Connectionalism

I thought that I would write today about all the ways that we are serving the church outside of Faith UMC. Most of you do not know that we have members who represent us on committees at the conference level and in non-profits. Pastor Seungrok and I both serve on the district level to help shape new clergy and church revitalization. Let me explain the connection at it’s best.

Our Lay members (that’s people that are not clergy) are actively involved in extension ministries and conference leadership. Blake Steudtner represents Faith and serves on the Annual Conference Pensions Board securing the investments of our clergy and staff employees. Ken Noteboom also represents Faith and serves on the Equitable Compensation committee. This committee establishes the minimum compensation for clergy in the annual conference and helps churches who can not meet that minimum find resources to supplement.

In addition to serving the connectional church, we have two members who serve on extension ministry boards. Charlotte Langley currently serves on the Tulsa University Wesley Foundation board managing the oversite of this ministry with college students. She has several grandchildren who are students at TU and this is important to her. Ruth Storts has agreed to serve on the Board of Directors for Restore Hope Ministries. This United Methodist ministry helps people with food, school supplies and rent. We have had a long relationship supporting this Tulsa County mission.

Our Kid’s Director, Linda, served as the Dean of a Conference camp for children this summer. Our Youth Director, Mark, was also the Dean of the Youth Camp in June.

Pastor Seungrok serves on our District Board of Ordained Ministry. This group interviews and guides candidates for ministry who wish to become clergy. He also works with the Korean churches. Just this week, he hosted Korean pastors from Oklahoma and Missouri who serve in cross cultural appointments like he does. He has also been asked to work with the Conference Committee on Ethnic churches.

As for myself, I serve on the District Trustees and as part of that committee we are exploring building a new retail building with the church upstairs on our Brookside property. We are currently working with a local developer and are meeting every other week. I have also started working with a conference team called “Revitalization Incubator” where we are putting together a plan for existing churches to help them grow. I just wanted to share with you all the ways that our congregation serves the broader church in connection. This is wonderful Kingdom work and I am so glad that we have a healthy vibrant community in which we can help.

On Sunday, our District Superintendent, Rev. Terry Koehn will be worshiping with us and in the chapel at the 10:00 hour for you to meet and greet. We will also be hosting a group from Exodus House who will be sharing with us in the 11:00 worship service. They will be in the Cornerstone class at the 10:00 hour if you would like to meet and greet them as well. It will be a wonderfully connectional kinda weekend!

See you Sunday,