The Nov. 1-3 event drew youth from 32 United Methodist churches across Minnesota to explore the theme “Something New,” based on 2 Corinthians 5:17.
“I have a stronger connection to God now than I ever have in my life,” said Michael Coyne, who joined the church and has become one of its primary evangelists.
Some of the inspiring and heartwarming stories behind the making of the scarves, which will be gifted to all who attend General Conference 2020 in Minneapolis.
An early look at some key legislation that The United Methodist Church's top legislative body will consider in May 2020.
About 50 clergy and lay leaders gathered to explore how to lead the church in a divergent culture at a liminal time, and how to live into our inclusive vision.
Sheilah Kyburz, who has supported four bishops over nearly three decades, announced plans to retire Aug. 1, 2020.
At the ConneXion retreat, participants spent time discerning and clarifying their purpose and path as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Sixty-two Minnesotans attended the event, which served as a forum for discussion and strategizing about the future of The United Methodist Church.
Heartwarming testimonies about finding faith, working toward financial freedom, giving lives to Christ, and praying for students starting a new school year.
How could you reach new people and live into God’s mission for your congregation with the help of a grant? Applications are due Oct. 15.
The church, now called Roots & Branches, will dedicate 50 percent of its budget to internal ministries and 50 percent to share with the community.
The new Tabernacle, with capacity for more than 300 people, is expected to open in time for the 2020 summer camp season.
“My greatest hope is to have all the community come together—not only the Haitian community but the community around the church,” said Rev. Mickson Deronvil.
Area pastors with 10 years of ministry or less who have completed approved financial education can apply by Sept. 30.
The program gives kids an opportunity to learn about the natural environment in a fun and engaging way.
Seven college students have completed a summer internship with The ELI Project. More than half plan to pursue vocational ministry.
Revs. Cindy Gregorson and Carol Zaagsma answer some questions and reflect on what inclusive vision we adopted at the 2019 Annual Conference means for us.
Nine Minnesota clergy just graduated from the program, now in its second year, and 11 more just began.
Those starting their first appointment in the Minnesota Conference share their gifts and passions, what they're looking forward to in their new roles, and more.
Sheri Meister—who possesses more than 30 years of fundraising and nonprofit experience—is the Minnesota United Methodist Foundation’s new leader.
Annual Conference attendees named Holy Spirit breakthroughs ranging from innovative outreach to new worship experiences to sharing God’s love with children.
Two camp directors who received awards talk about their vocation and faith, and share some thoughts about leadership.
On behalf of children suffering along the border and around the world, there are three things we can do to make an impact now.
Three days of annual conference turned into a summary of key points to share with members of your congregation!
"Go to the well," Bishop Ough said. "Tell everyone you can where they can find the living water.
Conference members voted on several key pieces of legislation—and elected delegates to represent them at the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences.
Teaching session speaker, Rev. Dr. Mark Teasdale, broke down fears and stereotypes to show that we can all be effective evangelists.
Annual Conference members voted 491-86 to adopt the vision and 446-108 to adopt a statement against the General Conference-approved Traditional Plan.
Conference preacher Rev. Bill Eaves invites us to think about how we can build bridges with those around us and embody a “both/and” church.
Those being licensed or ordained are “prisoners of hope...trusting in a future none of us see, but one they believe God is even now creating,” Bishop Ough said
Attendees celebrated Holy Spirit breakthroughs in our midst—ways in which Minnesota United Methodists are daring to reach new people and love boldly.
More than 130 Minnesota United Methodist churches have communicated their values with the help of a grant.
Five of the participants reflect on the three-day national gathering and what's next in their effort to build a more inclusive church.
The summit brought more than 300 attendees to Minneapolis to collaborate on a vision of the church that centers people of color and queer and trans individuals.
An endowed scholarship in the Oughs' names will provide an annual scholarship to a Hamline University student discerning a call to vocational ministry.
The Rev. Richard Ormsby Secondary School in Baiwalla, Sierra Leone, will open its doors in September and enable 800 children to graduate from high school.
The Ministry Lab fosters experimentation, innovation, and creativity for churches as they seek to remain vibrant and relevant.
At a recent training, 30 people reflected on God’s call to care for the planet and learned skills for organizing their communities around environmental justice.
Two delegates will represent Minnesota at next year's General Conference, and four will represent us at the North Central Jurisdiction Conference.
Four new interns will be joined by two returners, who will gain a new perspective of ministry and the first-timers through an “ELI 2.0” experience.
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Ferris is the Dakotas-Minnesota Camp and Retreat Ministry’s marketing and outreach project coordinator, a part-time position that began March 15.
Rev. Mark Miller has been appointed to Resurrection UMC of Hastings—and Rev. Laurie Kantonen will succeed him as North Star District superintendent.
Has your church's reputation been impacted following General Conference? Apply for a Love Boldly Micro Grant to send a message of welcome in your community!
NCJ bishops acknowledged the pain and anguish within the church, and pledged to journey with United Methodists and think creatively with them about the future.
"I pray in this moment for mature spiritual leadership among the clergy and laity of our global church...I pray that we will move toward the pain and grief."
Members of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area Host Team came to St. Louis to prepare to welcome United Methodists coming to Minneapolis for General Conference 2020.
“I leave this General Conference feeling disappointed and really heartbroken and yet...our work is not yet finished,” said Rev. Judy Zabel.
Minnesota delegates, most of whom have publicly voiced support of the One Church Plan, reacted with both disappointment and deep sadness.
Walker Brault and Matt Bader share their hopes for GC2019, what they value about The United Methodist Church, and their thoughts on reaching young people.
“We know there’s still much work to be done,” said Rev. Judy Zabel. “But let’s not lose hope.”
