wfn.org | National conference will focus on changing communities

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Feb. 8, 2002 News media contact: Linda Green7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
10-31-71B{046}

By United Methodist News Service

Windsor Village United Methodist Church, the denomination's largest U.S.
congregation, will share its experience in transforming communities by
hosting a nationwide conference this spring.

Up to 500 United Methodists and leaders of other traditions and nonprofit
organizations are expected to attend the April 4-6 eChurch2002 Ministry
Conference to network and gather resources for changing their communities.  

EChurch is a "teaching-church" initiative of Windsor Village in Houston that
will provide opportunities to increase the effectiveness of churches,
pastors and ministry volunteers, said the Rev. Robert Johnson, leader of the
initiative and the church's senior associate pastor. 

The conference is planned as a learning and networking opportunity for
churches "to increase their effectiveness in getting God's people mobilized
for ministry" and "to increase their effectiveness in leading churches to
get involved in building and transforming communities for the glory of God,"
Johnson said.

Windsor Village's partners in the conference are the United Methodist
Communities of Shalom Zone program of the New York-based United Methodist
Board of Global Ministries, the Texas Annual Conference's Office of
Spiritual Formation and the Urban Church Network of the Dallas-based
Leadership Network. 

Presentations on issues of leadership will provided by the Rev. Kirbyjon
Caldwell, pastor of the 14,300-member Windsor Village congregation;
economist and columnist Julianne Malveaux; Houston Texans owner Bob McNair;
and former NFL player Reggie White. More than 10 workshops will be offered.

"The sanctuary must be taken into the streets in order for the church to be
relevant in the 21st century," said Caldwell, also author of the Gospel of
Good Success. With that focus, eChurch is a way for Windsor Village to share
its knowledge, inspire through its stories and teach and inform those who
have their own "kingdom-building visions," he said.

"Good success is not success by worldly, secular standards," Johnson said.
"It is the success that God promised Joshua in Joshua 1:1-9 that means being
able to accomplish your God-given mission." Windsor Village is in this
sharing mode because "we believe that we can inspire and encourage others to
greater effectiveness in their own God-given visions, ministries, and
missions," he said.

Windsor Village is innovative because its leaders have not allowed
themselves to get "boxed in" with methods and approaches that are no longer
effective, Johnson said. 

An innovative church thrives on change, he said. Innovation is critical for
every church to help members become equipped and empowered for mission and
ministry.

Windsor Village's street-oriented ministry has led to the construction of a
400-home planned community, a prayer center, a family life center, a
wellness center, a tennis center, a commercial business park, an elementary
school, and parks and catfish ponds. The church has become a national model
for how faith-based organizations can transform a community through
empowerment and effective public and private partnerships.

The church held its first eChurch conference last year. In the future,
officials anticipate expanding the event to include three to five smaller
events throughout the year.

More information about eChurch2002 Ministry Conference, including
registration, may be found online at www.kingdombuilder.com, by sending an
e-mail message to Robert Johnson at rjohnson@wvumc.org or by calling (713)
723-8187, Ext. 237.

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United Methodist News Service
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