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26 Nov

November 26, 2008 |

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries
Recently, the First Lady of Sierra Leone invited Billy Simbo to the presidential residence in Freetown. She was interested in having her foundation come alongside Mattru Hospital. She has a particular interest in pediatric health and in lowering infant mortality rates. 

The First Lady expressed her interest in developing a working relationship with the United Brethren church in Sierra Leone. She is a United Methodist member, and her husband is a member of the Wesleyan church. 

Although the meeting went well, Billy didn’t get his hopes up. He didn’t even bother telling me about the meeting. But then he received a letter from the First Lady’s office confirming everything they had talked about.

We don’t know where this will lead, but it certainly can’t hurt having the nation’s First Lady on your side. 

26 Nov

November 26, 2008 |

George Rhodifer sent this update on his condition.

“My doctor told me she is satisfied with my recovery from my blood infection and that she did not see any reason at this time to consider any more Chemo treatments unless my condition changes. She is going to monitor me and see how I do. She will tell me more when I meet with her December 2. She told my daughter that I beat the odds, because I should not be here. With my will to live and my faith in God, I may just go on beating the odds.”

George is pastor of Olivet Church in New Lebanon, Ohio. In early September, he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and given three months to live.

25 Nov

November 25, 2008 |

Emmanuel Community Church is hosting a free concert featuring rock band Attaboy and indie-rock newcomer The Fabulous at 7 p.m. on December 5.

Three of the four members of Attaboy, a Huntington-based alternative rock group, are graduates of Huntington University. Vocalist/keyboardist Amos Caley, who holds a degree in Bible and Religion, is the son of UB pastor J.
Michael Caley (Banner of Christ UB, Byron Center, Mich.).

The concert is open to the public and is sponsored by Huntington University, Remedy.fm, and Emmanuel Community Church Student Ministries.

25 Nov

November 25, 2008 |

Steve Dennie, Communications Director

A few days ago, I mentioned something Andy Stanley said concerning momentum. Here’s another one of his thoughts.

In the church world, we put up with lack of momentum as long as we can still pay the bills.

Now there’s a sad thought. “I am financially viable, therefore I exist.” Is your church in that boat?

Too many churches choose to limp along, keeping the doors open, as long as they can pay the bills. The only momentum is downward. Meanwhile, they shoo away opportunities which would be to their long-term good–like merging with a nearby church. Such a move would make both churches stronger. No longer stuck in survival mode, they could devote resources  to ministry.
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24 Nov

November 24, 2008 |

Marie Mellott passed away Sunday evening, November 23. She was the widow of Rev. O. Guy Mellott, who pastored the Heidlersburg UB church (Heidlersburg, Pa.) for over 20 years. For a short time, both Marie and Guy pastored the Mt. Olivet UB church in Aspers, Pa.

Memorial Service: Saturday, November 29. 10:15 – noon.
Location: Heidlersburg UB church, 2725 Heidlersburg Road, Gettysburg, Pa.
Viewing: 9 a.m. Saturday, November 29 (prior to the memorial service)
Officiating: Revs. Dan Summers and Phil Byers.

Condolences can be sent to the entire family at this address:

Mr. and Mrs. Darren (Beth) Mellott
198 Fickel Hill Road
Gardners, PA 17324

24 Nov

November 24, 2008 |

UBAttendances_500.jpg
(Click on the chart for a larger view.)

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
This chart shows the average attendance in United Brethren churches since 1960. In the United States (the blue lines), we climbed to a high point in the mid-1970s, fell to a low point in the mid-1980s, then gradually grew back to a new high in 2004. What does it all mean?

The sharp decline after 2004 no doubt relates to our efforts to join the Missionary Church, and the aftermath (when a number of churches withdrew). But it looks like we have stopped the hemorrhage, and are growing again (albeit with a smaller number of churches).

Notice the green line, too–the worldwide attendance. Although the United States attendance hasn’t grown very much, the overseas work has done well. And most of our overseas churches are an outgrowth of the US churches.

The ups and downs in charts like this are open to lots of interpretation. Factors such as leadership, emphases, generational changes, and demographics can all play a role. We welcome your own interpretations. Leave a comment.

21 Nov

November 21, 2008 |

Steve Dennie, Communications Director

One blog I follow is by Tim Stevens, administrative pastor of Granger Community Church near South Bend, Ind. They’re doing a one-day Catalyst conference, with Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel. Stanley began the day by talking about momentum. Stevens provided some notes from that session, including this statement:

Momentum = forward motion fueled by a series of wins.

I’ve been thinking about that in two contexts:

  • the local church (including my own church, Anchor).
  • the United Brethren denomination as a whole.

Throughout my lifetime, I’ve heard people say, especially when things aren’t going well, “What we need is revival.” When things aren’t going well, the answer is the same: revival. That’s true to an extent, and it always sounds exceedingly spiritual, especially when embedded in a prayer. But what does it look like? What exactly are they praying for?

It seems like they’re too often praying for One Big Win, a giant divine intervention that will get everybody doing what they’re supposed to be doing. This does happen, but it’s elusive.

Instead of waiting for revival, what are some small wins my church can pursue? Putting several small wins together is like gradually pushing the accelerator. You build momentum.

At the denominational level, Pat Jones, as Director of Healthy Church Ministries, has been working with a few local churches at a time. He does a weekend consultation, then meets with the pastor once a month for a year. As a result, churches have turned around or been propelled forward. It’s not flashy, but it’s a series of wins.

19 Nov

November 19, 2008 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
I have been around people who have the gift of leadership. It is apparent. When they enter a room, they just sort of take over, even though they might not be in charge of the meeting.

What if I have been elected, appointed, or drafted into an area of leadership? Does that mean I can do it? I believe so, and here’s why.

Even though I lack the spiritual gift of leadership, I can learn to act in the ways of a leader. No, that doesn’t mean you’re being a hypocrite. After all, I can share my faith with nonbelievers without being endowed with the spiritual gift of evangelism. I can help people in need without possessing the spiritual gift of mercy.
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18 Nov

November 18, 2008 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
I talk about leadership frequently as I represent the United Brethren church. When I interact with other denominational leaders, we collectively acknowledge that spiritual leadership is probably our number one problem.

If you check with the local Christian bookstore, you will find numerous leadership how-to books. Go to any Barnes & Noble and look at all their titles about leadership.

I recently flew to an engagement. The free magazine in the seat-back pocket contained several ads for books, CDs, DVDs, and college courses on the subject of leadership. Often, the instructors were people I recognized as having a reputation for leadership.
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