25 Mar Update on the US National Conference

Registrations for the 2007 US National Conference have been streaming in continuously. Over 100 were added in the past week, bringing us up to 380 registrations as of Friday, March 23. Persons from 88 different UB churches (including one UB church in Canada) are now registered for the May 31 – June 3 conference in Huron, Ohio.

Of the registrants, 100 are ministers, and 70 are the spouses of ministers (there will be special workshops designed just for pastors’ wives). We also have 52 children registered.

March 15 was the deadline Bishop Ron Ramsey set for churches to return the National Church Covenant. As of March 23, 144 of the 209 possible churches had returned the covenant, so we’ve got a ways to go there. The Discipline calls for cluster leaders to organize congregational meetings in churches that have not returned the covenant by April 1, to determine if their intention is to not sign the covenant and withdraw from the denomination. If some other reason has prevented you from returning the covenant, please let the bishop know, so that time and effort isn’t wasted in organizing congregational meetings.

As of March 22, we were still waiting on election results from about 60 of our churches (the deadline for reporting was March 15). In addition, 44 pastors had not submitted their annual reports for 2006 (for this, the deadline was March 1).

We’re anticipating a superb experience at the US National Conference. It will be unlike any previous UB gathering, and certainly far different from any previous national conference or general conference. The early registration period lasts until April 1, after which registration rates go up $10.

08 Mar Registrations for US National Conference

During February, members of United Brethren churches in the US selected laypersons to represent them as delegates to the 2007 US National Conference, which meets May 31 – June 3. Reports about the persons elected are now coming to Bishop Ron Ramsey’s office. And people are getting in their reservations.

Thus far, 160 people representing just over 40 UB churches have registered for the US National Conference. With 80% of our churches yet to register, we could have quite a crowd at the National Conference meeting.

For information, and to register, go to USNationalConference.com. You can also track the churches which have registered delegates, as well as those that have returned the National Conference Covenant.

05 Mar National Conference and the Life Cycle

I wrote yesterday about what we are expecting about National Conference and also why we should consider attending. I got another thought this morning that connects with what we have been teaching in the churches. It has to do with the life cycle of a church or denomination.

Most of our churches are on the downward side of their life cycle. When on that side of the cycle, concerns about structure (who is in charge, who is the pastor, who is making decisions, etc.) are in the driver’s seat. And when structure is driving the car, a focus on programs is sitting in the front passenger’s seat. Not only is that where most of our churches are (over 80% plateaued or declining), it is where we have been as a denomination. In this situation, vision and relationships are relegated to the back seat.

We work with churches to help them see how they can get to a point of starting a new life cycle. And when you are on the up-swing of a new life cycle, vision takes the driver’s seat and is supported in the front passenger’s seat by relationships. Structure and ministries are in the car, but in the supportive roles of the back seat. The emphasis and focus are on vision and relationships.

This National Conference is going to give its major energies to establishing a clear, agreed-upon vision of where we need to head as a group and also give time to renew, refresh, and establish strong relationships with each other.

That is why we need all leaders to come. We must be driven by clear vision and caring relationships.

I hope to see you there.

22 Jan National Conference 2007 Update

National Conference is coming up and I wanted to let everyone know a little more about this event.

The dates are May 31 — June 3, 2007, and the location is Sawmill Creek Resort, Huron, Ohio, just about 45-60 minutes west of Cleveland, Ohio.

The theme for this conference is: Xtreme Makeover…Church Edition.

Rev. Brad Powell, from Northridge Church, Plymouth, Mich., will speak on Thursday and Friday evenings, Dr. Kenneth Quick, author of the book Healing the Heart of the Church, will speak on Saturday. We will conclude the conference on Sunday morning. I will speak in that service and we will share in the Lord’s Supper.

