November 7, 2008 Arkansas United Methodist 11
What does it
COMMUNICATIONS, continued from page 1
mean to be
two-year communications plan for the everything we had been doing as far as church. (See sidebar this page.)
conference. The first step in developing communications.” “We worked over a couple of
United Methodist?
the plan was a wide-ranging survey of Szenher also conducted interviews months on just who are we as United
conference com- with a representative group of key Methodists,” Taylor said. A short
The following statement of belief
munications con- stakeholders, both clergy and lay. “elevator speech” that provides a cap-
was developed as part of the new
ducted about 18 And what were the findings? “We sule of the key tenets of Methodism
Arkansas Conference communica-
months ago. “We were all over the board,” Taylor said. was printed on a handy pocket-size
tion effort:
got a lot of “There was no umbrella under which card. A simple bookmark features
We accept God’s love as a gift
good information all of these pieces are identified as key questions-and-answers about
that is meant to be shared; so the
pointing the direc- being a) from the Conference, and b) Methodism. These messages will not
mission of United Methodists in
tion of where we being United Methodist. And that’s a only be emphasized by conference staff
Arkansas is to make disciples of
needed to go,” key piece of raising awareness among and church leaders, but these resources
Jesus Christ for the transformation
said Martha those who are maybe not so familiar are available to all church members
of the world — one person at a time.
Taylor, conference Martha Taylor with who we are as Methodists.” and will be distributed to local church-
We are an inclusive church —
director of com- One of the things Szenher found to es in coming months.
everyone is welcome at our munications. be “extraordinary,” Smith said, was Taylor described the elevator
Communion table. We have a place “One thing we wanted to find out that “every single one of the persons speech and the key messages as
for you, and your prayers, presence, was who our audience really is, how she interviewed, when she asked ‘What “tactics” to help accomplish the goals
gifts, service and witness are needed.
much people use the web site, the is the mission of the church?’ said ‘to of the communications plan, which are
As members of a worldwide connec-
Internet, read emails, read the make disciples of Jesus Christ.’ People “to identify and to clarify the work of
tional church, we have a human
Arkansas Methodist — which vehicles knew it! One hundred percent. That the Conference and to equip local
connection of fellowship, a theological
of communication they use,” said Roy was incredible.” churches.”
connection of belief, a purposeful
connection of mission, and a structur-
Smith, conference director of Taylor said their work showed that “One of the things we realized in
al connection of practice. Through
ministries. For instance, there is church members know what the talking about key messages is there’s
our worldwide connection, United
often an assumption that younger church’s mission is, “but they just some common practice among United
Methodists are often first responders
people are the only ones who utilize aren’t always clear on how to articulate Methodists that are important —
to disasters and human need.
the Internet, or that older persons that and how to share that with one things like a communion table that’s
Thinking for yourself is encour-
don’t use e-mail. another, internally within the church, open, we baptize infants, we ordain
aged through founder John Wesley’s
“We discovered we have a number and with others.” women … These are givens, common
practice that incorporates scripture,
of senior members of churches who are When asked, “What does it mean practice,” Smith said.
experience, reason and tradition.
very Internet savvy,” Smith said. “So to be a United Methodist,” Taylor said “Then there’s a kind of theological
Living the United Methodist way we were trying to get beyond those church members — both those new to understanding when we talk about
includes Wesley’s general rules: Do stereotypes and assumptions and make the church and long-time members — grace — and grace is really at the cen-
no harm. Do good. Stay in love with
decisions based on the real live people often find it difficult to come up with ter of where we are and what we
God through following the means of
we are serving.” an answer. offer,” he said. “So we began to make
grace — prayer, meditation, search-
With the survey results in hand, the As a result, the conference ministry a way to begin to share that deeper,
ing the scriptures, public worship, the
next step was a communications audit, team, guided by the communications wider sense of how we’re connected in
sacraments, and Holy Conferencing.
conducted by consultant Jessica professionals, identified and practice as United Methodists.”
Four areas of focus for United
Methodists are developing principled
Szenher, a United Methodist with more articulated the key messages of the [Part 2: The ultimate goal of conference
Classifieds
communications.]
