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It Worked For Us
This should become a resource library of best practices in the local church. Share what worked for you so others can benefit.
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Local Church Communications
This forum is for sharing resources, ideas and best practices around communications in local churches.
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Youth Ministry Ideas
Share the best practices in your youth ministry.
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Recent comments on pages throughout the site

Wrap-up: General Conference acts on wide range of issues

martha rovira- AWF director-coordinator of Hispanic-Latino Ministries wrote on 5/8/2008 10:42:34 AM

It was thanks to the wonderful and lively coverage that Meredyth Earnest did of General Conference that I could avidly and vividly follow the development day by day from wherever I landed after my day's work. Meredyth's video clips, interviews with the delegates and our dear Bishop Goodpaster and so many others made a difference in the communications world. She gives merit to her last name, she did an "earnest" job for the Kingdom of GOD. Thank you, Meredyth from all of us who could not make it to GC, but who were eager to know what was transpiring in our denomination and what was voted upon for the next quuadrennia. God bless you for your talents! martha

Wrap-up: General Conference acts on wide range of issues

Rev. Dr. G. Charles Satterwhite, pastor wrote on 5/7/2008 11:14:45 AM

I was very excited to read direct reports, and streaming from General Conference. I especially enjoyed the interviews from the delegates, and Bishop Goodpaster. Under the theme "A Future with Hope--Making Disciples for Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World," the Conference commenced. The agenda seemed to run smoothly—with great results. I am proud of the hard work and prayers that were lifted up through the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit from our Alabama West Florida Conference. As William Carey stated, "God's Wok, done in God's Way, will not lack God's Provision."

2008 Annual Conference

Sam Persons Parkes wrote on 4/30/2008 1:10:03 PM

Will childcare be available for worship services and plenary sessions as last year? It sure was great for both Amy and me to be able to attend the sessions!

Youth

Laura Williams wrote on 4/29/2008 2:39:14 PM

Hi everyone! I just accepted a youth ministry summer internship at Bonifay UMC. I am super excited to see what God is going to do with this youth program! I am a recent graduate of elementary education however and am not familiar with middle school practices. If anyone has any ideas, encouragement, thoughts, or really anything to offer to me I would greatly appreciate it! All I really know about the group at this time is that they are middle school aged and there is about 12-17 regular members. Thank you so much!! Laura

Bishops elect Goodpaster as president-designate

Karl K. Stegall wrote on 4/23/2008 9:48:34 AM

Congratulations to our own Bishop Larry Goodpaster. Our global church will greatly benefit from his leadership.

General Conference 2008

Suzanne Lenoir wrote on 4/2/2008 3:33:51 PM

It is a great privilege and honor for the praise band from First United Methodist, Clanton, AL, Montgomery-Prattville district, to be participating in the worship at General Conference. The band consists of worship leader, Tommy Lenoir, drummer/manager, Mike Graham, guitarist, Derric Hopper, guitarist, Trent Tatum, bass player, Michael Bailey, keyboards, Whittley Rasberry. Please keep this group and the praise team singers in your prayers as they prepare to minister to our UMC leaders from across the world!

Annual Conference to Focus on Leader Development

Wesley Comer wrote on 3/31/2008

Prayerfully and sincerely I hope that the teaching of leadership and church development will not concentrate on "money, money, money", a prosperity gospel like religion and I also hope that in church building there will not be a concentration on numbers, numbers, numbers but rather are we reaching the unchurched, are we reaching and serving the poor and underserved areas of our community. It seems to me that too many in the UMC are caring increasingly about money and about appearances and about numbers without concentrating on the true words of Jesus. In this bleak time of war, recession, and terrible leadership in Washington the Church Universal should take a leading role in society by not worring about the facade of a church facility but about the people who are being served in that facility; the Church Universal should take a leading role in caring for the poor and the underserved in manifest ways that are not meant to bring glory to an individual congregation or pastor but Glory to God. The Church Universal and it's pastors should be taking a leading role in teaching and living sacrificially and without the trappings of wealth such a huge home, luxury car, etc. Remember, Jesus sent out the apostles without extra clothing, food, or a set place to live!! In prayerful respect, Wesley F. Comer

Bonner, Woodham Named as New District Superintendents

Gary Daniel wrote on 3/27/2008 11:32:42 AM

Congratulations John and Randy. I know you will do a great job as DS, as you have everywhere you have served. God bless.

Bishop Goodpaster Named Bishop of Southeast Asia Mission

Nelson Crandall wrote on 3/2/2008 3:19:13 PM

I served one year of my 3 yr U.S.Army committment in Bancock Thialand. I would be interested in helping in this ministry.

Background: Southeast Asia Mission

Pastor Joseph Mullen, Pensacola United Meth. Community Ministries wrote on 2/27/2008 10:04:06 PM

Having served in Vietnam as a combat medic with the Marine Corps in 1968-69, Many of the people we encountered in non-hostile situations showed remarkable curiosity about Jesus and his role in the lives of believers. The doors are even more ready to open for those who look at this fertile field to share God's Kingdom. I also served as a medical corpsman at the Naval Hospital Taipei Taiwan 1971-75. We started a church and outreach medical ministry in the community and medical missions to the local orphanages. Much work to do, yet very hospitable and plenty of potential

Annual Conference to Focus on Leader Development

Alexander Palomaria wrote on 2/23/2008 11:45:40 AM

As an Air Force Chaplain, we're trained and reminded that leadership is essential as leaders for our country. However, I also believe that leadership is just as important in the local church and home as we walk in the shadow of the Almighty.

Annual Conference to Focus on Leader Development

Larry Teasley wrote on 2/20/2008 12:47:54 PM

This will be a great opportunity for both the laity and clergy of the Alabama West Florida Annual Conference. I find it exciting that both laity and clergy will sit together under the same teaching. I hope this will spawn rigorus conversation among us, while igniting a passionate theology of evangelism.

Youth

Nathan Attwood wrote on 2/12/2008 1:05:07 PM

The site is sort of how I found it when I took over from Jeni. I know that some of the event pages have pictures of the old UMY and I can research these for you if you'd like. This page will be redesigned soon with more pictures and resource links, but it will feature current and future resources rather than past things.

Youth

kristen slade wrote on 2/11/2008 6:10:11 PM

why arent there any pictures of the previous umy youth group

Bishop Goodpaster's Book List

Tex Hill wrote on 12/10/2007 12:00:42 PM

What are your comments on "Epicenter" by Joel Rosenberg?

Bicentennial Celebration: Overview of Methodism

Meredyth Earnest wrote on 12/5/2007 5:13:11 PM

sorry. there was an error in the link.

Bicentennial Celebration: Overview of Methodism

Robert H. Couch wrote on 12/5/2007 7:42:42 AM

I keep seeing the article on the Overview of Methodism by Mary Ann Pickard as the first in the Bicentennial series. However, I can not access it. Can you tell me why? Can you help me and other access this first article? Thanks, Robert H. Couch, President Alabaam West Florida Historical Society

Bishop's Book Reviews

Joy Wells wrote on 10/4/2007 2:15:04 PM

Thank you Bishop Goodpaster. It is always wonderful to read your book reviews. Again I am encouraged to keep growing and learning in my walk with the LORD. May your pursuit of Christ be enriched with more of His presence and power as you grow in Him and lead His church.

Disaster Response & Recovery Ministry

John Alter wrote on 9/30/2007 3:05:04 PM

I was pleased to read Bishop Goodpastor's September 24 letter to the AL-WF Conference members. He quoted a "USA Today" article recounting the number of faith-based groups coming to work in hurricane relief. As a Methodist I joined the Bishop in his pride when the article stated "the largest group of volunteer-servants-in-ministry people came from The United Methodist Church – 56,656 to be exact." There is no doubt in my mind that this Methodist response is due in large part to the involvement of Alabama - West Florida Conference Disaster Recovery Ministry led by Rev. Clyde Pressley. We are indeed fortuante to count this ministry among our Conference resources.

Youth

Meredyth Earnest wrote on 8/29/2007 10:42:26 AM

Paul, Sorry...the link was deleted after the event. I have now removed it from the site. Thanks for letting us know. Meredyth

Youth

Paul Ferrell wrote on 8/28/2007 10:50:12 PM

I tryed to click on the Pastoral Leadership Search Effort Linc and it goes no where

Background: Southeast Asia Mission

spencer turnipseed wrote on 8/10/2007 9:38:36 PM

What a prophetic opportunity to be supportive of a compassionate, culturally-aware, 21st century Christianity in a region of the East where once too many bombs and bullets came from the West! For our bishop and our conference and our general church, here is an opening to enflesh that "old, old story" by joining in a "new, new song."

Lay Speaking Course

Corrina Casson wrote on 8/8/2007 10:31:27 PM

I'd like to attend a Lay Speaker course close to me here in Dothan. Please let me know when that will be. Thanks, Corrina

Bishop Goodpaster travels to the Holy Land

Janet Brannan wilmer united methodist wrote on 8/6/2007 8:41:22 AM

If you are unable to travel with the bishop in october, a group is going to the holy land january 29, 2008. This will be my return visit and i am just as excited as i was for my first journey. call or e-mail. 251-610-9289 or jbran52521@aol.com

Older Adult Fall Activity

Stephen McGucken wrote on 8/5/2007 7:26:08 PM

I am looking forward to this event and am working on bringing a group from St Mark UMC, Mobile.