Columns

What’s Old is New Again  By Anne Packard   “Much of the steadfastness and solidarity that Methodism has since exhibited to the world is due to the just and balanced judgement which restrained him (John Wesley) and his adherents from playing the part of revolutionary agitator or wild fanatics.” Episcopal Address 1918 General Conference Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia   The General Conference meeting in 1808 greatly changed the roles of bishops in the Methodist movement. Fearing that the episcopacy ...

By Dr. Craig Rikard   In John 20 the apostle John reminds us it was still dark when Jesus rose. Mary found the empty tomb before the morning sun appeared.   There are too many who feel as though they live in the shadows and darkness. Perhaps they assume their sins are too overwhelming, even for God to forgive. Some just don't have a great knowledge of Christianity and church. Thus, they feel uncomfortable on Easter amid the joyful hymns, prayers, and shouts of Hallelujah. For whatever reason, ...

What’s Old Is New Again  By Anne Packard   A little over fifty years ago, the Methodist church faced fierce debate to proposed changes in the organization and practices of the denomination. These proposed changes had been discussed for twenty years prior to the voting and members on both sides felt strongly that there was a right way and a wrong way to move forward. Sound familiar? What’s old is new again.   While accessioning local church records, an artifact from Edgewood UMC stood out for the...

By Anne Bosarge    Hospitality is not just a good suggestion for the church, it’s essential to the church! Hospitality wasn’t just something nice people did for others; it was core to the culture of the early church.    What would it look like to recapture that sense of hospitality, not so we can just get people to come back, but purely and simply from a heart of love for our neighbors?     Recently, I led a Zoom conversation as we explored how to reinfuse a culture of hospitality in our ...

By Dr. Scott Hagan I called three people looking for assistance with a difficult conversation on my schedule. It took me a while to identify the difficult part of the conversation. I knew the content. I knew the audience. I knew the schedule. Yet, I had convinced myself that the person I would speak to might not be able to handle what I would have to share. I took a set of unrelated ‘facts’ and fabricated a story that they would not be able to understand what I was saying. Finally, on my third ...

By Anne Bosarge   I love M&M’s these days. Not just because of the tiny bite of chocolate and the colorful hard candy shell, but because of what it has been revealing to me about how much time we give the enemy in our thoughts and conversations. I have the privilege to work with churches in our conference helping them revitalize and realign around our mission. Lately I have been doing a simple activity that has revealed a lot about the tenor and topic of our conversations within the church. Here...

By Rev. J. Michael Culbreth   White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, written by Robert P. Jones, the founder and CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, is an appeal for the church, particularly white Christians, to address white supremacy that had its origins in the church and continues to prevail in the church. The book’s title stems from the words of James Baldwin who wrote: “They have been white…too long; they have been married to the lie of white ...

What‘s Old Is New Again By Anne Packard   February brings both confirmation studies and Black History Month to the forefront of the Methodist movement. Can these two seemingly unrelated topics be brought together for the benefit of the world? Yes, but only with the faith, hope, and love that God brings. Are we still confirmed to racial equity? What’s old is new again.   How can Methodists use the sacrament of confirmation to advance racial equity in their community? Here are seven examples of ...

By Dr. Craig Rikard   My first church was snuggled into the hills of rural Kentucky. It would have made a nice postcard scene. A large cemetery surrounded the one room church. They were Presbyterian but called this young Methodist theology student as their pastor until I graduated.   Their number had dwindled to about ten people. They perceived themselves as surviving, not thriving. They paid $50 a week. The church stood 65 miles away in Eastern Kentucky. Consequently, we lost money. Still, I ...

By Bryan Tener, Discipleship Ministries   February is Black History Month, and in the woven tapestry of The United Methodist Church, African Americans are—and have been—vital, having played a major role in the denomination’s development. Black History Month has been observed in February in the United States and Canada since 1976. The celebration of Black history was started by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as a weeklong focus to educate American people about African American history.   ...

By Magrey deVega, Ministry Matters A survey given several years ago by Christianity Today revealed the most popular things people give up for Lent: 1) social networking, 2) chocolate, 3) Twitter, 4) alcohol, and 5) chips. I for one am giving up the use of electronic devices at the dinner table, much to the delight of my two daughters. Madelyn is giving up playing games on her smartphone, and Grace is giving up afternoon snacks. I had to convince them that giving up homework was not an ...

What’s Old Is New Again  by Anne Packard   There are 103 historical markers that mention Bishop Francis Asbury along the east coast of the United States. The northernmost marker can be found in upper New York state near Lyons where Bishop Francis Asbury presided over the first session of the Genesee Conference Methodist Church on July 20, 1810. William McKendree was also present at this meeting. The southernmost historical marker can be found in our very own South Georgia Conference. It ...

