Butler District News

9/16/2021
Sweet Hour of Prayer: “The first time I participated in fixed-hour prayer, I felt like I had come home to a place I had never been and yet a place in which I truly belonged,” writes Ruth Hayley Barton. In a Beyond Words reflection, she explains how fixed-hour prayer nourishes the soul.  Read more here https://transformingcenter.org/2016/05/sweet-hours-of-prayer-how-fixed-hour-prayer-nourishes-the-soul/

Disciple-Making Resources: Discipleship Ministries offers a variety of free resources for church leaders and individuals to use. See what’s available and download  here https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/annual-conference-virtual-presence

Leading Amid Mask and Vaccine Controversy: Navigating the complicated and divisive issues of vaccines and mask-wearing has made ministry during this pandemic even more fraught for many pastors and congregations. Doug Powe and Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center say the key question is how we can be God’s ambassadors in the midst of this tension. They outline four strategies to reframe the debate. Learn more here https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/leading-amid-controversy-over-masks-and-vaccines/

Need Help with Social Media? Using social media to reach new people might seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. If your church could use some help with social media marketing, apply to UM Communications to receive free one-on-one coaching and/or Facebook Ads assistance tailored to your church’s unique needs. Learn more and apply  here https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/services/local-church-marketing-services
 

Resource UMC shares a collection educational and practical resources gathered by the Virginia Conference that will boost our understanding and ability to care for refugees. See resources

here https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/resources-to-help-afghan-refugees

Church World Service, a UMC partner organization, is one of the agencies actively working to welcome refugees. Learn more here https://cwsglobal.org/take-action/afghan-siv-and-refugee-program/

8/12/2021

Rebuilding Church Choirs after a Pandemic: As churches begin to re-open, it's time to think about how we will welcome back our choirs. Several guest writers share their experiences as we plan for rebuilding church choirs after the pandemic. Read More!

 
New- Clergywomen Still Under-compensated: Since the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women began monitoring disparities in compensation for UMC clergy by gender, things got worse for women clergy before getting slightly better in 2020. In 2011, clergywomen, on average, made 13% less than clergymen did. In 2015, it was 16% less. The 2020 study shows clergywomen made, on average, 11% less in salary. See the details


Boy Scout Bankruptcy Affects Churches: As Boy Scouts of America moves through a bankruptcy process, it recently reached a tentative settlement agreement with survivors of sexual abuse. Questions remain about how that agreement might affect chartered organizations, including thousands of United Methodist congregations that have sponsored scouting programs. An ad hoc committee established to represent United Methodist interests is actively engaged in the bankruptcy process and related negotiations. That committee has some recommendations for chartering congregations as the process continues. Read press release

Rural Churches Can Thrive! While the demise of small, rural churches sometimes seems irreversible as United Methodist faithful grow older, there are ways to revitalize these congregations by focusing on what their communities most need. Bigger and younger is not always better, say some United Methodist experts. Read story

What’s Critical Race Theory? Our denomination’s Religion and Race resource library has a page that defines the construct and offers some information that Christians should know about it. There’s a video and some helpful infographics to download. Check it out here https://www.r2hub.org/library/what-is-critical-race-theory

World Photography Day: For World Photography Day on August 19, United Methodist Communications offers a variety of photographic resources for local churches. There’s a searchable media library of downloadable images, a training course on Capturing Better Smartphone Photos, a video tutorial on making photo slideshows and articles with tips for taking better pictures. Take a look 

Facing Emotional Chaos? Men who find themselves in emotional chaos can find a way out. Prayer, forming an intentional relationship with Christ and engaging in accountability relationships with other men are key steps toward emerging from a dark stretch, the Rev. Rick Vance said during a presentation at a retreat sponsored by the Commission on United Methodist Men. Read report on retreat here https://www.gcumm.org/news/weekend-retreat-helps-men-cope-with-chaos?mkt_tok=MDc4LUpYUS02NDMAAAF-1hiugPzXB2JfmaKdXdz3yeWDg0Wk3wxxERBrKQLm1vLhTsC718rLRmJA_Du78Atdur3iC1qkXHX4qyo7gPwQKrA17mznW6nLTc5KmOnCeYHfQw

Jesus' Model of How to Unplug: When Jesus took time for spiritual renewal, he went into the wilderness, writes the Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter. She suggests that to connect with God, Christians take some time away from their laptops, calendars and smartphones. Read commentary here https://rebekahsimonpeter.com/unplugged-like-jesus?mkt_tok=MDc4LUpYUS02NDMAAAF-0PJRg3cwBGhBsQC4r1PnDITL8AQuO7Zd6JSlr3TTKvDJ0MLLl4ktV_bc4flHe8PfuivbwyrX8_A579JHPhPeunNESo7L8u-JwismZBjWpuIeJw

Talking About Money in Church: Ann Michel of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership writes that churches can promote financial transparency and enhance generosity by addressing the often-taboo subject of money more openly and faithfully. She offers seven practical strategies to improve the tone of your conversation around money and giving. Learn more.here 
https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/7-ways-to-make-it-easier-to-talk-about-money-in-church/

Cultivating Generosity: One of the best ways to inspire giving to fund ministry is sharing stories of how lives have been changed, but there are pitfalls, says Joe Park of Horizon Stewardship. See what they are here https://www.horizons.net/blog/eight-common-pitfalls-in-offering-talk-storytelling

Discussing Christian Nationalism-Carefully: The Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol spurred a new Courageous Conversations resource from Discipleship Ministries. It is designed to help United Methodists talk about Christian nationalism while maintaining civility. Read more  here https://www.umnews.org/en/news/discussing-christian-nationalism-carefully?mkt_tok=MDc4LUpYUS02NDMAAAF-p78nBblPcyPDDZr4NT3JNOticqvBbhoXwNedJM_n_BRuSw7K62eSzM_eqla5pWOlYR0l8l1hH1V0-43Ulsm2kSuJnGnnaIVRU-yOsyl1v7Vh_A

8/12/2021
The Caring Congregation offers guidance on the best Christian practices to help people move through life’s challenges. The method of care is based on a team approach that empowers both pastors and laity (serving as Congregational Care Ministers or CCMs) working together to support the congregation and community. Learn more and listen to podcasts at thecaringcongregation.com

Want to Connect with New People?  Focus on the people God has already put in your path, says Ann MIchel of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Learn more here
https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/connecting-with-the-people-god-has-placed-in-your-pathway/

Want to Use Zoom to connect with church members and the community? If you don’t already have an account, you can be a part of United Methodist Communications’ Enterprise-level account. Features include up to 500 participants, no time limits, webinar functionality and much more; licenses are valid through April 19, 2022. Get details here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiEU0OXGR432ZEdD2BjGGReFeptUZIVEQsyAeGzcIsLveFPg/viewform

Facilitating Hybrid Worship: The global pandemic has changed the way we think about and do worship. The new reality is there are congregants who are as comfortable at home in their pajamas as others are sitting in the pews. If you’re trying to figure out a hybrid worship model, Jeremy Steele has some tips.  here https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/hybrid-worship

NEW - CLERGY TITLES

Earlier this year, because of a number of questions, the Bishop clarified some confusion over the titles used for various types of clergy. Here is a copy of her letter that was distributed. Please use it for your reference and for clear communication:

Pastor - In the United Methodist Church, this title is reserved only for those who are under appointment by a bishop.  It also can be used in retirement by those who have been ordained or have completed the Course of Study.  This title cannot be used by persons hired by local churches.

Reverend – Use of this title is not necessarily governed by United Methodist polity.  However, historically it is reserved for those who have earned a Master of Divinity or Master of Theological Studies degree or completed the requirements for Associate Membership.

Licensed Local Pastor - This term applies to those who have been issued a license by a bishop in the United Methodist Church.

Minister - This term can be used to refer to persons hired by churches to provide ministerial type services.  For example, Minister of Music, Youth Minister, Minister for Pastoral Care would be appropriate for laypersons or clergy from another denomination who are not serving under appointment, but, rather, have been hired by the local congregation.  This title can also be used for Certified Lay Ministers who volunteer in local churches or are hired by District Superintendents to provide pulpit supply. 

Deacons are a diverse population of clergy.  If a Deacon has been appointed to serve as pastor of a local church, the title of pastor is appropriate.  If a Deacon serving in extension ministry has been granted sacramental rights, they can be referred to as a pastor.  Beyond these absolutes, Deacons can use the title of pastor if they choose because they are, in fact, under appointment in a clergy role.  Some Deacons, however, prefer not to be referred to as pastor, so when in doubt, ask. It is always appropriate to refer to a Deacon as Reverend.

I hope that these descriptions provide clarity as we seek to be more consistent and transparent in all that we do as an annual conference.  As always, if you have any questions you may ask your District Superintendent.  Members of the Board of Ordained Ministry can also answer your questions regarding appropriate titling - particularly regarding changes in the title as persons navigate the ordination process.

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-Copyright Extended: The United Methodist Publishing House is extending full permission to all churches for use of its copyrighted worship materials through December 31. This includes the use of the Common English Bible. Read the press release.