United Methodist clergy from across the SC Conference met this week at Springmaid Beach for the Bishop's School of Ministry. This annual event combines learning and fellowship effectively for many. However, when one lives nearby and tries to participate in this event and to do regular church responsibilities, it means stress instead of relaxation. But, I did enjoy some special moments with my colleagues and the thoughts expressed by some of the speakers. So now I am pondering as to whether we create a culture within our churches that nurtures the faith of young people or do we just expect a set apart program to do this? Are we just reactive agents of mercy or are we proactive agents of change? I will have to work forever, because I will never understand the retirement process of the UMC. Although it is easy to complain and whine about our churches and governing structure, there are lots of good things happening in United Methodism.
Other items of interest this week have included learning that child mortality is at record low according to a recent article in the New York Times, reading a new blog by my clergy friend, Stephen Taylor and thinking about one of Will Willimon's latest posts about church growth.
It has been a good week. Now I have got to make sure we are ready for Sunday morning happenings.
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“As American congregations become increasingly populated by women,” the report says, “those congregations that are able to even out the proportions of males and females are those most likely to grow.” RNS
I thought this observaton might prompt us to work on getting a few more adult men to become part of FUMC.
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