By Rev. Dave Hanson   Susanna Wesley had her hands full raising so many children. She taught them to obey, to cry softly, and to behave. But there were times when things became hectic. At such times Susanna would simply pull her apron over her head. When she pulled that apron over her head the children knew it meant “Do Not Disturb!” The Rev. Dave Hanson is a retired South Georgia pastor and John Wesley scholar. He has written a book entitled "This is a John Wesley Moment." You can purchase the...

By Laura Buchanan      Whether beginning a new calendar year, a new year after a birthday or starting fresh after a challenging season, setting a goal can be a helpful tool for self-accountability as you move forward. Many of us resolve to find a stronger connection with God in these moments.   Here are ten resolutions that will help you grow your faith:   Deepen discipleship Commit to reading your Bible. The reassurance found in Scripture can only be discovered by setting aside time to study ...

Ann Michel, Doug Powe, and Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership staff identify seven trends church leaders should keep in mind as they develop creative ministries to reach new people in 2024. Many of these trends are daunting, reflecting the long-term decline in worship attendance and the increasing percentage of Americans who claim no religious affiliation. But there are also glimmers of hope in giving trends, in the emergence of new, more nimble, often smaller, models of ...

By Hal Brady   The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, might have believed that “hope should abound” (Romans 15:13). But we are not quite so sure, are we? In times like these, “abound in hope”? Almost every newscast reminds us of the many dreary problems we face in the world today. Justice, for many, continues to be an elusive quality. People are angrier than ever. Wars continue. Crime is out of control. Drugs are destroying lives. The economy is shaky. Terrorism threatens. Family life is...

What’s Old Is New Again  by Anne Packard   Throughout 2023, Bishop Graves asked the South Georgia Conference to pray for God’s faith, hope, and love as the United Methodist Church navigates changing times. The Ministry of Memory gratefully fulfilled this request by remembering the prayers of other well-known Methodists who also navigated changing times with prayer. Beginning with John and Charles Wesley, moving on to Francis Asbury and Richard Allen, and ending with prayers for women’s full ...

By Hal Brady A minister asked his mother about her friend. His mother replied, “Why, son, she has been trying to die for years. Every time I see her or hear from her she will say, ‘I’m so glad to see you. But I probably won’t see you tomorrow because things are mighty bad. I don’t know that I will be here.’”  And then the minister’s mother added, “Son, if that woman ever worked as hard to live as she works to die it’s amazing to think how she might have enjoyed life!” In these two women we see...

By Dave Hanson   John Wesley spoke eight languages. His father urged him to study ancient languages in preparation for pastoral ministry. Of course, he knew English. For Biblical studies he learned Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke). Latin, he learned because “everybody” who was educated learned Latin. French was the language of scholars. German, he learned so he could communicate with the Moravians and Salsburgers in Georgia. And because there was a group of Spanish Jews in ...

By Anne Bosarge   Let’s talk volunteers. Think about Sunday service teams like: ushers, greeters, parking lot people, coffee shop servers, Children’s ministry workers, etc.   Would you describe your volunteer teams as a passionate army of fully equipped and deeply committed soldiers? Are people lining up to sign up to come aboard the battleship? Or does your volunteer system seem more like a sinking ship people can’t get off of quick enough?    I’d like to explore six crucial flips in thinking ...

What’s Old Is New Again  By Anne Packard   “On March 2, 1972 at a special session of the SGA Conference held at the historic Wesleyan College, this committee presented a resolution for merger and a simplified plan of agreement. After much discussion a simplified resolution was approved 372 to 273.” (History of the South Georgia Conference, p. 88)   The agreement may have been simplified and the resolution may have been simplified, but I can assure you that the journey to this vote was anything ...

Here's a word of encouragement from Dr. Craig Rikard to his follow clergy for Pastor Appreciation month:   I've heard some churches say we can just get someone to be our preacher.   It is funny how someone thinks being a pastor is simply preaching once or twice a week.   Below is an accurate list of what I and most preachers I know do and have done. We don't just preach our opinion. We actually study the sacred text, seeking its original meaning and then find a way to build a bridge from that ...

By Anne Bosarge   In my role as Director of Leadership Strategies and Local Church Resources, I have the privilege of leading our SGAUMC’s Congregational Development team. In the last year, South Georgia has put a lot of effort and energy into church planting and revitalization. It’s an exciting time to be doing this work as we reimagine what church can look like in the future and dream of ways we can empower laity to be disciples who make disciples.     When I have meetings with groups of ...

by Hal Brady   An American cartoonist named Bill Watterson used to draw the comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” (1985-1995). In one of those comic strips Calvin, the little boy, comes marching into the living room early one morning. His mother is seated there in her favorite chair. She is sipping her morning coffee. She looks up at young Calvin. She is amused and amazed at how he is dressed. Calvin’s head is encased in a large space helmet. A cape is draped around his neck, across his shoulders and ...

