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Location:
6425 Jefferson Rd. For
directions, click here.
FROM
THE BISHOP From By
contrast, the early Methodists were
known for spiritual vitality,
evangelistic zeal, and a missional
spirit. It is
ironic that in these early days of the
21st century we United Methodists find
ourselves struggling with some of the
same problems that the 18th-century
Church of England had. We
stand in desperate need of renewal. In
other words, we must reclaim the
missional perspective and power of the
early Methodist movement. Over
the past year, I have had the privilege
of working with several other bishops
on ways to bring renewal and spiritual
vitality to our
denomination. With
indebtedness to these leaders, I want
to share with you my version of the
characteristics found in vital,
effective United Methodist churches
throughout our connection: • Radical
hospitality.
Are we really open to all
persons in our
community? Are
we reaching out to form
relationships with those whom
Charles Wesley called "Jesus'
bosom friends" -- the poor,
the children, the powerless,
the vulnerable, the
imprisoned? The
early Methodists yearned for a
transformation of their own lives and
their sin-distorted attitudes, so that
they might conform to Christ's abiding
love for God and for
neighbor. With
that in mind, think about how your
church might be evaluated by the six
"faith-forming practices" listed above.
I believe all six are necessary if our
church is to be renewed. Encourage
congregational conversation about these
matters -- and let us all be willing to
allow the Spirit of God to change us
and make us new. Bishop
G. Lindsey Davis
Gateway
Church gathers
for worship
Sundays
at 10:30 a.m.
(Hwy. 129) in Athens,
Georgia.
Ministry
of the
Word:
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sermons
Our quarterly e-magazine
Gateway
Today
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Pastor
Jerry's Weekly
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Today
The
e-magazine of
Gateway Church
FALL
2006
Back
to the
future
Keys
to reclaiming Methodist
vitality
The
Methodist movement began as an effort
to renew the Church of England, which
had become marked by low commitment and
a general sense of spiritual
lethargy.
Six
key practices
Have we structured the life of
our congregation in a way that
reaches out to persons in our
community, placing their needs
ahead of our own?
•
Spirit-filled
worship.
This is worship that truly
invites participants to
celebrate the good news of
Jesus Christ -- and to be
shaped and formed by the
gospel into the image of
God.
Passionate, spirit-filled
worship can happen within any
style or tradition of worship.
It is worship that, when the
community of faith is
gathered, allows persons to
experience God's holy presence
in a powerful way.
•
Faith-forming
relationships.
John Wesley called on us to
"watch over one another in
love."
Are we, through small groups
within the life of the local
church, nurturing one another
in discipleship?
Are we providing the mutual
support, mentoring, and
accountability that all of us
need in order to grow in our
faith?
•
Risk-taking
service.
Do we hide behind the walls of
our churches and attend only
to the needs of our own
people?
Or are we willing to identify
-- and risk being involved in
addressing -- the primary
hurts in our community?
In an effort to bring healing
and hope to our community, are
we willing to risk failure?
•
Extravagant
generosity.
Have we gone beyond giving as
a duty or obligation and
really embraced the concept of
committing all that we have to
the cause of Christ?
Are we giving out of a deep
joy for all that God has done
for us?
Do we see examples of folks
giving in ways that seem
utterly amazing to us?
Are our congregations being
taught biblical principles of
giving, so that they
understand all we have belongs
to the Lord and we are simply
temporary stewards?
•
Joyful
connection.
Are we reaching out to the
world beyond our own culture
to make the world our
parish?
Are we celebrating our United
Methodist institutions, and
the way in which we are
privileged to participate with
them in God's mission to the
world?
Do we find excitement and joy
in making a transformational
difference in the world?
Yearning
for transformation
North Georgia Conference
The United Methodist
Church