Christian leaders for the church and
than two decades of experience in the
the world, creating new places for
communication field.
new people by starting congregations
“We gave her every brochure we
and renewing existing ones, engaging
could put our hands on,” Taylor said.
in ministry with the poor, and stamp-
“We gave her the Journal, copies of the
ing out killer disases by improving
Arkansas Methodist, any kind of print-
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED in the Arkansas United DIRECTOR FOR YOUTH MINISTRIES at Greenbrier
health globally
ed piece of communication. She
Methodist for 50 cents per word, no limit. Call (501) First United Methodist Church. Vital, growing,
.
Remember When
324-8031, or mail to: Arkansas United Methodist, 2 dynamic church needs an enthusiastic person/cou-
reviewed our web site and looked Trudie Kibbe Reed Dr., Little Rock, AR 72202; or e- ple to direct youth program. Must have a heart for
mail: mtaylor@arumc.org. ministry with young people. Must be at least 21
years of age. Prefer experience with church youth
COLLEGE DEGREE/Home Study. Save $$$ ministry. Applicants will undergo a criminal back-
Christian Bible College, P.O. Box 8968, Rocky ground check. Part-time position with salary of
Mt., N.C. 27804; phone (252) 451-1031; $20,000. Please send resumé and 3 references to
www.christianbiblecollege.org Greenbrier First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box
126, Greenbrier, AR 72058.
SYLVAN HILLS UMC, SHERWOOD, has immediate
opening for part-time (20 hours per week) staff posi-
100 Years Ago
EL DORADO FIRST United Methodist Church has an
Organist and Choirmaster, will pres-
tion as Director of Youth Ministries. Responsibilities
immediate opening for a full-time Director of Youth
Nov. 5, 1908: Rev. Y.A. Gilmore is
ent a program of contemporary music.
include working with Pastor and Staff of growing
Ministries. Salary commensurate with experience.
congregation, maintaining Youth ministries calendar,
finishing his third year on the Elm
This program is in celebration of the
Health insurance and vacation provided. Contact
scheduling Youth events, mission trips, district and
Rev. Jim Polk at (870) 862-1341 for more informa-
Springs circuit, Arkansas Conference.
twentieth anniversary of Mr. Summers
conference events, and attendance at weekly staff
tion.
There have been eighteen preachers
meetings. To set up an initial interview and to get a
as organist and choirmaster. full copy of the job description, contact the church
licensed to preach from this circuit
20 Years Ago
office as soon as possible at (501) 835-33410. Rev.
NOW HIRING: Executive Director, Central Arkansas
Ministry for Homeless Families. Requires degree in
and four of them were licensed this
Nov. 4, 1988: Hendrix College has
Jim Rowland is senior pastor.
social sciences, experience in case management,
year. Rather a remarkable piece of his-
received a Winthrop Rockefeller
FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES at
fund raising, 501(c)(3) administration, coordina-
tory. Bro. Gilmore is serving his sec-
tion of community services. Send resumé and salary
Foundation grant of $168,975, to be
Asbury United Methodist Church in West Little Rock.
Responsible for implementation of a full program
requirements: homelessministryinfo@yahoo.com.
ond term and is deservedly popular.
paid over a three-year period, to fund that provides the youth and their families the oppor-
a local foods project, according to
tunities for spiritual growth in worship, fellowship ASBURY UNITED METHODIST Church, 1700 Napa
50 Years Ago
and service. Prefer bachelor degree with background Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212, is seeking a
Gary L. Valen, dean of students at the
in Christian Education or equivalent work experience. part-time organist to accompany Chancel Choir for
Nov. 13, 1958: On Sunday after-
Methodist-affiliated school. The proj-
Direct all inquiries to Dr. Bryan Fink, Senior Pastor, traditional Sunday morning worship services,
noon, November 23, at four o’clock
ect is designed to provide healthy,
1700 Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212, or Wednesday evening choir rehearsals, funerals,
email to bryan@asbury-lr.org. Closes Nov. 20, 2008. weddings and other special worship services
in the Sanctuary of the First
nutritious food in the college dining
throughout the year. Please send resumé to Dr.
Methodist Church at 8th and Center
hall as part of a comprehensive well-
TWO OAK PEWS for sale. Asking price for the 18-foot Bryan Fink, Asbury United Methodist Church, 1700
Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212, or email
Street in Little Rock, The Chancel
is $200 and 24-foot is $300. Please contact geyer-
ness program for the students, faculty springs.umc@comcast.net or call (501) 565-3175 if bryan@asbury-lr.org. Applications accepted
Choir, directed by John H. Summers,
and staff.
interested. through Nov. 15, 2008.
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