By Anne Bosarge   Do you ever assume you know what people need? It’s easy for us to attempt to answer that for people we know well based on our previous experience with them. As parents, we often know our kids’ needs without even hearing a word. You might have a friend so close just by looking at them you can assess what they need. But even with people we know very well, we can make incorrect assumptions. We can assume our spouse needs space when what they really need is for us to come close. We...

By Dave Hanson   John Wesley wanted to help people. He was concerned about health. John studied medicine while preparing to visit Georgia because he felt it would be needed in those primitive conditions. He observed an autopsy while in Georgia. He organized clinics and treated people for all kinds of illnesses. He even wrote “Primitive Physic”, a very popular book on medicine. In this book he very simply named the disease, stated the symptoms, and gave advice on treatments. We laugh at some of ...

by Hal Brady   A tall, good-looking young man came to a minister’s study one day to talk. The young man obviously had a lot to live for, but he had a troubled outlook. He had just taken a series of tests for admission to college and the results had not been encouraging. “They tell me,” he said. “I just can’t cut it.” Now, I would dare say that this young man was speaking for a number of us within the sight of these words. Sometimes we feel that we just can’t cut it. We simply do not have a high...

by Hal Brady   Not long ago an associate pastor gave a children’s message to a large crowd of children at an 11:00 worship service.  Children were packed into every corner of the chancel area. She ended the brief homily by saying, “And God loves you and you and you,” pointing as she spoke in three different directions. Then she paused a moment to let the message sink in. During the silence, a child down at the far end of the chancel behind the baptismal font, toward which she had not pointed, ...

What’s Old Is New Again  By Anne Packard   “Let our rich women arouse themselves to consider the greatest problems of the time.”  --Belle Harris Bennett, Christian Advocate, April 4, 1895   How could the younger daughter of a prominent family in southeastern Kentucky born a decade prior to the Civil War fulfill her dream of educating women for the betterment of God’s kingdom? The answer is simple – prayer.   Belle Harris Bennett was born the daughter of eight children to Samuel and Elizabeth ...

by Hal Brady   A young preacher had given a practice sermon in a seminary class. His preaching professor was giving him a hard time. Finally, the young preacher said, “I thought it was a pretty good sermon.” The professor asked, “Why do you think so?” The student resounded, “I preached it last Sunday in my church and three people cried.” The professor replied, “I almost cried myself.” Now, I’m sure that young preacher lost a little confidence. I know because I’ve been there myself.     Today I ...

by Hal Brady   Since many teachers have officially returned to the classroom, I want to offer a word of thanks to teachers, leaders, administrators, and school staff. These folks carry such enormous opportunities and responsibilities - and sometimes burdens - and the overwhelming majority do so faithfully and effectively. Remembering them in our prayers and expressing appreciation for them is and will be most appropriate.  Honestly, what would we do without our teachers? Like you, I can ...

September Prayer Guide The South Georgia Conference is centering itself around prayer in 2023. September’s prayer guide, written by district lay leaders John Ray (Northeast), Karen Forrester (Southwest), Denise Rooks (South Central), and Scott Cleaveland (Coastal) is now available at www.sgaumc.org/year-of-prayer.   

By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton   Has your church dreamed of repairing its sanctuary or remodeling the bathrooms? Have you wondered if you could fix the leaking roof but just did not know where to get the money? In the past two years, South Georgia had churches that received Renfro Grants to help with projects like these.  The first was Pinkney Chapel in Folkston. They needed assistance to finish a bathroom renovation. The Renfro Grant gave them the help they needed to complete the work. The other ...

By Tony Caldwell   Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors have been the expression of the United Methodist Church since 2001. With this welcoming declaration as our guide, our church takes seriously our mission to the community.   Open Hearts: At the Hinesville First UMC, we aspire to see the divine spark in every person, treating everyone with compassion, kindness, and respect. We are a Christian community that expresses the loving example of Jesus Christ through nurturing and support for one ...

by Hal Brady   Sometime back while driving to a meeting, I passed a florist truck. I couldn’t help but notice the advertisement on the side of the truck. The advertisement read: “Flowers whisper how you feel.”    Undoubtedly, that’s true! Flowers do whisper how we feel. But perhaps even more, compassion whispers how we feel.  Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy upon him.” And then Jesus said to...

By Hal Brady   On a visit to one of the saints of the church, a minister suggested that they might conclude their time together by praying for her recovery. Now in the hospital, the lady had lived a rather full life-at least three score and ten. The quality of her life, however, had diminished considerably. Actually, she possessed little reason or will to continue. So, with immediate and total honesty, the saintly woman replied, “You can pray if you want, but I doubt if it will do any good.” I ...

PATHWAY TO HIS PRESENCE B.J. FUNK   Just that morning, she had been scolded by her younger sister for the constant trail of blood that always followed her. “Can’t you do something about it?”    Softly, she answered, her head down due to embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I try. I really do. And, the doctors have done everything they can do. I’m out of money. I need a miracle.”   She never dreamed adulthood could be so trying. She never dreamed her body’s monthly cycle would turn into a year round cycle,...

