Lay Leader Report

Continuing last month’s discussion, Thursday of 2011 Annual Conference at Grove city College began with a Worship Service led by over 50 youth and held outside in the Student Union Court Yard. It was very exciting and spiritually moving. Following worship, I attended my second Lay Academy. It was entitled Social Media and the Church. Examples were given how Facebook, Twitter, Linked in and Blogging, among others, are fundamentally changing the way individuals and organizations communicate responsibly. Incorporating some of these changes in technology which have occurred over the last 15 years into our church activities can improve communications and even reach those unable to come to church as well as the unchurched. For example, Corry UMC has been very proactive in using social media in its operations. They use Skype to transmit Sunday Services to shut-ins and to college students who are away from home. They even use Paypal for those who desire to contribute gifts during service format.

 

After the Lay Academy, Bishop Thomas Bickerton gave his address to conference participants on the state of the church. It was quite revealing and sobering. I urge you to read his address in its entirety on the WPAUMC website. Two years ago at AC, I attended a session on what churches need to change in order to survive.  It was a session offered on the last day of AC, near its end and held in a remote location. It almost seemed as though the session was an afterthought. This year Bishop Bickerton’s address focused on the need for the church to change in order to survive. We can’t just do what we’ve been doing and expect to survive. We need to meet human needs. Young adults are less interested in church doctrine and seek opportunities to worship, serve and become part of a nurturing community that cares deeply for one another. What is right about the church is you. But, we need to change. We need to spend less time going to meetings and spend more time focusing on meeting human needs. Together we can change and survive. I eagerly await the recommendations of the discipline 213 study for Stone UMC to see what we need to do to continue being a functional church.   Dwight Haas recently reminded me that one of his favorite chapters in the Bible is I Corinthians 13. It emphasizes faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love. Let’s continue to do the work of the church in a loving way. See you Sunday!