What Moves the Church Forward?

Read Ephesians 1:1-14

 

The Apostle Paul wrote a powerful letter to the Church in Ephesus. In it, he described many characteristics of the Church’s identity and overall purpose. I believe that embedded in the first verses of this Letter, Paul introduced the driving force that propels the Church to fully realize its identity and fulfill its purpose: God’s Plan of Redemption, which was also the guiding light of Christ’s Mission. Verses 7-10 state that: “7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

Beloved, our Denomination stands at the threshold of a crucial time that will undoubtedly impact its future and its witness in the world. Next month, the United Methodist Church will hold a Special Called Session of the General Conference to consider different plans with the hope that one of them (or the combination of some) may move our Denomination forward.

As a voting Delegate to this General Conference, I want to let you know that my belief is that only God’s Plan of Redemption - evidenced in the Mission of Christ - is what can move the Church forward. Any other church plan pales in comparison with God’s Plan.

Therefore, in prayerful discernment, we, your Delegation, must approach this great responsibility to vote for plans that have been submitted or plans that can emerge from amendments or other procedural means NEVER losing sight of what moves the church forward: God’s Plan of Redemption.

At the end of the day, every local church and every clergy in our Denomination must embrace God’s Plan for Redemption and fulfill it through our lives and ministries as we advance the Mission of Christ in the world. Only then the United Methodist Church will be able to move forward!

 

Prayer: (From Ephesians 1:17-19)

¹⁷  I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,  ¹⁸  so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,  ¹⁹  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

In the Name of the One who will meet us in the future, Amen!

Hi friends in ministry, I want to share a wonderful (free!) resource for you and your congregation. The Missouri Conference is offering LEARN + LEAD webinars on Congregational Excellence every third Tuesday of the month, from 1-2pm CST. 

Upcoming webinars include: Small Groups 101 (January 15); How to Start a Recovery Ministry (February 19); Missional Community 101 (March 19); Starting a New Worship Service (April 16); Churches Planting Churches (May 21), and How to Start a New Church or Multisite (June 18).

 

I’ll be tuning in for several of these, and will share them with my staff members, as well. Visit the following page for Registration and more Click here

Blossom Matthews

Assistant Director of Congregational Vitality

First United Methodist Church of Lovington, announced they will serve as one of nearly 500 churches around the world already registered to host Night to Shine 2019, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, simultaneously on Friday, February 8 of next year. They have partnered with the Lea County Fairgrounds as hosts. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older, hosted by local churches in all 50 states and across the globe all on one night. First UMC and the Lea County Fair Grounds are excited to be a part of this worldwide movement that God is using as a catalyst to change how culture embraces people with special needs and to rally the church worldwide to stand up for those who are differently-abled.

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You will need your church financial reports to enter Statistical Church Data. Statistical Reports are due Wednesday, January 23, 2019 .

A common question is about username & password. Your username is your Church ID # and your password is your Account #. You may find these on any past statement. If you are still unsure, call Maryann at 505-255-8786 or email frontdesk@nmconfum.com. Please contact me if you need help. Thank you for your cooperation.

Griselda Sandoval

Treasurer/Statistician

gsandoval@nmconfum.com

505-255-8786, ext. 103

Daryl Junes-Joe is a member of the Navajo Nation from Shiprock, New Mexico. Junes-Joe spent years working as a Navajo Nation tribal prosecutor and as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Junes-Joe pictured a quiet retirement but God had other plans. Junes-Joe is a  United Methodist Women  National Board director; she  testified  on behalf of indigenous people at an EPA hearing in Washington, DC; and she is on the board of the United Methodist  General Commission on the Status and Role of Women .

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Save the Date for the Methodist's Children's Home Open House on February 7, 2019. Celebrate the new location from 4-6:00 pm. The new location is 3876 Masthead St. NE, ABQ, NM 87109. For more information, call 505-255-8740.