What’s Old Is New Again  Anne Packard   Decline in church membership due to population shifts. Great financial loss. A war between Russia and its neighbors involving Allied countries. Anxiety and confusion resulting in a crisis. Is it 1857 or 2023? What’s old is new again!   The North Dutch Reformed Church in lower Manhattan had been losing members due to white Protestants moving out of the area and immigrants and businesses moving in. In an effort to gain membership, outreach began to the new ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON   If John Wesley were here today, he would say, “Let us pray!” He would remind us that God does nothing in this world except in response to sincere, heartfelt prayer. You pray when you repent. You pray to receive salvation. You pray when you surrender to God’s will. You pray asking God to sanctify you. You pray for power to witness. Nothing in the spiritual realm is accomplished without prayer.   John Wesley was a man of prayer. He rose early in the morning and ...

By Dr. D. Craig Rikard    A dear elderly clergyman loaned me one of his robes for my ordination. Robes are very expensive; thus, I was thankful he cared about me enough to see that I would be ordained in proper attire. Forty-five minutes before the service I removed the robe from the garment bag and put in on. The zipper was torn the entire length of the robe. There were also tears here and there due to the fabrics age and brittleness. I then succumbed to fear of embarrassment. I would be ...

By Bishop R. Lawson Bryan   Because I believe science can be a resource for the Christian faith, it was fascinating to me to learn that scientists have developed a tool to measure “awe.” The Bible is filled with stories of men and women experiencing awe as a response to God’s presence: Moses and the burning bush; Isaiah in the temple; Mary at the annunciation; the Samaritan woman at the well; and Peter after the great catch of fish. Many of the Psalms (8, 19, 65, 66, 139) express a sense of awe ...

What’s Old Is New Again  Anne Packard   My sins were a heavy burden. I was tempted to believe there was no mercy for me. I cried to the Lord both night and day. One night I thought hell would be my portion. I cried unto Him who delighteth to hear the prayers of a poor sinner; and all of a sudden my dungeon shook, my chains flew off, and glory to God, I cried. My soul was filled. I cried, enough for me--the Saviour died. Now my confidence was strengthened that the Lord, for Christ's sake, had ...

A Word from Cameron Bishop, CEO, Wesley Glen Ministries   Following a cold winter, the campus of Wesley Glen Ministries is coming to life. The flowers are blooming, the grass is turning green, and leaves are returning to the trees that will soon provide us shade from the summer heat. But it is not just mother nature that is bursting with new life. We too are experiencing incredible growth at Wesley Glen. Not only are the individuals we serve growing spiritually, physically, and socially, our ...

PATHWAY TO HIS PRESENCE B.J. FUNK   Having fried chicken once a week was a given at my house. How well I remember coming in from school, starting my homework and hearing the first sounds of grease popping on the kitchen stove. Soon, the smell of mama’s chicken permeated the air, filling every available space with its mouth-watering aroma. My sister and I practically raced to get the table set, put the ice in the glasses, and pour our sweet tea.   I remember which piece each of us liked the best....

By Anne Bosarge Author and speaker Thom Rainer once did an informal survey on Twitter and asked how much time pastors spend in sermon preparation and exegeting scripture each week. Here is a breakdown of the results:  1-9 hours per sermon: 25% 10-18 hours per sermon: 69% 19-33 hours per sermon: 6% I think we would all agree that spending time on sermon preparation is extremely important. Good pastors spend time exegeting the text to make sure they have an accurate interpretation of the text ...

The following interview was posted on the South Georgia Abide website. Allison Lindsey is a member of St. Mark UMC in Douglas, Ga. and chairs the Conference Nurture Team. She formerly served as the Director of Connectional Ministries.   Where do you see God moving among us?  I have always felt very blessed for the doors that God has opened wide for me through The UMC. I have been given a front-row seat to see Him at work - "here, there, and everywhere". It's been an honor to serve as a Director ...

