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Soaring – Bishop's Blog
New Church Starts
July 28, 2009
In 1950 the North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church decided to make new church starts a priority. In the late 1990s Steve Compton then Director of Congregational Development stated that about 65% ... more
Housing Scams
July 23, 2009
I was watching the news tonight and was made more keenly aware of how people take advantage of others during difficult and hard times. There are people out there that are using the fact that ... more
When was the Last Time?
July 21, 2009
When was the last time you had fun? I mean real fun. Fun so great that your mouth hurt from laughing. fun so great you were exhausted from enjoying yourself. jesus declared I have come ... more
Entrepreneurial Spirit
May 7, 2009
I was just reflecting on my trip to Liberia this February and recalled an interesting encounter with some young entrepreneurs. We were on our way to visit the Ganta Medical Hospital, when we came across ... more
United Methodist commitment to higher education
September 26, 2008
I just received in the mail a list of the Holston Conference United Methodist students who are receiving scholarships from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. These students depend greatly on these funds ... more
John Wesley on holistic mission
August 8, 2008
Here is another book recommendation: "A Year with John Wesley and Our Methodist Values," by Michael J. Coyner, Henry H. Knight III, Sarah Heaner Lancaster, and Randy L. Maddox.This book takes you through a full ... more
I Am Still Committed
July 29, 2008
The July 27 shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church has shocked the city of Knoxville, the county of Knox, east Tennessee, and the entire United States. This tragedy has brought hurt, pain, and ... more
Is This a Turnaround?
July 10, 2008
Well, the membership figures for last year are in and ... the Holston Conference showed a net gain of 172 members.I commend the laity and clergy of Holston Conference for your willingness to invite, welcome, ... more
Annual Conference 2008
June 16, 2008
Well Annual Conference 2008 officially ended Wednesday June 11th but it is my hope that the ripple effects of this conference will last well past this year. The ordination of elders and deacons, commissioning of ... more
Ordination 2008
June 2, 2008
Last evening, the stately Central United Methodist Church building provided a beautiful and sacred space for the ordination of 11 elders and two deacons under the 1992 Book of Discipline. Doug Grove-DeJarnett and his able ... more
Four Areas of Focus for the UMC
May 27, 2008
I realize that news coming from General Conference can sometimes be so sketchy that you may miss some important issues decided by the delegates. There were four focus areas lifted up that I want you ... more
Transfiguration Sunday
January 23, 2008
We are headed to the celebration of Transfiguration Sunday on Feb. 3 and then on to the celebration of Ash Wednesday on Feb. 6. Some of us have our attention focused on the upcoming Super ... more
Let Us Journey Together
January 15, 2008
I will be departing today to begin the first leg of our journey to retrace the footsteps of the Exodus of liberated Hebrew slaves from Egypt. I find it extremely interesting that this journey begins ... more
The Conversation Continues
January 10, 2008
Evelyn Laycock was one of the speakers for the Congress on Evangelism, held Jan. 2-5 in Savannah, Ga. She taught on the Parable of the Talents. I would advise my readers to get the DVD ... more
Let Us Hear It From the Outside
January 10, 2008
In the second year of my appointment to St. Mary’s Road United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ga., we decided that we needed to develop a vision statement. I can’t remember where I got the idea ... more
