wfn.org | Pledge To Church Development

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (140
notes).

Note 140 by UMNS on June 4, 1997 at 15:59 Eastern (2949 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                           328(10-21-71B){140}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470              June 4, 1997

Missouri couple making unusual
gift for new church development

by John Stein*

     KANSAS CITY, Mo.(UMNS) -- A United Methodist couple attending
the annual session of the denomination's Missouri West Annual
Conference May 28 made a $50,000 a year promise. 
     Adrian and Margaret Harmon, members of First United Methodist
Church, Warrensburg, Mo., promised that for the rest of their
lives they will donate annually $50,000 to the conference for
congregational development. 
     They also promised that at their deaths an additional
one-time gift of $500,000 will be made to provide a resource for
congregational development for generations.
     "They've caught the spirit of evangelism," observed the Rev.
Richard Curry, pastor of First Church.
     The Harmons, former bankers and mortgage brokers, received a
rousing ovation as Missouri Bishop Ann B. Sherer, presiding over
the conference session, accepted a check for more than $50,000.
     "This money will serve us as long as God gives us time and
history," said the Rev. Keith Maxwell, executive director of the
Missouri United Methodist Foundation.  The Foundation will manage
the gift for the conference.
     A recent conversation with Sherer helped spark the
Harmons' decision, Adrian said.  "I looked the Bishop in the eyes
and said Bishop Ann, where do you need money the most?"
"Congregational development" was her response.
     That posed no problem for the Harmons. They recognize the
importance of starting new churches and renewing those that are
struggling. They are confident the money will be used
appropriately. 
     "I think United Methodism has a good system," Adrian said.
"You don't have to worry about funds you give here getting away."
     Congregational Development ministries in the Missouri West
Conference have met with measurable success. Since a focused
effort began in 1987, there has been an increase in average
worship attendance seven of the last nine years.
     There have been nearly 2,000 new Christians by profession of
faith -- 496 in 1996 alone. There is marked evidence that younger
generations are being reached in greater numbers; churches started
in the last 10 years have rolls combining to show 1,338 children
in 6th grade or younger. Reductions in membership loss also are
striking. From 1980-1987, membership loss in the conference
averaged about 1,000 people a year. From 1987-1996, membership
losses dropped to 731 a year; in 1996, the loss was 273. 
                              #  #  #

     *Stein is the director of communications for the Missouri
West United Methodist Annual Conference.       

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