One of our United Methodist Bishops wasn’t kidding —
“We hope that every congregation will see itself as a mission station to serve others,” said Bishop Mike Conner, “and not as a religious club where the members expect to be pampered.”
— How might that change your local church’s budget?
From today’s entry in Disciplines 2026 (published by The Upper Room) —
During the season of Lent and getting closer to the Cross, it becomes even harder to believe in God’s promises. How can life come out of death? How can Jesus’ empty tomb mean resurrection for me?
Maybe the gift of these forty days is to give us time to ask these questions of ourselves and with one another.
Maybe Lent is our season to learn to trust again.
What would you change in your church’s weekly schedule if this hope were enacted?
“We hope that every congregation will see itself as a mission station to serve others, and not as a religious club where the members expect to be pampered.” — Bishop Mike Conner
“We hope that every congregation will see itself as a mission station to serve others, and not as a religious club where the members expect to be pampered.” — Bishop Mike Conner
Imagine taking that call seriously.
What’s one change you’d make this Ash Wednesday and moving through Lent together?
With gratitude to colleague and online friend Elle Dowd, quoting Rose Prendeville —
“What radicalized you?”
“The Stations of the Cross
during Lent
when I was 9.”
“We hope that every congregation will see itself as a mission station to serve others, and not as a religious club where the members expect to be pampered.” — Bishop Mike Conner
Switch the speaker from being a United Methodist Bishop to a couple of people you know who are currently un-churched and might be church-shopping (or is that church-hopping?)…
“We hope that every congregation will see itself as a mission station to serve others, and not as a religious club where the members expect to be pampered.”
— Does the difference take on a bit more poignancy?
As in, also an eternal one?
“We hope that every congregation will see itself as a mission station to serve others, and not as a religious club where the members expect to be pampered.” — Bishop Mike Conner
With gratitude to Dean McIntyre, colleague, online friend, and who threw me a life preserver in a difficult time long ago —-
Doug Lawrence wrote in his blog, “In many churches the leadership has essentially bailed on anyone over 40. They decided long ago that they would try to capture younger audiences even if it meant abandoning other generations. This is not a criticism of that reality, but, ‘Bless Their Hearts,’ it was stupid!
Without age diversity, musical diversity, and (please) racial diversity, our churches insulate themselves in a cocoon of sameness.”
Leads me to ask:
1) Is it so in your church?
2) Is it, as Lawrence says, “stupid?”
3) Should we adopt this principle, and if so, how?
4) If not, what SHOULD we do in worship?
— As always, I look forward to your reply.
“You’re never too old to start a new adventure.”
—Man on the Inside, S1 E8
Wanna know more?
Check out Psalm 92:14.
And I hope to see you back here tomorrow.
joescheets 