Transcription

1 Page 1 of 12 You are receiving this because you are listed as a leader in a local United Methodist Church. ENGAGING UNCHURCHED PEOPLE IN THE CULTURE (Some ideas /reflections on relational evangelism) Acts 17:16-34 In this chapter the Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse into how to effectively and creatively reach those who have no point of reference for the message of Jesus. The stoic and epicurean philosophers from Athens were interested in the "strange" teachings of Paul so they invited him to their discussion group at the Areopagus, a rock-meets-hill above the city of Athens. On this rock Paul shared the gospel with people who had no reference point for Jesus or his message of grace. Keys to reaching out to people in the culture who don't know Jesus 1. Start with a broken heart There were so many idols in Athens that you had a better chance meeting a god than a human. Paul saw countless idols, temples and altars, and his heart was broken. Aren t our hearts broken by what s happening all around us (and even in us)? The quest for the American dream and a lifestyle defined by individualism and self-gratification, are as bad as idolatry was in Athens. This reality, and the reality of our own sinful condition should be enough to break our hearts and stir us to action! 2. Build genuine, loving relationships We must try to genuinely understand where people are. We need to hear before speaking. Maybe we will then be given a chance to share about our experience with Jesus. The starting point - a question about the meaning of life, the problem of evil, a news story, a personal story. We need to be attentive to the rhythm of the Spirit, so we can find humble and articulate ways to share the story of Jesus and God s offer of grace for all. 3. Identify common ground Paul begins the conversation with an attempt to find common ground. "You're religious? So am I! In reaching out to people in the culture who have no/little understanding of Jesus and his message, it ll be wise to look for common ground, like the common challenges of making sense out of living in this convoluted, broken world, or our common inability to redeem ourselves from evil and hurting each other. 4. Be relevant "As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring'". Paul quoted this apparently well-known poet to make a point in sharing the message. We must be relevant, speak the language of the culture by using movie clips, playing rock/hip-hop songs, quote a Broadway play. The story of Jesus is not something out of this world. It s incarnational and relevant to people from all ages. There are multiple platforms we could use to connect people to something they can easily relate to, as a way to illustrate/communicate a spiritual reality. 5. Share the story of Jesus Paul shares the story of God s involvement in human history, from creation to redemption. The story of Jesus is one of transformation, restoration and new life, not one of judgement and condemnation. It s a story of life and hope! This

2 Page 2 of 12 story has often been shared the wrong way or from a perspective that seems to be out of touch with common human experience come to Jesus and everything will go just fine. 6. Wisely discern when is the right time It could be counter-productive to make a gospel presentation when we are just beginning to establish a relationship and trust isn t there yet. It was at the end of his time at the Aeropagus that Paul shared about the resurrection of Jesus and his power to bring human beings back to life. The Gospel story breaks down barriers and circumvents intellectual arguments. Jesus used parables to break down walls separating broken people from a loving God. Gospel presentations are important but, in the ballgame of evangelizing in a postmodern culture, they should be relief pitchers, not in the starting lineup. 7. Leave results up to God "Some of the people became followers of Jesus and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others". Some sneered. Some wanted to know more. Some believed. It s not up to us, but to God! Our responsibility is to plant the seeds, and to leave the results up to God! In Christ s amazing love and grace, Rini WORKERS COMPENSATION PAYROLL AUDIT Notice for churches: To comply with the State of Florida s requirements, the worker s compensation audit needs to be completed by Thursday, February 22. This information has been changed on the Calendar of Reports due (and was previously listed as February 27) February 22 Workers Compensation Payroll Audit is to be completed online annually. Report actual payroll for calendar year Must be completed between February 1 and February 22, In order to comply with State of Florida requirements related to workers compensation coverage, we ask that you complete the brief online payroll form. Please review your payroll records (941 s etc.) for the calendar year 2017 and complete the form as accurately as possible. Please note that your responses will not affect your workers compensation insurance costs for 2018 as this updated information is simply required to comply with State of Florida regulations.

