LEADERSHIP UPDATE of the Southeast Region

Volume 6, Issue 7 August 2011

Pastors: Please distribute this to your delegates, leaders & congregation

 

 

GC11 RECAP: THE NEW NORMAL

 

As a veteran of previous General Conferences, I can verify that GC11 delivered on its promise it certainly was NOT business as usual. There was a very high percentage of younger adults present, as had been encouraged. Delegates and gallery attendees were eager participants in the ministry brainstorming sessions on Wednesday & Thursday. Global Christian speakers from out side the FMC were brought in to teach / preach. Amazingly, all the General Conference administrative stuff got done quickly, so that maximum focus could be devoted to specific recommendations regarding internal health issues within our local congregations and more intentional outreach ministry to our neighborhoods and world.

 

Bishops David Kendall, David Roller and Matt Thomas were overwhelmingly re-elected for the next four years. This was a resounding affirmation that both clergy and laity approve of their bold approach to ministry. Bishop Matt Thomas will now serve as lead bishop.

 

In the coming months expect new mandates and resources which will help us personally and as congregations to live more fully as disciples of Jesus:

 

  • Interior life: spiritual disciplines and personal purity issues. Am I becoming more like Jesus?

 

  • Relational integrity: am I allowing a dysfunctional relationship to fester with a family member or friend, someone in my church family, a neighbor, or co-worker? If so, its time to deal with it.

 

  • Am I sharing my faith story with others? How am I a daily witness to others, living as salt & light?

 

  • What new missional outreach does God want me to take on? In what bold ways should my congregation be serving our neighborhood? our city? our world?

 

As we anticipate the future, our bishops are calling every believer and FM congregation to a new normal. Rather than simply being supportive churchmen and churchwomen (faithfully attending church every time the doors are open), they are challenging us to individually and collectively focus outside our church buildings and take on the mission of Jesus as our own (to seek and save that which is lost).

 

To introduce the new normal, every congregation is to view and discuss the GC11 main sessions this fall in Sunday school or small groups, evening services, wherever just view and discuss them! Order forms for hard copies of each DVD message will be available at www.fmcusa.org this week or next week (at cost fee), or you can download them for free: Listening guides of the bishops messages will also be posted:

 

  • Opening Session (Wednesday) Vision Casting by each of our 3 bishops

 

  • Are We Practicing a Whole or Hole Gospel? Richard Stearns, President of World Vision

 

  • Title unknown: glocal emphasis, Bob Roberts, Pastor of NorthWood Church in Dallas

 

  • We Are Not Whole, But We Can Be, Bishop David Roller

 

  • Who Do I Need to Be, to Do What God Wants Me to Do? Bishop Matt Thomas

 

  • Step Up to the Table, Bishop David Kendall

Supt. Darrel

 

 

 

 

HAVE YOU CHECKED THEM OUT YET?

 

 

         NEW MAGAZINE: LLM is the new, concise Light & Life Magazine. This monthly publication is printed in both English and Spanish; bulk copies are now sent directly to your church. LLM is also available for e-readers (Kindle, Nook, etc.). Taking only 20 minutes to completely read but worthy of much longer reflection its strategic topical articles are a great curriculum for small groups, Sunday PM or Wed PM. Read it, discuss it, apply it personally & as churches!

 

         NEW WEBSITE: www.FMCUSA.org: Have you gotten online yet to check out the new website features? This new site does it all:

Weekly denominational news updates

LLM (Light & Life Magazine)

FMWM site, including making on-line donations to missionaries, country shares, etc.

ICCM (International Childcare Ministries) site, including sponsorship & project donations

Connections to social networks for innovative ministry idea sharing

View and download denominational videos

 

         NEW APPS:: Free Methodist iPad, iPhone and Android apps are now available so you can quickly connect to the FMCUSA website.

 

 

 

OUR PRAYER for EACH CONGREGATION in our REGION:

 

May we be INWARDLY HEALTHY & OUTWARDLY FOCUSED congregations,

comprised of Spirit FILLED & SPILLED believers,

who work together to RIP THE ROOF whenever needed,

as we live out the EVERY PERSON DREAM.

 

August 2011

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE

AL-GA CONFERENCE

July 31 Aug 6

 

 

St. Pete: Cornerstone Community Ch

Pastors Rex & LaWanda Bullock

rex@tampabay.rr.com

 

Birmingham AL: Emmanuel

Pastor James Andy Bunn (Christi)

Bunn5@charter.net

Aug 7 - 13

 

Tampa: Celebration

Pastor Thad Roller (Nikki)

thadroller@gmail.com

 

Columbus GA: Christ Community Ch

Pastor Keith Cowart (Pam)

MProGuns@bellsouth.net

 

Aug 14 - 20

Tampa: Primera Iglesia Metodista Libre

Pastor Gonzalo Cruz (Sarah)

tampalibre@gmail.com

 

Fayetteville GA: Word of Life

Pastor Greg Nitchman (Jeanne)

gregwol@att.net

Aug 21 - 27

 

West Palm Beach: Brazilian

Pastors Roberto & Dalzira Oliveira

freemethodistpastor@yahoo.com

 

Macon GA: First

Pastor Eric Newman (Nancy)

enewman@docoschools.org

 

Aug 28 Sep 3

 

 

West Palm Beach: Hope Fellowship

Pastor Jon Howery (Beverly)

jhowery@gohcc.org

 

Newnan GA: Browns Mill CP

Pastor Timothy Coleman (Nicole)

timcolement@brownsmillchurch.com

 

PARTNER with our SOUTHEAST REGION MISSIONARIES:

 

Josh & Susy Fajardo (Spain) JFajardoM@aol.com

 

