The commission supports our annual conference as we respond together to Jesus’ challenge to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Our congregational responses reflect the diversity of the people called United Methodists and the geography we are called to serve. Many congregations are deployed to serve rural communities and small towns that are rapidly becoming urban and suburban centers. Today about half of the people called Methodist in our annual conference worship in 120 of our 840+ churches – this is a shift we are still trying to understand.
This year we continue to invite our conference to substantially increase membership in the Ten Dollar Club. This 50-year-old venture in our conference provides grants to start new ministries across the state and launch missions in other nations as well. We hold before the annual conference an ongoing goal of starting 5 new churches annually, utilizing the resources made available from Ten Dollar Club grants and other investments held by the Commission. In the coming years this will require a greater commitment from the Commission as we move to start new churches in areas where start-up costs are pushing beyond the reach of our current funding processes. To this end we are supporting the emerging work of the Congregational Development Fund, Inc. as it engages in a campaign to provide an increase in support to new faith communities.
As we ponder the changes in North Carolina’s cultural climate, we are reminded of the challenge to each of us to reach people for Jesus Christ. Jesus’ commission to make disciples of all nations call us beyond the bounds of who we used to encounter a new reality for many of our churches – the nations have come to our backyard. We celebrate the growth in membership, worship and Sunday school attendance in many of our churches. The Office of Congregational Development continues to assist nearly 100 churches each year. The assistance provided includes demographic research, local consultations, training and planning services for existing congregations. We are excited about the Wake Circles of Ministry in the Raleigh District and the launching of community ministry centers in the Rocky Mount District. These initiatives are in response to our bishop’s challenge to open 20 new faith communities in places affected by poverty by the year 2004.
Again, the work of the Office and Commission on Congregational Development is varied as we seek to serve rural, small town, suburban and urban churches in various socio-economic situations and cultural traditions, offering to each one the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers and your support.
Wm. Allen Bingham, Chairperson
Pastor's Report for Pinehurst UMC (2003)
dorean elabote, dorean dote. Given Gifts – Give Gifts. (Matthew 10:8b).
I offer this phrase, the motto of the Theological School of Drew University, as my mission statement. As a person called by God and ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church, I am privileged to employ my gifts among the Methodists – both saints and sinners – of Pinehurst, North Carolina.
As a newcomer to this community of faith, I can only limited observations about our life together. I celebrate the spirit of God that is evident in the body of Christ here in Pinehurst and pray that we will continue to lean into God’s future for this church. I find myself learning a new style of working among the God’s people. Scripturally I find myself challenged by Paul to live into his call for the pastor “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (see Ephesians 4:11). I am committed to setting each of us free for ministry in this place. To this end I am trying to spend more time with God and others in prayer and discernment about what God is already doing in the Sandhills and how we can respond to that call. As I seek to know Jesus more and the details of the church’s life less I sometimes like I am just muddling through. In those moments I find strength in the apostle Paul’s willingness “to become all things to all people so that by all means some might be saved” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
I recently reviewed Albert Outler’s in (1996). Albert Outler noted that our task in ministry is always three-fold (see pp. 65-66): (1) announcing the coming of Christ (see Mark 16:15), (2) witnessing by our actions and words to God’s love (see Acts 1:8), and (3) living as servants together (see John 13). The problem for Outler’s day and our own is that often settle for living together in community and struggle with our announcing and witnessing ministries with the least, the last, and the lost of Jesus’ sisters and brothers. Rich Mullins reminds me that “faith without works is a song you can’t sing … it’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.” As we seek to enhance our fellowship together, let us never lose our resolve to reach out to the “Lost in America” beginning with the 20,000 persons who reside within 5 miles of this place (see Tom Clegg, Lost in America, 2001).
Our lay leadership development team comes to you offering a simpler slate of officers – a chance
for God to breathe fresh air into our predictability. In the coming year we will invite more folks to live into a model of ministry where calling, equipping, and sending sets the tempo for our life together. This will be a struggle as we move beyond our comfort zone to a passion driven and gift-based model for discerning and equipping each of us for the work of ministry. Expanding our current ministries has already brought other issues to light. Fifteen months after moving into this space we find ourselves expanding beyond the walls of existing classroom space and needing to invent and reinvent church school for young and old alike.
I cannot finish without a word of gratitude to Glenda Clendenin, Lucy Achuff, and Merry Glass who have helped me learn how to shuffle the paperwork and ride the unpredictable carousel of this church. They possess grace in uncertain moments, wisdom in the face of confusion, and confidence to tame my not so humble nature. To their names, I add the great blessing I receive from working with my colleagues Lovell and Barbara Aills, Jean Arthur, Bob and Inez Bundy, Bruce and Jean Carlson, Betsy Kugel, and Ronda and Eric Torres. Their wisdom goes with me to the broader Methodist connection where I serve as the chairperson of our conference’s Commission on Congregational Development and share in our conference’s visioning by sitting at the Conference Connectional Table. I especially give thanks for Cindy, Ann and William – my God-given family – they are God’s breath of fresh air every day. Finally, I am blessed to live and work among the saints and sinners of Pinehurst United Methodist Church.
Congregational Development Report to the 2003 NC Annual Conference
The commission supports our annual conference as we respond to Jesus’ challenge to be “my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Our response reflects the diversity of the people called United Methodists and the geography we are called to serve. Many of our congregations are deployed to serve rural communities and small towns that are being transformed before our eyes into urban and suburban centers. This is why about half of the people called Methodist in our annual conference now worship in just 120 of our 800+ churches that typically average 175 or more in worship each weekend.
In the next year we will challenge our conference to substantially increase our membership in the “Ten Dollar Club.” This 50 year old venture in our conference provides grants to start new ministries across the state and launch missions in other nations as well. We hold before the annual conference an ongoing goal of starting 5 new churches annually utilizing the resources made available from Ten Dollar Club moneys and other investments held by the commission. In the coming years this will require a greater commitment from the commission as we move to start new churches in areas where start-up costs are pushing beyond the reach of our current funding processes. To this end we are supporting the emerging work of the Congregational
Development Foundation, Inc. as it engages in a capital campaign that we hope will provide a ten-fold increase in the support to new faith communities.
As we ponder the changes in North Carolina’s cultural climate we are reminded of the challenge to reach people for Jesus Christ. Jesus’ commission to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth” remains, even as persons from “the ends of the earth” have moved into our neighborhood. We celebrate the growth in membership, and worship and Sunday school attendance in many of our churches. The Office of Congregational Development continues to consult with nearly 100 churches each year. The assistance provided includes demographic research, local consultations, training and planning services for existing congregations. We are excited about the Hispanic Circles of Ministry in Wake County and the launching of community ministry centers in the Rocky Mount District. These initiatives are in response to our bishop’s challenge to open 20 new faith communities in places affected poverty by the year 2004.
Again, the work of the Office and Commission on Congregational Development is varied as we seek to serve rural, small town, suburban and urban churches in various socio-economic situations and cultural traditions, offering to each one the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers and your support.
Wm. Allen Bingham, Chairperson
In the next year we will challenge our conference to substantially increase our membership in the “Ten Dollar Club.” This 50 year old venture in our conference provides grants to start new ministries across the state and launch missions in other nations as well. We hold before the annual conference an ongoing goal of starting 5 new churches annually utilizing the resources made available from Ten Dollar Club moneys and other investments held by the commission. In the coming years this will require a greater commitment from the commission as we move to start new churches in areas where start-up costs are pushing beyond the reach of our current funding processes. To this end we are supporting the emerging work of the Congregational
Development Foundation, Inc. as it engages in a capital campaign that we hope will provide a ten-fold increase in the support to new faith communities.
As we ponder the changes in North Carolina’s cultural climate we are reminded of the challenge to reach people for Jesus Christ. Jesus’ commission to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth” remains, even as persons from “the ends of the earth” have moved into our neighborhood. We celebrate the growth in membership, and worship and Sunday school attendance in many of our churches. The Office of Congregational Development continues to consult with nearly 100 churches each year. The assistance provided includes demographic research, local consultations, training and planning services for existing congregations. We are excited about the Hispanic Circles of Ministry in Wake County and the launching of community ministry centers in the Rocky Mount District. These initiatives are in response to our bishop’s challenge to open 20 new faith communities in places affected poverty by the year 2004.
Again, the work of the Office and Commission on Congregational Development is varied as we seek to serve rural, small town, suburban and urban churches in various socio-economic situations and cultural traditions, offering to each one the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers and your support.
Wm. Allen Bingham, Chairperson
Pastor's Report for Nashville UMC (2002)
dorean elabote, dorean dote. Given Gifts – Give Gifts. (Matthew 10:8b).
I continue to offer this simple phrase, the motto of the Theological School of Drew University, as my personal mission statement. As a person called by God and ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church, I am privileged to employ my gifts among the Methodists of Nashville, North Carolina.
