Expectations of Members of United Methodist Churches in Central District

A couple months ago, I talked about my expectation of Pastors in our district, and I had said I was planning to write a similar article about members of our churches.  So today, I'd like to think with you about the expectations for the laity of our congregations.

I believe the following are essential if we are to have thriving vital congregations: 

1. That the desire of every member of a UMC is to be a fully devoted disciple of Jesus the Christ, whose life mission is to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.
2. That every Christ follower/disciple will seek to grow in her/his faith on a daily basis. It is true our churches seek to assist us through Bible studies, small groups for prayer, book studies, recovery, accountability and the like. (This is what we mean when we talk about each church offering discipleship opportunities!)
3. That every member is involved in a serving ministry, where transformation of the world is truly lived out.  I believe the single greatest need in this area is for mentoring children and youth! But you may love work camps, working with youth groups, Stephen Ministry, food pantries, visiting in jails or hospitals, or at Brightwood Community Center, Vida Nueva, East Tenth Children and Youth, etc.   The key is that you choose something and get involved!! Call your Pastor TODAY if you are uncertain where you would like to serve, or where you might be gifted to serve.
4. That every member will desire what is best for the future of one's congregation, not what I personally desire!  (This is by far the most difficult of the essentials!) Unfortunately, far too many of the churches in our district are declining in their participation rate and worship attendance.  And to speak the truth in love, I must say that too often the answer to what should our church do in the future is predominantly answered by those most involved who say by their desires and actions, "I think our church should do what I like and what is meaningful to me." Regrettably, this does not consider what those outside our church in our community would say that we need to offer as servants of Jesus.
5. That YOU will treat and support your Pastor as you expect your Pastor to support and treat you. Each pastor makes great sacrifices, goes to the hospital at all hours, sacrifices family time and more for the sake of your congregation.  It is my expectation that you will honor and affirm her/him as God's chosen leader of your congregation.  He/she is not perfect, but neither are you and I! So, in the words of a member of a church I previously served, "Be gentle with your pastor, and show her/him the grace you desire."

For the only cause that matters,

M. Bert Kite, Superintendent 

District Superintendent Bert Kite has announced that the Central District Conference will be held on Sunday, December 14 at 3 p.m. at Southport UMC, (1947 E Southport, Indianapolis, IN). At this meeting the 2015 District budget and District leadership will be reviewed/approved, as well as other business conducted.

In order to involve leadership from many parts of the conference, the election of delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences shall begin in local congregations, continue in districts, and conclude at Annual Conference.  Local congregations may submit names of potential lay delegates to either of our District Lay Leaders, Doris Clark or Anthony Swinger.  Potential clergy delegates may submit their names to Bert Kite.  There will be a Willingness to Serve form which will need to be submitted along with the name.  

The printed information mailed to pastors has the incorrect date printed on it. 

New Pastor Orientation on September 6, 2014 from 9 am until 4 pm at Carmel St. Marks is for all pastors serving in their first appointment (supply, local pastor, Elder, Deacon) and all pastors new to the Indiana Conference. Pastors who should have attended in the past but were unable to attend should also register. 

Local churches who would like to have a speaker come to their church to inform their congregation about Africa University and the Indiana A.U. Campaign can contact Ruth Ellen Stone at ruthellen1@juno.com or 317-839-8837. For more information, please click here.

The Indiana Annual Conference committed to support Africa University through a $1.6 million campaign to endow scholarships and a Chair in the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. We thank those churches that made a commitment to support the campaign during Annual Conference, and would like those churches to now indicate the amount of their pledge. We are also asking churches who have not made a commitment to prayerfully consider making a pledge. 

During a visit to Africa University in March 2015, Bishop Coyner will report on the progress we have made with the Indiana Campaign. Our goal is to have the $1.6 million pledged before Bishop Coyner visits Africa University. 

As the Ebola virus spreads in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, The United Methodist Church continues to be present and respond. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has distributed $87,000 in grants so far. Lifesaving supplies and protective equipment are on their way to Sierra Leone and Liberia. Ecumenical leaders in both countries led three days of fasting and prayer, Aug. 6-8. Gifts can be made to Disaster Relief, International #982450