Minnesota delegates said it was a meaningful and significant way to begin their gathering and collective discernment process.
Visiting Minnesota United Methodists share why they made the trip to St. Louis and what their hope is for the next three days.
As the Special Session of General Conference begins, all congregations are encouraged to use this prayer during their worship services on Sunday (Feb. 24).
“I’m as plain and ordinary as you can get . . . If I can do it, anyone can do it,” Jack Rogers said about lay speaking.
The number of handmade scarves that congregations have pledged exceeds the 10,000 goal! Every General Conference 2020 attendee will be welcomed with a scarf.
We've compiled a great set of information and resources to help you understand and follow along with what happens at General Conference 2019.
Ten Minnesota clergy and eight Dakotas clergy are working on applied projects designed to connect course content to their professional work environment.
Featuring speaker Rev. Dr. Mark Teasdale, stories from risk-taking ministry makers, a new schedule, and inspiration to offer others the gift of living water.
“Whatever decisions the General Conference makes, the ministry to which we are called...will continue.”
Live streaming has become a key tool to help churches reach new people, share Christ, and provide support to those who aren’t part of a church community.
The Foundation board has begun a search for the organization’s next executive director.
Each month, members of the small congregation visit two area nursing homes and lead residents in song, a message that relates to scripture, and prayer.
The church started a weekly bilingual worship service in May 2018 that welcomes 20 to 30, and its Wednesday programming draws 40 to 50.
A powerful testimony about finding a church home, Santa bringing cheer to a sick boy, and a unique prayer ministry are stories that will touch your heart.
The small congregation is still in shock and mourning after a fire destroyed the church building—but God has been present amid the devastation.
Church leaders gathered in Minneapolis last month to learn best practices for innovative start-up projects.
Bonnie Humke, a member of Little Prairie UMC, started an e-greeting card company to help people share messages of hope and comfort.
This nonprofit is feeding students, giving scholarships, planting avocados, distributing glasses, and providing opportunities for life-changing experiences.
A new campus ministry, the Wesley Foundation at Minnesota State University, Mankato, welcomes and supports dozens of college students.
Four clergy from Minnesota and the Dakotas reflect on what they are learning through a non-profit church leadership certificate program that began in July 2017.
Hundreds of youth from 33 Minnesota United Methodist churches explored the unique call God has placed on their lives while having fun.
Embracing God's love, finding a church home, reaching youth through an after-school kids club, and 16 baptized one Sunday are among these uplifting stories.
Bishop Ough told attendees that the way for us to be the church now and in the future is to stay in love with union.
Evans describes three events from her youth that defined her life’s direction and recounts how she came to recognize and embrace her God-given gift of writing.
Eight great ideas to help you reach new people through evangelism, discipleship, social media, new services and sites, and more.
Access to all the news articles, videos, and speaker presentation materials from Reach 2018!
For Rev. Kali Christensen, ministry success is measured by the answer to one key question: How much of the love of Christ has been shown?
In the final Reach keynote address, Weber told attendees: Know your "why," be the real you, and connect Jesus to reality.
Armstrong talked about the importance of listening to your community, opening the loop for new people, being intentional, and asking for help.
“You know what’s amazing about your story? It points back to God,” said Picardo. “It’s not just your story, it’s God’s story.”
Getting back to an outward focus means being clear about your purpose, embracing change, going out into deeper water, and trusting God, Nixon said.
Bishop Ough urged courage that maintains integrity to one’s true self and to the gospel of Jesus while transcending personal preferences for the sake of others.
Leaders of four churches that recently began the Healthy Church Initiative talk about what they're doing, learning, and discerning.
The conference received a grant and plans to identify areas where there’s indigenous leadership, passion, and energy for new Hispanic-Latino ministries.
Piedra Viva is focused on kids and families; its signature ministry is a guitar program that teaches youth a skill that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive.
Take a look at what we've accomplished together in the first five years thanks to your support of this initiative to start new churches and revitalize existing churches.
Isaiah Friesen, a full-time conference intern, looks forward to recruiting and rallying people to “the hard work of discipleship to God’s creation.”
Delegates from the North Central Jurisdiction gathered in Chicago for learning, discussion, worship, and fellowship in preparation for General Conference 2019.
Even if you can't attend REACH!, please pray for the gathering and its participants. Bishop Bruce R. Ough wrote a prayer that's available in bookmark form.
Twenty-four clergy received a $5,000 debt-reduction grant, and another round of grants will be given out this fall.
Catie Levenick and Sami Tierney will organize two high-impact youth events each year and hope to create a network for youth leaders to share ideas.
"As we break ground, we are affirming we are still in the business of building on the sure foundation, which is Jesus Christ," Bishop Ough said at the groundbreaking celebration.
Church members opened their hearts and building to a stranger, and in doing so, showed him Christ's love and inspired him to become a follower of Jesus.
Picardo offers five key pieces of wisdom from his experience planting churches and reaching new people for Christ (hear more from him at REACH! Oct. 5-6).
The new format helped double the number of kids attending. It all resulted from Rev. Robert Moorlach's experience as a part-time school bus driver.
All four said they are more confident in their potential for ministry work in the future, with three intending to pursue vocational ministry.
She talks about trusting God through a difficult pregnancy, deciding to raise her daughter in faith, and seeing God at work in her life and her daughter Elsa's.
After completing his Ph.D., Emmanuel Adeyemo will return to Nigeria and use his education and training to help increase food production there.
More than 100 people gathered in Minnesota to discuss environmental stewardship and explore specific ways in which they are called to care for the planet.
Bishop Ough will host 15 gatherings to continue the Conversations on A Way Forward as the denomination prepares for the special General Conference session.
Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
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