By Jason Mehl If you are not struggling with anxiety, you know at least one person who is. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 31% of American adults will experience anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. In the U.S., since the coronavirus pandemic, reported cases of anxiety and depression have increased by 6%. When we pray for the sick and the needy, our hearts are bent toward the restoration of the physical and mental health of everyone. Pastors, teachers, ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN ANNE PACKARD   The third article in our series supporting prayer in the South Georgia Conference focuses on Francis Asbury, one of the first two bishops of the newly created Methodist Episcopal Church and the architect of the Methodist movement in America. Asbury spent 45 years in the colonies and young country riding horseback and preaching to anyone who would listen. He was the most recognizable person in America during his time, and it is estimated that he rode 250,000...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON   Ooops! I made a mistake in a recent John Wesley Moment when I stated that John Wesley wrote Notes on the New Testament, but never wrote Notes on the Old Testament. Wesley gave three reasons for not writing Notes on the Old Testament. He was busy with other important things like evangelism. There were things in the Old Testament he did not understand, and others had already done an adequate job on the Old Testament.   Actually, these reasons were contained in the...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN  ANNE PACKARD    The second article in our series supporting prayer in the South Georgia Conference focuses on Charles Wesley, the sometimes-overlooked, younger brother of John. The eighteenth child of Samuel and Susanna, Charles was born prematurely and lay silent for the first few weeks of his life but certainly made up for it later by writing thousands of hymns for the newly formed Methodist movement. Charles, like the rest of the Wesley family, spent much of his life ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON   John Wesley was an evangelist, not a systematic theologian. However, he did stress several basic doctrines: salvation by grace, not by good works; free will, not predestination; sanctification, being made perfect in love in this life; and the power of the Holy Spirit. His passion was to spread scriptural holiness throughout the land. Wesleyan theology stresses personal and social holiness, purity of life.   Some of us tend to come down hard on those who do not ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN  ANNE PACKARD    The South Georgia Conference archives is housed at the Moore Methodist Museum and is responsible for collecting, preserving, and making accessible the historical records and artifacts of the Methodist movement in this area. After 157 years of ministry, there are many wonderful collections in the archives from local churches, conference ministries, and Methodist leaders but available storage space has become quite scarce.    Joel Willis, the CEO and ...

By Denise Rooks This past Christmas and many Christmases previously, Christians all around the world have celebrated the birth of Christ. This isn’t practiced because the Bible teaches us to celebrate Christmas, but because we want to take the time to celebrate and be thankful for the gift of Christ that God gave us. Christmas, like many celebrations, is an opportunity to share our faith and help others to understand it. When the Covid pandemic occurred, we had to change the way we celebrated ...

by Hal Brady   One of the greatest needs of our time and all time is “kindness.” Imagine how different everything would be if kindness prevailed. I started thinking about this when I saw a meaningful definition and explanation of kindness. Initially, though, I was reminded of this when I remembered three signs I saw on a trip to Lake Junaluska, North Carolina a few years back.   The first sign was on a painted plate where we (family) were staying. It read, “Be Kind or Leave.” Nothing confusing ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON   If you asked John Wesley’s advice in handling your money, one of the first things he would advise you would be to make a will. He told one friend, “Go make a will. Do it now, before you go to bed.  With no will your goods will be scattered.”   Do you have a will?   The Rev. Dave Hanson is a retired pastor and John Wesley scholar.  

By Shannon Baxter   John Jones went on his first mission experience this past summer. He loved it so much he wondered what it would be like to do this for longer than a week or two. He didn’t feel called to do this full-time but did feel like he could give a couple months to serving others. He started asking around, but no one knew how to go about doing that. He just knew there had to be a way.  If it did exist, it’s got to be the best kept secret out there! He was ready to graduate from a trip ...

By Hal Brady Whenever I do pre-marital counseling, I usually include the following: role expectation, a good theology of marriage, what the psychologists say about the experience, the importance of communication, the necessity of commitment, and how to deal with conflict or disagreements.  Unless one of the marriage partners is a non-thinking robot every marriage has disagreements. The only question is how we handle those disagreements. Whether it’s in marriage, business, sports, politics, ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN  ANNE PACKARD    As the South Georgia Conference begins 2023, Bishop Graves is focusing our energies to be prayerful people, and the Ministry of Memory will honor this mighty request for the New Year by showcasing how prayer has supported the Methodist movement for hundreds of years.    Prayer…what’s old is new again!   To begin a year of prayer, we must begin at the beginning and move forward in a methodical way if Susanna Wesley is to support our work. Therefore, we ...

By Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed   When God looks at us, I think He looks for a reflection of Himself in our character, choices, as well as our overall lifestyle. But what do we look for when we interact with people? Too often we focus on what's wrong with someone more than we spotlight what they do right. When a person is good, it means that he or she is morally excellent or a person of integrity, kind, friendly, refined, cheerful, and righteous.   This world we live in has a tendency to be very ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON   Samuel and Susanna Wesley named their fifth surviving child “Mehetabel” but everybody called her “Hetty.” She was born in 1697 and was six years older than John Wesley. She probably took care of him and changed his diapers.   If it was said that all the Wesley girls were beautiful, Hetty was gorgeous! Hetty was exceptional in every way. She was so smart that Samuel gave her special instructions in Latin, Greek, and the classics. Because she had such beautiful ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN  ANNE PACKARD  On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Brown versus Board of Education that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits the states from denying equal protection of the laws to any person within their jurisdictions. The decision declared that separate educational facilities for white and African American students were inherently unequal. This ruling overturned the...