The vision I have been casting for the past year-and-a-half is that our church really needs to get involved in the “harvest fields.” I have been greatly concerned about our lack of “bringing in a harvest.” The apparent lethargic attitudes that many in our church have toward the harvest concerns me. Lest there be any mistake, let me say that for me the harvest represents those who are yet to trust in Christ for their eternal salvation.

I have thought and prayed about our lack of harvest as a denomination over the years since the division in 1889. I have come to the conclusion that it is a result of our sinful disregard for our Lord’s Great Commission to make disciples. I have found our churches to be hard working, but much of what they are busy with seldom produces new disciples for Jesus. I don’t know about you, but I believe the church has but one mission or purpose: to see everyone become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. If what you are doing does not fulfill that mission, then I’d evaluate whether what you are doing should continue or be revamped or replaced with something that will be effective.

Now, let me be very clear. First, we do churches that are actively involved in the harvest with success. But many of our churches and local church leaders are seemingly unconcerned. Folks, if we are to have any future, we must become involved in the Harvest. Jesus said, “He came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10), and He commissions us to carry on that mission until He returns for His Church.

Let me also be clear that this is not just about numbers. Large churches don’t necessarily impress me and small churches don’t necessarily discourage. I am not talking about size, style, and location, but about a dogged commitment to see lost people come to Jesus and become His disciples. This isn’t necessarily a church problem, it is an individual problem. Let me ask: how long has it been since you have been used by God to see someone become a disciple of Jesus?

The thrust of this National Conference will be to challenge each of us to repent of our sin of disobedience to Jesus’ command and to become equipped to be an effective harvester in His harvest field. Sinful attitudes must be confessed and repentance sought about our disobedience. I know this is strong language, but it represents a great burden that I believe the Lord has placed on my heart.

This conference is open to everyone. There will be a business session for the active pastors and lay delegates, but everyone from our churches is urged to attend. Seminars on Saturday morning are designed to help lead you and your church into an Xtreme Ministry. This will be a historic conference, as there has never been one quite like this in the history of our church, with delegates potentially representing each local congregation. It will also be a time where we drive a stake in the ground, draw a line in the sand (insert your own metaphor), that from these days on we will become an obedient church. Making disciples for Jesus as He has commissioned us to do.

Oh, by the way, you don’t have to wait for the National Conference for this. You can begin in your own life today!

02 Nov National Conference 2007

The National Conference 2007 dates are May 31 – June 3. The location, the Sawmill Creek Resort, is situated on beautiful Lake Erie near Huron, Ohio (one hour west of Cleveland). The conference will open with a Thursday evening session with Brad Powell, pastor of Northridge Church of Plymouth, Mich. He will be the speaker for both the Thursday and Friday evening sessions. The concluding session will be a worship and communion service on Sunday morning, June 3.

The primary focus of this conference, as I see it, will be to refocus our denomination and local churches on the main task. Somewhere, somehow, it seems to me that we got way off the path. Some churches are struggling to survive, some are fighting inconsequential battles within the body, and many have just lost focus of the primary mission. In my opinion, we desperately need this time of coming together as a denomination to refocus and recommit ourselves to the mission. Thus, business will be at a minimum. Revising the Discipline over and over hasn’t helped us in the past to stay focused, and it won’t now. Structure and rules are not our problem. Being dead-set focused on the mission is!

We will need every church to be represented by its delegates and pastors for this very important conference, which could be a “defining moment” for our church. Every UB church can send at least two delegates: the senior pastor, plus one layperson.

The cost is reasonable. Rooms are just $90 a night (plus tax). There will be slight a registration fee of $25 per person or $45 for a family. You can go online and view the Sawmill Creek web site. I’d encourage you to do it.

This will be a very different National Conference…you won’t want to miss it!

Challenging speakers. Inspiring worship. Seminars covering topics you can use by seminar leaders who are getting the job done. Times of relaxation and fun (including the UB Open held on the beautiful golf course, so get your teams lined up). All rolled into one three-and-a-half day period.
Looking forward to meeting you there!