3 Page 3 of 12 Refuel 2018 Youth Retreat SW DISTRICT YOUTH

4 Page 4 of 12 January 19-21, Five SW District Churches brought over 90 youth and adults to Riverside Camp & Retreat Center to spend the weekend Refueling their relationships with Jesus. Retreat participants retreated from their cell phones and electronics to spend the weekend in worship, small groups, and various camp activities. The end result was great spiritual fruit in the lives of dozens of young people. Special thanks to the Edgewater UMC worship band who led a phenomenal time of praise and worship for the weekend and the youth pastors on the SW District planning team. Extra special thanks and appreciation also go to David Weber and the entire Riverside Camp staff who were extremely gracious and accommodating to our groups. Riverside was the perfect place for this retreat as the youth groups enjoyed quiet time Down By the River, a bonfire with s mores, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, basketball, giant soccer, a glow dance party, meaningful worship and gaga ball. David Weber did a fantastic job of leading group initiatives and emceeing worship for the event and his efforts were much appreciated. Save the date for your youth group to attend the 2019 Refuel Winter Retreat for the SW District on February 15-17, Radical Sabbatical: Friday, March 9-Saturday, March 10 All children, family, and youth ministry staff and volunteers are invited to a time of rest, renewal and team strengthening just for you and your team! Radical Sabbatical promises to be exactly what you need with times of intentional prayer, worship, silence, and team building as you fill up for the work of the ministries you are called to. Please join us for this Florida Conference sponsored event at Riverside Camp & Retreat Center. Cost for this event is $40 for staff and $25 for volunteers, and includes overnight accommodations and three meals. Financial assistance is available by contacting Krista at: students@stjohns-sarasota.com Register here: Payment will be due upon arrival to camp or you can mail a check to Riverside Camp Youth Workers monthly luncheons: February: Sat. Feb. 10, at Edgewater UMC (during the Thrive training event meet upstairs) March: Thursday, March 22, at St. John s UMC, 6611 Proctor Road, Sarasota 11am-12:30pm

5 Page 5 of 12 MISSIONAL VITAL SIGNS Don't forget to input your missional vital sign figures by the 10th of every month. To input the figures, go to the Conference website ( and select "Missional Vital Signs" at the bottom of the website under "FORMS". Then select "Click here to complete the MVS Weekly Report". SAVE THE DATES Clergy Team Meetings & Spouse Gatherings February Edgewater UMC change in date... May to be determined (9:30am-3:30pm) September UMC in Punta Gorda November Grace in Cape Coral Gathering begins at 9am with the meeting scheduled from 9:30am-1pm except where noted above. SW DISTRICT CUBA CONNECTION Five Things Cubans Have Taught Me about Love by Dan Christopherson, SW District Cuba Coordinator / christforcuba@gmail.com It s that time of year where the holiday decorations have been put away, New Year resolutions have been made and possibly already broken and everyone is looking forward to the first signs of spring and love. I was in the store the other day, and couldn t help but notice the Valentine s Day cards, stuffed animals and heart shaped chocolates. These symbols of love made me think of my trips to Cuba and the number of wonderful people and experiences that have come into my life, which all started with my heart. At its core, love requires friendship, trust, mutual support and understanding. There are five things that come to mind that I ve learned about love from Cubans: 1. Follow your heart. Cubans have taught me to follow my heart and to have hope above all else.

6 Page 6 of Patience is a virtue. Traveling in Cuba allowed me to relearn important values like patience and flexibility. 3. True happiness is making someone you love happy. 4. On my first trip to Cuba I fell in love with the Cuban people. Because they genuinely give their love to you without hesitation. 5. Dani, is in first grade in Entronque Rey, Cuba. She was born with an eye disorder. Through almost three years of wearing an eye patch, doctor appointments, broken appointments, delayed operation dates then finally she had her much needed eye operation. Today she has the biggest most beautiful brown eyes you can imagine. She waits at the edge of the street jumping up and down for my arrival. I can barely exit the door of the van before she throws her arms around my neck. She melts my heart because her love is unconditional. Love can make you do crazy, wild, unthinkable things, but it also has the power to make you into one of the kindest, most generous people in the world. I am incredibly fortunate to have someone who loves me so much and who does what she can to make me happy. I'm not sure if she knows it or not, but her presence alone is enough to brighten my day and every single kind thing she does for me makes me happier and happier. 1 John 4:19 We love each other, as result of his loving us first. God loves us unconditionally through all our faults and short comings. Just as Dani loves with the innocence of a child she does not see the stuff that comes with all of us. God does not see the stuff either. He loves you unconditionally just as you are. My travels in Cuba have taken me from the hustle and bustle of the city of Havana to green valleys and tobacco fields of Pinar Del Rio. We travel over challenging roads to the enchanting historical city of Sancti Spiritus. I have experience excitement, emotion, and love in the chapel at Camp Canaan. The challenging roads do not stop as we travel through Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas on to Holguin Norte. I cannot walk down the streets in Mayari without meeting someone I know. Into Guantanamo over desolate roads through rivers, yes through not over, I have traveled along the insolated coast line near Imias. On and upward to Baracoa, the city with an angry coast line. Finally we ve came to the end of the road, Maisi. The one common factor everywhere is their passionate love of Jesus Christ and our heavenly father. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, For I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Pslam 143: 8 Dan Christopherson Southwest District Mission Program, Inc. christforcuba@gmail.com Direct Line

7 Page 7 of 12 LAY LEADER TRAINING: PARTNERS IN MISSION Saturday, March 10 th 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.