How do you feel about books? Some people love them, others would rather watch the movie.  No matter how you feel about reading, the evidence is clear: reading stimulates your thinking, provides stress reduction, improves your memory, strengthens your problem-solving skills, improves focus and concentration along with so much more!    Here are some quotes from book-lovers throughout the years:  Once you learn to read, you will be forever free. – Frederick Douglass We read to know we are not ...

By Hal Brady    How do you spell success? How do I spell it? A retired business executive was once asked the secret of his success. He replied that it could be summed up in these words: “and then some.”     “I discovered at an early age,” he said, “that most of the difference between average people and top people could be explained in three words. The top people did what was expected of them – and then some. They were thoughtful of others – and then some. They met their obligations and ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON John Wesley would remind us that there are four purposes for preaching: to invite…to convince…to offer Christ…and to build up! These should be done in every sermon!  Some other suggestions: Never disappoint a congregation. By this he means “show up”! Begin and end on time!     Be sincere, weighty, and solemn! Suit your subject to your audience!   Do not ramble!    Choose as plain a text as you can!    Keep to your text!    Be sparing of ...

By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries Have you ever heard someone in church ask the question, “Where are our young adults?” Many are in the world quietly, if not apprehensively, serving. This generation of young adults is one that grew up doing things. They did not learn to wait their turn to rise up for their chance. They took it.  One of the ways young adults in The United Methodist Church are serving is through a program called Global Mission Fellows. Young ...

By Alison Evans   If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.  ~ 1 John 3:17-18 (NIV)    As I reflect on 15 decades of healing and hope at The Methodist Home for Children and Youth, I am amazed by the many, many instances where you have loved our children with actions and in truth.      Over the years, your giving ...

By Hal Brady   All of us have felt defeated and dejected. More than once we’ve spread our wings only to have them clipped and disaster happen. Welcome to the human race! Nobody succeeds every time.    Most of us are aware that the great baseball player Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs. But how many of us are aware that he struck out 1,330 times? And most of us are familiar with the success of the biblical character Joshua. He took over from Moses and led the children of Israel successfully into the ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN  ANNE PACKARD  As the South Georgia Conference prepares for the birth of the Messiah, may we remember the wonder and magic of that night, calm our minds and open our hearts in preparation for the miracle.   Luke 2:1-20:  The Birth of Jesus 2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to ...

By Creede Hinshaw   It’s the season in the United Methodist Church when many pastors preach a stewardship sermon. United Methodists have traditionally raised the upcoming year’s budget by seeking pledges in a fall campaign. At least one sermon usually comes into prominent play.   That sermon was delivered last Sunday at the church I attend; it was very well-crafted and biblically solid, leaving the listener personally challenged as to whether he/she is laying a foundation for generosity. The ...

By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries   While it did not directly affect us, Hurricane Ian did have an indirect effect on people in my church. Thankfully their loved ones in Ft. Myers are safe. We wondered what can we do to help those who lost everything? What did we do before? We gave – and can give - to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)!    Where do the funds go? Just a few examples: In 2006 Katrina caused extensive damage along the Gulf Coast. ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS By Dave Hanson   As a serious bridge player, I rejoiced to learn that John Wesley enjoyed playing cards while he was a student and teacher at Oxford University. Later he sought to guide Methodists into Christian holiness and urged them to follow courses which seemed to him like worthy self-denial. Wesley sought to make abstinence from all games a sign of righteousness, though he did except card-playing on the frankly affirmed reason that his mother played cards! It is ...

PATHWAY TO HIS PRESENCE B.J. FUNK   She never stood a chance.  Her dysfunctional home life claimed her soul at the crib, and by the time she was twelve, the lure of drugs added its own addictive claim. At fourteen, she entered a life of prostitution, following in the footsteps of her mother.     One weekend, doped and crazy, she and her boyfriend killed two people. Her weapon, a pickaxe, brought a conviction of murder. She was sentenced in l984 and put to death fourteen years later. She gained ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN  ANNE PACKARD    The following excerpts were written by Rev. Geo. G.N. MacDowell for the Wesleyan Christian Advocate dated September 3, 1881. Rev. MacDowell chronicled his journey while working with Rev. W.D. McGregor in the newly created Cobbtown Mission, which was formed in Emanuel, Tattnall, and Bulloch counties by the South Georgia Conference in 1879. This ministerial work reminds me that we are a people of true faith who went gratefully into the wilderness with ...

By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries   The United Methodist Church continues to reach around the world. While we do not have any official churches in Japan, there is a presence. The Rev. Claudia Genung-Yamamoto is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church (GBGM) and serves as the lead pastor of Kobe Union Church in Kobe, Japan. Rev. Claudia has been a missionary for 27 years. She became a GBGM missionary associate in...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON   The Methodist Rule of Life   “Do you know our rule?  Will You keep it?” The Methodist Rule as defined in our Discipline is: “1- Do no harm… 2- Do good… 3- Observe our Ordinances (Worship, Bible Study, Prayer, Fasting, and Holy Communion.” Every Methodist pastor at their ordination answered this question. Every Methodist should also answer this question.   John Wesley believed this rule was the very foundation of the world’s religion. He encouraged us all to ...