31 Oct UB Church Planters Gather for Two Days

L-r: Bishop Ron Ramsey, Gary Dilley, and Howard Matthews.

Six UB ministers involved in church planting situations met near Blissfield, Mich., on October 28-29 for two days of learning, encouragement, and fellowship. The event, sponsored by the Church Multiplication Leadership Team and UB Church Multiplication Director Tom Blaylock, was held at two cabins next to The Legacy golf course.

The church planters included:

• Thurm Payton (Lighthouse Community Church, Williamston, Mich.).
• Cal Hodgson (Heritage UB, Dansville, Mich.).
• Dalton Jenkins (Bethel Temple of Praise, Yonkers, N.Y.).
• Howard Matthews (Homefront UB, Grandville, Mich.).
• Bryan Converse (Family Life Church, Maineville, Ohio).
• Gordon Kettle (soon to be planting a church in Grand Ledge, Mich.).

Three other church planters were unable to attend. Also attending were Bishop Ron Ramsey, Healthy Church Director Pat Jones, Global Ministries Director Gary Dilley, Communications Director Steve Dennie, and Bob Ransom of the Missionary Church.

Tim Roehl, who serves in a church planting role with the Evangelical Church, was the resource person. He led everyone through a notebook and presentations which hit various aspects of church planting. Click on the thumbnails below for a larger view of photos from the event.

	Tim Roehl talking to the group.		Cal Hodgson (left) and Tom Blaylock.
	Bishop Ron Ramsey talking to the group.		Gordon Kettle (left) and Dalton Jenkins.
	L-r: Tom Blaylock, Thurm Payton, and Cal Hodgson.		The group having prayer for Bryan Converse.

09 Oct UB Winter Youth Retreat: February 2-4, 2007

Junior high and senior high students from UB churches are invited to attend the Big M.A.C. Ski Attack, a winter retreat in the mountains of western Pennsylvania February 2-4, 2007. This year’s speaker will be Tim Atkins. “Hot Sundae,” a band from Indiana, will provide music for the weekend. The cost for the retreat is $80, plus the cost of a Saturday activity of your choice, including skiing or snowboarding, tubing, skating, bowling, or nothing at all.

This annual retreat has existed for the past 20 years (the M. A. C. stands for Mid-Atlantic Conference). For more information about this weekend, email Bobby Culler or call him at (717) 264-8414. This retreat is sponsored in part by Huntington University. It would be great to have you and the students of your Youth Ministry participate.

28 Sep Canadian Churches Celebrate 150 Years

From the 150th anniversary celebration of the United Brethren church in Canada. (larger)

The United Brethren Church in Canada  celebrated its 150th Anniversary this year. Bishop Brian Magnus sent this report about their celebration:

“In June we had a huge outdoor event and invited people from every church to attend. It was partly a picnic and partly a giant revival service. The day began with a bus tour of historic sites. This included visiting the very first UB church in Canada, and also visiting a UB church building from 1861, which is still preserved in that old style today.

“In Canada, the picnic part of our 150th anniversary included lots of games for the whole family, contests, pony rides, picture-taking in old fashioned costumes, and displays of historical pictures from each of our churches. Youth bands played Christian music in the big tent while all this was going on, and there was a tea room for those who just wanted to sit quietly and chat with others.

Students from Huntington University performing the play “Godspell.” (larger)

“After a large meal, a revival service was held in the big tent. Praise and worship singing was led by the worship team of our newest church plant from Cambridge, Ontario. Some songs from the musical Godspell were sung by a group from Huntington University. A sermon on revival from the book of Nehemiah was preached by Rev. Dennis Bells, and the celebration concluded with communion.

The statistics say that we have an average attendance of 875 in our churches on a Sunday morning, and we had 600 of them gather together for this 150th Anniversary celebration of revival and inspiration!

Follow the link below for more photos.
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