United Methodists invited to join teleconference on church
Apr. 10, 2007
NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - United Methodists are invited to join in an April 17 town hall meeting to discuss how the church is impacting the world and where the denomination is headed.
Titled "Celebrating A Generous Church!" the teleconference will begin at 2 p.m. Central time.
It will bring together leaders from several church agencies to discuss findings from a new report, "This is Our Story," produced by the General Council on Finance and Administration. The report offers a statistical look at the church today using data compiled by the council's Analysis and Research Office.
The agency leaders also will talk about four "provocative propositions" - leadership development, congregational development, ministry with the poor and global health - around which the church will focus in the next four years. In addition, participants will hear stories about how United Methodist churches are having an impact in the world.
"The United Methodist Church is working together - congregations, annual conferences, agencies, and bishops - in new and exciting ways to reach out and touch people in the name of Jesus Christ," said Sandra Lackore, top executive of the General Council on Finance and Administration in Nashville. "We're seeing a renewed commitment to supporting ministries across the church."
The provocative propositions were developed by the general agencies and commissions in support of the United Methodist Council of Bishops' vision pathways. The four proposals represent areas where the boards and agencies will work collaboratively in new ways to focus the church's spiritual and financial resources.
The April 17 event will include an interactive question-and-answer session with the audience and panelists.
Listeners are encouraged to congregate in small groups to participate in the call, then possibly have their own discussion afterwards. Individuals may also join in the teleconference.
Top staff executives from several United Methodist agencies will be participating. In addition to Lackore, they will include:
* The Rev. Jerome King Del Pino, Board of Higher Education and Ministry; * The Rev. R. Randy Day, Board of Global Ministries; * The Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, Board of Discipleship; * The Rev. Larry Hollon, United Methodist Communications; and * Jim Winkler, Board of Church and Society.
To join the teleconference, call toll-free 1-800-868-1846 and enter participant code 63761235. More information is available by contacting Diane Denton, United Methodist Communications, at (615) 742-5406, or Marsha Base, the General Council on Finance and Administration, at (615) 329-3393.
Details also are available online at umc.org/townhall. The teleconference will be archived at the site.
This report is based on a press release from United Methodist Communications and the General Council on Finance and Administration. United Methodist News Service is a unit of United Methodist Communications.
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United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org
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