By Hal Brady   A well-known minister in one of our largest United Methodist Churches said that when he was in seminary over 15 or so years ago the watchword was “Change the world.”    “Today,” he said, “the question is ‘What do we do when the world changes?’”    Yes, time does change things, sometimes dramatically. Professions change, styles change, expectations change, communication systems change, how we relate to people changes, education changes, and on and on it goes.   But some things have...

By Hal Brady   If anybody had a case not to be kind, it was the biblical character, Joseph. His brothers treated him like dirt and sold him into slavery. This action by his brothers resulted in practically everything going wrong in his life for the next 30 years. What happened next? He was falsely accused of commuting adultery and thrown in prison. But, later, as you recall, Joseph’s fortune reversed, and he became second in command over all of Egypt. Then came the day that Joseph’s father, ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN  ANNE PACKARD    In other parts of this wonderful country, the approaching season is called autumn. In South Georgia, the approaching season is called football, and in many of our coastal communities the approaching yearly cycle is known as hurricane season. Whatever else it may be called, it heralds the beginning of school, and in the Methodist movement the beginning of Sunday School. What’s old is new again.   According to the Sunday School Board’s report in the 1908 ...

By Dr. Hal Brady   Perhaps the single most famous speech given by a baseball player was given by New York Yankee first baseman, Lou Gehrig. Gehrig is remembered for playing in 2,130 consecutive games in 14 seasons with the New York Yankees. He compiled a lifetime batting average of .340 and batted in 150 runs or more in seven different seasons. In addition, he contracted a horrible disease – ALS – that forced his retirement in 1939 and shortly thereafter took his life. On this occasion, ...

By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries   There have been Methodist missionaries in North America sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ before there was even a United States. After John Wesley returned to England, he sent numerous young adults to ride across the colonies to share the Gospel. It was not a role for the faint of heart. Until 1847, almost half of the young men died before the age of 30. Thank God for their willingness to share the message in spite of ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON   John Wesley Mellows   John Wesley was once criticized because he thought he was always right.  His reply was, “Of course I believe that I am right. If I didn’t think I was right I would change my opinion.” Many thought he was stubborn and autocratic.   Later in life he began to mellow. In 1765, at the age of 62, he wrote, “When I was young I was sure of everything. In a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half as sure of most things as I ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN  ANNE PACKARD  The historical societies of the Southeastern Jurisdiction and The United Methodist Church met at the Moore Methodist Museum this summer to trace the footsteps of John and Charles Wesley while they ministered to the colonists in Georgia. Highlights of the week’s events included a stop at Peeper’s Island, a walking tour of historical Savannah, and time on the grounds of Christ Episcopal Church and Fort Frederica. While walking in these sacred places, the ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON “Nobody is perfect.” We have heard it all our lives and often said it ourselves to justify some mistake we have made. The Bible even affirms it when it says, “There is none righteous. No, not one, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” It also cautions us by saying, “He who says he is without sin is liar and the truth is not in them.” However, we are also urged to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect. John Wesley believed and taught ...

By Anne Bosarge, Director of Leadership Strategies and Local Church Resources I love icebreaker questions. They are such a great way to begin to get to know people you’ve never met or to get a feel for where people are when you’re leading a group. One of my favorite icebreakers is this simple question, “Would you like to undo, redo, or reset something in your life right now?” Here’s how I define those terms: Undo: One thing you would like to completely erase Redo: One thing you wish you could ...

By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries Many of us remember Rev H. Eddie Fox. He served for 25 years as the executive director of the World Methodist Evangelism. He came from Sevierville, Tenn. near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. He told the world he was from Appalachia and never saw an ocean until the age of 21. Eddie traveled the world, sharing the Gospel wherever he went. One of the places was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in a country many of us did not ...

By Dr. Hal Brady Since my wife and I have recently tested positive for covid, I have been thinking more about health and healing than normal. I am pleased to report that both of us are steadily improving. However, my hat is off to the multitudes of others who have suffered or are suffering the same or similar plight. My best to all of you. At any rate, I am reminded of an incident in scripture where a man suffered with an infirmity for 38 long years. One day Jesus comes to him and asked a very...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN ANNE PACKARD Only a few days after arriving in Savannah in 1736, John Wesley met Sophia Christiana Hopkey, the 18-year-old niece of Mrs. Thomas Causton. Wesley, being determined “to have no intimacy with any woman in America,” understood the temptation Sophia presented and worked diligently to only meet with her in public spaces or when other people were present. However, in early summer, he arranged to tutor Sophia and another young woman in the parsonage after early ...

