It's time for us "aging baby boomers" to get with the times! So here's my posting.
A couple of folks have asked me about starting a Book Discussion Seminar for pastors (and maybe other leaders) -- I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church; Caught in the Middle; The Race to REach Out; Deepening Your Effectiveness, and the like. Anybody interested?

In the new year, my 2nd Wednesday mornings are available. Would there be any other better times?

Ed

This could be an excellent forum for encouraging one another around the mission of "making disciples for the transformation of the world..." What's happening around the District, like the baptisms schedule for January in Riverton and the conversation about developing a United Methodist ministry strategy in the Council Bluffs area...what else?

Make a Difference

This is a great idea to keep the connection alive in a district that covers a lot of territory.  But like anything else we do, it will only be effective if we all contribute.  So blog away, my friends.  

For Such A Time As This

SW DISTRICT LAY MINISTRY SUMMIT- January 25, 2009
“For Such a Time as This…”
The Book of Esther focuses on challenging times. Esther was called to exercise distinctive leadership on behalf of Israel “for such a time as this.” Her faithfulness, wisdom and practicality were all crucial to Israel’s survival. So also the church finds itself in the midst of turbulent, challenging times. In times such as these, how can congregational leaders exercise Christian leadership that is faithful, wise and strategic?

Join us at the Lay Ministry Summit as we explore ways to align our personal ministries and the ministry of local churches in the District with our mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

What: Lay Ministries Summit
When: Sunday, January 25; Registration at 2 p.m.; Summit from 2:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Griswold UMC, 100 Cass Street, Griswold, IA
For Whom: Local church lay leaders, officers, Council members, lay speakers,
presidents of UMW, UM Men and UM Youth Fellowships
Certified Lay Speakers; graduates & students of School for Lay Ministry,
Christian educators, certified personnel
Laity who yearn for something more than “church”
Pastors who want to encourage and equip laity for ministry.
Why: To provide motivation, resources and connections for laity to utilize their gifts for
ministry and mission in these turbulent times.

How: Through worship, presentations, and a rich menu of workshops helping us to look
Inward, Upward, and Outward: (each participant can choose 2 workshops)
Gift-based Ministry – Beverly Spencer
Disciple Bible Study – Jerry Neal
Local Church Revitalization – Scott Hibben
Building a Discipling System – Ed Kail
Rural Church Ministry Today – Lanette Plambeck
Hispanic Ministries and Immigration – Ruben Mendoza, Ernie Ruehle

To Pre-register: Contact Shirley Lewis at 712-243-8573 or Shirley.Lewis@iaumc.org
“And who knows but that you have come to [your] position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14