I invited us a year ago to take a moment’s breath as we were launching a process that involved building a 14,500 square foot addition and renovating another 16,000 square feet. We now desire to move now into the sanctuary to renovate that space in a manner that is compatible with its great history. Our sanctuary is well-prayed and well-worshipped space and our mothers and fathers call us to finish the work. I pray that our sanctuary team will be able to help us discern a common vision for preparing that space for another century of service on behalf of God’s soon-coming kingdom.
A year later I confess to being short of breath. I find myself in the middle of wrestling with a new manner of working among the saints and sinners of this church. I am committed to setting us free for ministry in this place. As I seek to know Jesus more and the details of the church’s life less I find the journey difficult, but I find strength in the apostle Paul’s willingness “to become all things to all people so that by all means some might be saved” (1 Cor. 9:22). I commend Ann Collier for being willing to lead a new adventure of all our church leaders meeting to discuss the work of the church, breaking into teams and committees for continued work, and returning to say “amen” together – the trick is that we hope to do all of this in one night a month. I lift prayers of thanksgiving for Ann, Gary Helms, Matt Brown, Lynn & Ellen Ward, Cindy Pike, and Rita Bennett as they work to flesh out how we can grow and function as the body of Christ in ministry together.
I reviewed again the words of Albert Outler in Evangelism & Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit (1996). Our lay leadership development team comes to you offering a simpler slate of officers – a chance for God to breathe fresh air into our predictability. This model of calling, equipping, and sending setting the tempo for our life continues to be a struggle – the work of putting this building is place has been all-consuming. Albert Outler noted that our task is always three-fold (see pp. 65-66): (1) announcing the coming of Christ (see Mark 16:15), (2) witnessing by our actions and words to God’s love (see Acts 1:8), and (3) living as servants together (see John 13). The problem for Outler’s day and our own is that living together – not calling, equipping, and sending saints into ministry – is often all we are willing to do in response to God’s great love for us. Rich Mullins reminds us that “faith without works is a song you can’t sing … it’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.” Let us never lose our resolve to reach out to the “Lost in America” beginning with the 15,000 persons in the 27856 zip code (see Tom Clegg, Lost in America, 2001).
Within the Methodist connection I continue in service as the Chairperson of our Conference’s Commission on Congregational Development. I finished a two year term of leadership in the Residency In Ordained Ministry program and I give thanks for the seven sisters and brothers who are now elders in full connection within The United Methodist Church.
I cannot finish without saying a word of gratitude to Scott Smallwood, Cindy Pike, Tom Parker, and now Rita Bennett, Jim Boehm, and Joanna Mercer. They keep my humble with their comments and with their willingness to serve Christ in this place. For Denise Calloway and Jenna Rae Migdon I give thanks as they continue to build a stronger day care ministry for pre-school and after school children in this place. To Becky Lockwood and Tara Williams in our office I also give thanks. To their names, I add the great blessing I receive from retired colleagues Lester and Henrietta Jackson and Sidney and Katherine Boone. I give God thanks for Cindy, Ann and William – they are God’s breath of fresh air every day of my life. Finally, I am truly blessed to live and work among the saints and sinners of Nashville United Methodist Church and the community we serve.
Congregational Development Report to the 2002 NC Annual Conference
The Commission on Congregational Development seeks to support our annual conference in responding to Jesus’ challenge to be “my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Our response necessarily reflects the diversity of our churches of the people called Methodists and the geographical area we are called to serve. Many of our congregations were founded to serve in ministry in a rural and small town state that is transforming into an urban and suburban centers. This results in half of our annual conference membership now worshiping in only 120 of our 840 churches. These 120 churches typically average 175 or more in worship on a typical weekend.
We continue to hold before the annual conference a goal of starting 5 new churches each year. Many of us now realize that this is a break-even proposition for the conference as a whole. Our worship attendance each week across the annual conference has grown from 72,794 in 1990 to 83,742 in 2000, a 15% increase, while North Carolina’s population has increased over 20% in the same time period. Further, the addition of 29 new churches over the past seven years has resulted in most of the growth in worship attendance experienced in the annual conference. We are also especially excited about the formation of the Wake Circles of Hispanic Ministry in Wake County and the launching of community ministry centers in the Rocky Mount District. This is in response to our bishop’s challenge to open 20 new faith communities in places affected by poverty by the year 2004. We encourage our annual conference to maintain these commitments to growth affirmed by the 2001 Annual Conference.
The Office of Congregational Development continues to consult with nearly 100 churches each year. The assistance provided includes demographic research, local consultations, training and planning services for already existing congregations. The office is now leading our conference in two important initiatives for the coming year. The first is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Ten Dollar Club. This long-term commitment to new church development has contributed to the launching of 80 churches that currently constitute over 15% of our membership. We hope to substantially increase the numbers of people committed to making new church development a priority in their giving. The second is to undergird the emerging work of the Congregational Development Fund. We hope to realize a ten-fold increase in the investment funds available to support formation of new faith communities. This funding should support future growth among the people called Methodist in eastern North Carolina.
The work of the Office and Commission on Congregational Development is multifaceted as we seek to serve rural, small town, suburban and urban churches, in a variety of socio-economic situations, within varied cultural traditions, offering to each one the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers and your support.
Wm. Allen Bingham, Chairperson
We continue to hold before the annual conference a goal of starting 5 new churches each year. Many of us now realize that this is a break-even proposition for the conference as a whole. Our worship attendance each week across the annual conference has grown from 72,794 in 1990 to 83,742 in 2000, a 15% increase, while North Carolina’s population has increased over 20% in the same time period. Further, the addition of 29 new churches over the past seven years has resulted in most of the growth in worship attendance experienced in the annual conference. We are also especially excited about the formation of the Wake Circles of Hispanic Ministry in Wake County and the launching of community ministry centers in the Rocky Mount District. This is in response to our bishop’s challenge to open 20 new faith communities in places affected by poverty by the year 2004. We encourage our annual conference to maintain these commitments to growth affirmed by the 2001 Annual Conference.
The Office of Congregational Development continues to consult with nearly 100 churches each year. The assistance provided includes demographic research, local consultations, training and planning services for already existing congregations. The office is now leading our conference in two important initiatives for the coming year. The first is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Ten Dollar Club. This long-term commitment to new church development has contributed to the launching of 80 churches that currently constitute over 15% of our membership. We hope to substantially increase the numbers of people committed to making new church development a priority in their giving. The second is to undergird the emerging work of the Congregational Development Fund. We hope to realize a ten-fold increase in the investment funds available to support formation of new faith communities. This funding should support future growth among the people called Methodist in eastern North Carolina.
The work of the Office and Commission on Congregational Development is multifaceted as we seek to serve rural, small town, suburban and urban churches, in a variety of socio-economic situations, within varied cultural traditions, offering to each one the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers and your support.
Wm. Allen Bingham, Chairperson
Pastor's Report for Nashville UMC (2001)
dorean elabote, dorean dote. Given Gifts – Give Gifts. (Matthew 10:8b).
I continue to offer this simple phrase, the motto of the Theological School of Drew University, as my personal mission statement. As a person called by God and ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church, I am privileged to employ my gifts among the Methodists of Nashville, North Carolina.
I have been reviewing several texts from my library over the last few weeks. The concise words of Albert Outler in Evangelism & Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit (1996) have been especially informative. His 1971 Denman Lectures in Evangelism, which constitute the first portion of this book, are as apt a description of the church and our cultural milieu as any contemporary work (even post-September11, 2001). As we stand literally poised to build a 14,500 square foot – if can you call that an “addition” – and renovate another 16,000 square feet, I think we need to pause for a moment’s breath.
Once again, our lay leadership team comes to you offering a simpler slate of officers – a chance for God to breath fresh air into our predictability. This model of nurture, outreach, and witness setting the tempo for our life rather than finances and building policies will continue to be a struggle. Albert Outler noted that the church’s task is always three-fold (see pp. 65-66): (1) announcing the coming of Christ (see Mark 16:15 – go therefore into all of the world and preach (herald) the gospel to every creature), (2) witnessing by our actions and words to God’s love (see Acts 1:8 – you shall (must) be my martyrs (witnesses) – in Jerusalem and in all Judeo and away to the ends of the earth), and (3) live as servants together (see John 13 – If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example; you are to do as I have done for you). This is probably the best scriptural grounding for the nurture, outreach, and witness model of ministry. The problem for Outler’s church and our own is that nurturing one another is often as far as we are willing to go in responding to God. Living as servants of the living God is difficult and yet Rich Mullins reminds us that “faith without works is a song you can’t sing … its about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.”
Another breath that I am seeking in this moment is the Spirit’s breath. That breath comes when we ask not what are we doing, but rather ponder what is God doing and how can we become part of that movement. For me the moment of the Spirit’s renewal came as I reread the gospel account of the bent-over woman that Jesus heals on the Sabbath … in the synagogue … with everybody watching … and dares to call a “daughter of Abraham” … (see Luke 13:10-17). Jesus reminded me that I am called to preach good news – news that says that bent-over folk can stand stall when healing comes and we call them by their name – sons and daughters of Abraham, brother and sister of Christ, children of God. I find myself needing to revamp what I am doing in ministry and so I asked our District Superintendent Charles M. Smith if I could start my six-year tenure now, as we break ground for the future.
Within the Methodist connection I continue in service on the Conference Commission on Congregational Development. I also host a group of probationary members of our annual conference in the Residency In Ordained Ministry program. The past year’s journey with the company of fresh-thinking sisters and brothers in the Reynolds program in church leadership will bear continuing fruit in ministry.
I cannot finish without saying a word of gratitude to Scott Smallwood, Cindy Pike, and now Tom Parker. They keep my humble with their comments and with their willingness to serve Christ in this place. For Denise Calloway and Debbie Pridgen I give thanks as they have forged a stronger day care ministry in this place. To Becky Lockwood and Tara Williams, partners in crime in our church office, I give thanks. Their work in moving us across the street to the Cockrell House is a work of wonder. To their names, I add the great blessing I receive from retired colleagues Lester and Henrietta Jackson and Sidney and Katherine Boone. I give God thanks for Cindy, Ann and William – they are God’s breath of fresh air every day of my life. Finally, I am truly blessed to live and work among the saints and sinners of Nashville United Methodist Church and the community we serve.
Pastor's Report for Nashville UMC (2000)
dorean elabote, dorean dote. Given Gifts – Give Gifts. (Matthew 10:8b).
This is the motto of the Theological School of Drew University. A year ago I offered this as my personal mission statement. As a person called by God and ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church, I am privileged to employ my gifts among a people growing in faith, in fellowship, in service, and in Christ.
This year I offer the following statement from Paul as a tentative new direction for the life of this church. Paul writes to Christians of Ephesus: “The gifts [Jesus] gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). The insight that haunts my prayers of late is that the leaders of the church (me) are called to equip the saints (us) for the work of ministry. Since Paul used the greeting saints to greet Christian communities throughout his ministry we know in the core of our being that we are each called to a particular ministry in God’s soon-coming kingdom. In addition, I must, as the pastor of this church, recommit myself to the work of teaching and equipping God’s people for ministry. For all of us this is a journey out of the safe territory of playing church to being the church.
What will this look like? I do not know specifically. I asked the Nominations and Personnel committee to appoint many of you to the administrative board as at-large members. Why? The first reason is simple; it will be easier for me to ask you to find a specific ministry on your own rather than to choose one for you. Working with a particular ministry, within or without the walls of the church, will be an expectation for members of our administrative board. The second reason is that many of us need to dream, pray, envision and together carefully discern God’s future in this community. Mike Slaughter challenged us on Monday to be able to answer three questions: 1) What is our business, 2) who is our customer, and 3) what does our customer consider of value? Tonight we must confess that we do not have corporate answers for these questions – our future depends on what we wrestle with God as we seek to answer these questions.
We proclaim two important victories for our congregation for this past year. Tara Williams has reported on the heroic effort to help almost 50 families recover from the flooding associated with Hurricane Floyd. Secondly, our NEW BEGINNINGS worship celebration is launched with an average attendance of 115 after six months. Our traditional service is being rethought in these months and we anticipate growth in both celebrations in the coming year. Our current average worship attendance is 224 for the year and 248 for the fall quarter. Our goal is a worship attendance averaging at least 278 for the coming year. This will put on track with those who twenty years ago created the educational space for a growing faith community.
Within the Methodist connection I serve on the Conference Commission on Congregational Development. I worked with Steve Compton, Branson Sheets, and RockFish <>< to host a conference on starting new worship services. With Jim Boehm and Anne King, I taught DISCIPLE I Bible Study at Fountain Correctional Institute this past year. I will serve as the spiritual director for a Chrysalis flight in January. I especially look forward to my work in the Reynolds program in church leadership in the coming year.
We welcomed Scott Smallwood home this year and I pray for the moments – maybe only fifteen months from now – when Scott will stand as a full-time colleague in ministry. I count it a blessing to have Scott share in the leaning into the yoke of obedience that is our mutual calling from God. Cindy Pike brings energy and almost reckless abandonment to her work as minister of youth and education. Joan Pate is making headway as she tackles two issues – gaining strength in the traditional musical arts while learning on the fly the multi-disciplinary tasks of leading our worship life.
Cindy, Ann, William and I are blessed to serve in ministry with Scott, Kathy, Andy, and Katie Smallwood, Cindy, Bob, Casey, Bryce, and Aaron Pike and Joan, Bob, Rob, and Sara Pate. To their names, I add the great blessing I receive from retired colleagues Lester and Henrietta Jackson and Sidney and Katherine Boone.
I am truly blessed to live and work among the saints and sinners of Nashville United Methodist Church and the community we serve.
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