By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries Did you know there were Methodists behind the Iron Curtain? In what was once the Russian Empire under Czar Nicholas II, the church was quietly formed by Swedish immigrants. It was allowed to become a church in 1905 when the czar signed the Edict of Toleration that made it okay for churches other than the Russian Orthodox Church to operate in Russia. From 1905 to 1917, the Methodists built churches, clinics, schools and ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON John Wesley disaffiliates John Wesley was a part of the Fetter Lane Society in London. The group was made up of Peter Bohler and about 40 Moravian Christians. It was as a part of this group that John went to a prayer meeting on Aldersgate Street and had his “heart-warming” experience. The group was very important to him. However, the society became involved in a movement called “Quietism” which taught that we should wait quietly for the Lord to move in our ...

GROWING IN GRACE BEN GOSDEN The great separation has now begun. 2020 was supposed to be the pivotal year we finally settled the division over inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in the life of our denomination. After almost 50 years of fighting, we were finally set to end the division and go our separate ways to serve the Lord as we felt God called us. And then a global pandemic caused General Conference to be postponed for four full years, making it five full years between gatherings. Nonetheless, ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN ANNE PACKARD But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year again. There is no snow. Instead, it is 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity and a 20 percent chance of afternoon showers. There are no gifts to buy or presents to wrap. Instead, we are loading up on boxes of ...

PATHWAY TO HIS PRESENCE B.J. FUNK My car broke down and I needed a loaner while it was being repaired. You’ve gotten a loaner before, right? How much gas did it have in it? I thought so. Almost on empty. Mine too. I think they learn that in car school. So, I went to the gas station right away and moved the line way above empty. After a few days, I learned that my car was in worse shape than I thought. I needed a new engine. That would take a while. Meanwhile, I had places to go. A sign ...

By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries There are many worthy projects for mission in our world. We cannot do them all. The best way to decide which project to undertake or fund is to listen to the calling of God. God will reveal to us which mission works best for us. My wonderful role is to highlight the many projects we have in the world. Thus far I have talked of Afghanistan; Korea; Hawaii; Africa; North Katanga; Yemen; Washington, D.C.; North Carolina; ...

By Anne Bosarge, Director of Leadership Strategies and Local Church Resources Have you ever looked at someone’s life and been confused about why they keep making the same mistakes over and over again? Or maybe, if you’re like me, you realize that person is you! Why do we get stuck in a cycle of doing the same failing things over and over again? Why do we keep repeating our missteps and failures? One of the main reasons is we aren’t taking the time to reflect on our experiences. See if you can ...

By Dr. Hal Brady There’s a story of a student at Iowa State University who took to selling magazine subscriptions for additional income. He decided that a likely customer might be the president of the university. The student was greeted at the door by the president’s wife who was able to resist his sales pitch by saying that her husband already received more magazines than he could read. Before turning to leave, the student assured her that he understood. It was then that the president’s wife ...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN ANNE PACKARD The Methodist Church has laid upon my shoulders many responsibilities, but it has also given to me a great many honors. Perhaps no man ever stood seeking admission at the bar of an Annual Conference with so little to offer as credentials of his worthiness for the work of the Ministry. But in great kindness, the South Georgia Conference received me “on trial” in 1909. From that humble circuit to which I was sent in that year, I have traveled a worldwide ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON John Wesley came to Georgia in 1736 with one over-arching goal in mind. He wanted to establish a religious community like the early church. He wanted some “Old Time Religion.” He thought the ideal place for this experiment in Old Time Religion would be the frontier of Georgia. To that end, Wesley announced on his first Sunday in Savannah that while he was the pastor things would be done the “Old Fashioned Way!” This included the way babies were to be baptized – ...

By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries We often think of missions as something done overseas or in a distant part of our country. There are multiple missions that happen in places we think would be immune to the effects of poverty. If we lived in Washington, D.C., the seat of our government, we would find Christ House Medical Services Advance #381215. They provide comprehensive and compassionate care for people with acute medical needs who are experiencing ...

PATHWAY TO HIS PRESENCE B.J. FUNK I was around nine when one of our neighbors physically abused me. A couple of years older than me, she had already become a “bully.” I felt safe, however, when my sister was around. My older sister, my only sibling, always looked out for me. I had never been more grateful for her protective nature than when this neighbor tied me to a chair and left me inside her humid playhouse. I could not escape. Not only did she tie me in the chair, but she turned the chair...

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN ANNE PACKARD “We had another terrific day over that awful, overheated, windswept land of desolation. Through vast stretches, there are no landmarks by which the pilot can determine his course. He must depend absolutely on his compass. You fly for hours with nothing but sand beneath dust storms which sweep up and hide the sun.” “The Bishop Is In A Hurry!” published by Robert E. Daniel I have received an advanced copy of a new book compiled and edited by Robert E. Daniel ...