8 Page 8 of 12 Trinity United Methodist Church 715 Cornelia Avenue, Lakeland, FL Come together for a training packed with information on connecting and leading as Partners in Mission within the Florida Annual Conference. Hear from leaders within our conference such as: Bishop Carter Janet Earls Director of Congregational Vitality Matt Harrell Fresh Expressions Coordinator Laura Ice Disaster Recovery This training is open to Lay Leaders, Lay Members to Annual Conference, Lay Servants. Please feel free to bring one other laity leader from your church. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Deadline to register is 2/26/2017 Don t delay space is limited! Any questions contact the Conference Lay Leader, Paulette Monroe, at paulette.monroe@flumc.org HELP WANTED & CLASSIFIEDS... RECOMMENDATIONS NEEDED: Rogers Community UMC in Bradenton is seeking recommendations for a roofing company to replace their church roof and recommendations for extermination companies to tent the church for termintes. Recommendations can be sent to rogersum@verizon.com or call (941) and leave a message. ******************************************************* Music Director - First United Methodist Church of Sarasota is seeking a part-time Music Director to lead the traditional worship music program for the Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. traditional services and other special services as needed. Primary responsibilities include leading the rehearsals and direction of the chancel choir and soloists and serving as accompanist during worship as needed. The Music Director will work collaboratively with the Pastor in planning music for worship. Minimum Requirements: A committed Christian; Bachelor s degree in music; 3-5 years of experience leading adult choirs and accompaniment; proficiency in piano (proficiency in organ a plus) Position available: May 1, Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Additional honorarium for weddings and funerals. Office space will be provided. Please resume and cover letter to: drsamwright@comcast.net Rev. Dr. Sam Wright, First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL *******************************************************

9 Page 9 of 12 Please view Conference website at under the CLASSIFIEDS section for listings. CLERGY... If you are planning to be away from the pulpit (vacation, emergency, etc.), please let the District Office know the dates you will be gone and who will be providing coverage for you at the church. CALENDAR NOTES Feb 10, Thrive District Training Event, Edgewater UMC Feb 19, Conference & District Offices Closed (Presidents' Day) Feb 20, SW Clergy Meeting, Edgewater UMC Mar 20, SW DCOM Meeting Mar 30, Conference & District Offices Closed (Good Friday) Apr 24, SW DCOM Meeting Apr 29, Announcement Sunday May 10, SW Clergy Meeting, Location: TBD May 28, Conference & District Offices Closed (Memorial Day) Jun 7-9, Annual Conference, Florida Southern University Jul 4, Conference & District Offices Closed (Independence Day) Sep 3, Conference & District Offices Closed (Labor Day) Sep 11, Clergy Meeting, First UMC in Punta Gorda Nov 12, Conference & District Offices Closed (Veterans' Day) Nov 22-23, Conference & District Offices Closed (Thanksgiving Holiday) Nov 27, SW Clergy Meeting, Grace UMC in Cape Coral Dec 24-25, Conference & District Offices Closed (Christmas Holiday) Jun 5-8, Annual Conference HAPPENINGS AT CONFERENCE Registration open for Florida Five Day Academy March 11-16, 2018, Life Enrichment Retreat Center. For additional information go to:

10 Page 10 of 12 Please save the date for next year s Missio Ecclesia event. We had such an incredible gathering in the spring of 2016 at Grace Church with Deb and Alan Hirsch. This time we will gather on February 22 and 23, 2018, at First UMC in Lakeland. Dr. Martyn Atkins, a renowned church leader in England and a key movement collaborator in the work of Fresh Expressions, will join us as we explore what it means to be a church on mission. Click Here to Register

11 Page 11 of 12 Easter Pilgrimage to Italy with Bishop Carter: April 2018 Led by Bishop Carter, travelers will visit Venice, Assisi, Siena, Florence and Rome while studying the Gospel of Mark and the legacy of Peter during April 3-12, From Bishop Carter: "We will learn more about the gospel of Mark in Venice and the legacy of Peter; we will read the dialogues of Catherine of Sienna and the meditations of Dante; and we will reflect on the renewing vision given to Francis of Assisi," and more. For more information, a brochure with a detailed itinerary and online registration, CLICK HERE. Check out the Conference website ( for events around the Conference.

12 Page 12 of 12 South West District of the Florida Annual Conference 2049-B N. Honore Avenue, Sarasota, Florida Office Phone: