Those from our church who were privileged to attend Annual Conference in June came home excited about the Conference, including what they heard from Adam Hamilton, pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. The church has grown from four people in 1990 to its current membership of 12,000 under his pastoral leadership. It is a church that is serving Christ in many exciting ways, and we feel we have something we can learn from their vision and faithfulness. We don’t want to be another Church of the Resurrection in Fountain City. We do want to be a stronger Fountain City United Methodist Church serving Christ in Fountain City and even around the world.
The Church of the Resurrection sponsors a leadership institute each fall that attracts folks from many denominations and from non-denominational churches. Our Staff-Parish Relations Committee has agreed to a vision of sending 12 people (the three pastors, full time program staff and six other lay people) with the goal of continuing to develop outstanding leaders and improving the quality of our ministry, preaching and worship. The event is scheduled for October 8-11, including the opportunity to worship at the church.
Expenses for this trip will run about $7,500. We, obviously, do not have this kind of cash flow but feel it is important for our church to be well represented in this learning opportunity. We are asking for folks to make voluntary contributions to this effort, over and above your regular giving to the church. If you would like to support this financially, please mark your check or envelope “continuing education.” We also ask for everyone’s prayers for this effort.
If you have access to the Internet and would like to know about this continuing education opportunity, visit the Institute’s website at www.cor.org/li2009. You will find what you want there and more!
We are grateful for our staff’s willingness and eagerness to continue to grow in their leadership skills.