Mike & Maria Long (Greece) Longmm@the.forthnet.gr

 

Jack Munos (Haiti) haiti4christjak@yahoo.com

 

Rick & Cookie Ireland (Haiti) rick.ireland@yahoo.com

 

 

 

INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCE NEWS

 

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE:

(Click here for South Atlantic Conference web calendar)

 

 

CONFERENCE UPDATES:

 

Youth Camp Report: Thank you for your prayer support! We know of at least two first time commitments to accept Christ! We also know there were several other decisions and recommitments made at camp. It was a powerful time, seeing the Holy Spirit work in the lives of over 100 students! Please continue to pray for our campers, that they would keep their commitments, and continue to strive to bridge the gap! Genniser

 

CALENDAR:

 

Fri Sat, Aug 5 6: SAC Cabinet Overnight Retreat at Lakeland Park

Pray for District Leaders, BOA members, and all district and conference MEG-MAC members as they gather for prayer and planning. Included will be General Conference 2011 updates, as well as SAC ministry initiatives for this coming school year.

 

Thurs, Aug 18: Mentor Training Day at Asbury Seminary, Orlando 9:00am 2:00pm.

Whether you are officially serving as a mentor to a Conference Ministerial Candidate (CMC) or want to be more effective in any current or potential mentoring situation, this free day of training will explore the facets of Spiritual Mentoring and provide specialized breakout sessions. Free lunch included. Register with Ms. Lisa Perez at 407-482-7567 or lisa.perez@asburyseminary.edu. (ATS: 8401 Valencia College Lane Orlando FL 32825)

 

 

 

FALL REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT LOCATIONS:

Bring your Summer Trimester On Purpose Report (May August review)

 

Sat, Aug 27 Central FL (9:30am - lunch) Orlando First Spanish

 

Sat, Sept 10 South FL (9:30am lunch) Hialeah: Ministerios Nueva Vision

 

Sat, Oct 8: West Coast FL Celebration Gathering at Lake Seminole Park, 10015 Park

Blvd (74th Ave N. Seminole, FL 33777). Come share your stories and lunch!

 

 

 

Tues Wed, Oct 4 - 5: Southeast USA MISSIO INTENSIVE

Missio Intensives are a guided working lab to help your church find the balance of meaningful gatherings and scattered incarnational communities. The Missio Intensive is being hosted by Browns Mill Community Church in Newnan GA, a FM Church Plant. Limit: 200. Read more about it at www.missio.us.

 

Fri-Sat, Oct 28-29: RIP FEST 3: ING!

Featured speaker for this SAC-wide event is Bishop Roller at St. Pete: Cornerstone.

ING! is a verb, indicating that the subject is actively doing something, Bishop Roller will encourage and inspire us personally and as congregations to be actively missional, reaching out to those in our neighborhoods (locally), those who are different from us (a specific need group in your region), and those who are geographically far away (globally).

 

 

INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCE NEWS

 

AL-GA MISSION CONFERENCE:

(Click here for Alabama Georgia Conference web calendar)

 

 

CONFERENCE CLERGY UPDATES:

Best wishes to CMC Herisse Morisset and fianc Mercedes who will be married at McEachern Memorial UMC in Powder Springs GA on Saturday, July 13 at 4:00pm.

 

Fri Sun, Aug 19 - 21: GEORGIA Weekend with Supt. Riley:

Fri, Aug 19: GA District Pastors Mtg, 9am lunch at Columbus: Christ Community

Sat, Aug 20: Supt Darrel meets individually with GA pastors

Sun, Aug 21: Installation of Pastor Eric Newman at Macon First, 11am

 

Sat, Sept 24: FALL RALLY DAY: ING!

Bishop Roller will speak to all AL-GA congregations at Christ Community Church in Columbus GA. ING! is a verb, indicating that the subject is actively doing something, Bishop Roller will encourage and inspire us personally and as congregations to be actively missional, reaching out to those in our neighborhoods (locally), those who are different from us (a specific need group in your region), and those who are geographically far away (globally). This is a must attend event for all pastors, delegates and lay leaders. Dont come alone; pack a van!

 

Tues Wed, Oct 4 - 5: Southeast USA MISSIO INTENSIVE

Missio Intensives are a guided working lab to help your church find the balance of meaningful gatherings and scattered incarnational communities. The Missio Intensive is being hosted by Browns Mill Community Church in Newnan GA, a FM Church Plant. Limit: 200. Read more about it at www.missio.us

 

Thurs, Oct 6: MISSIO DEBRIEF

Pastors attending the Missio Intensive are encouraged to stay over Wednesday night, and gather with Supt. Riley to debrief the experience together Thursday AM.

 

 

GULF COAST CONFERENCE:

(Click here for Gulf Coast Conference web calendar)

 

Reflections on GC11:

Ministry groups, composed of GC delegates & attendees, truly listened for the voice of God. In my group, we gave direction to the Bishops and BOA to re-examine our reporting systems to reflect the various ministries that take place every day through every FM church simply because we are imitators of Christ. Whether small or large, each congregation is God-empowered to offer God's saving grace to their part of the world. This was truly a unique General Conference! Monty Bower

 

Sat, Oct 1: FALL RALLY DAY: ING!

Its going to be an incredible event for all GCC churches. Put it on your church calendars now! ING! is a verb, indicating that the subject is actively doing something, Bishop Roller will encourage and inspire us personally and as congregations to be actively missional:

reaching out to 1) those in our neighborhoods (locally), 2) those who are different from us (a specific need group in your region), and 3) those who are geographically far away (globally). This is a must attend event for all pastors, delegates and lay leaders. Pack a van!