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Starting New Churches
Part II
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Small
churches thrive amidst challenges
One of the challenges small
membership churches face is finding pastoral leadership. For many, it is difficult or
impossible to pay the conference's minimum salary for an ordained elder or full-time local
pastor. But that doesn't stop those churches from being in vital ministry, according to
conference leaders who work closely with small-membership churches.
Small membership churches, those with 100 or fewer members, make
up nearly one quarter of the churches in the Florida Conference. Approximately 140
churches are being served by either part-time local or supply pastors. Full Story
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Church buys theater
Many churches these days are buying video screens or building sanctuaries well-fitted for
multimedia-infused worship. Edgewater United Methodist Church in Port Charlotte bought a
movie theater.
The church, which moved into the former Regal Cinema 8 complex in
July, had reached a point of potential stagnation due to its physical space, according to
the Rev. Dr. David Blood, Edgewater's pastor. The deal was struck last spring, with the
church paying $2.45 million for the complex and the theatre's owners purchasing the
church's existing property. Full Story
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Hispanics hold first assembly
Florida Conference Hispanics met for the first time Sept. 28-29
under their new leadership structure, and several elements of that structure became the
focus of discussion.
The Assembly is a new leadership structure for Florida's 40
Hispanic churches and missions. Its goal is to promote unity within the Hispanic
community, celebrate and plan ministries, and interpret and promote conference ministries
to the Hispanic community. Full Story
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Flood answers prayer for
small congregation
When the Withlacoochee River spilled over its banks here last
month, the flood affected more than 200 homes, filling some with as much as four feet of
water. The Rev. Deborah Nelson, pastor of Community United Methodist Church here, said the
disaster was not large enough to qualify the area for federal disaster funds, but it did
provide the church the opportunity to minister to its community.
Relief efforts include handing out food vouchers and meals ready
to eat, giving away bleach to decontaminate wells and pumping septic tanks. Nelson is
working with United Methodist Volunteers in Mission and Florida Baptist Disaster Relief to
bring in teams to help several elderly and disabled residents clean up their homes. Full Story |
Churches asked to lead
training
 After more than a year of conversations with and
surveys of local church leaders, the Florida Conference Council on Ministries (CCOM) has
decided to ask churches to play a lead role in providing leadership and spiritual
formation training.
This new direction by the CCOM will encourage church leaders by
providing opportunities for them to share their knowledge and skills with other clergy and
laity, according to the Rev. Carol Sue Hutchinson, director of the CCOM's Discipleship
Ministry office. It will also foster stronger relationships within churches and the
conference. Full Story |
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