Category: Ministry

The art of Christmas greeting

  Signs, children’s decorations, and spontaneity. We’ve taken the best ideas from research and experiences to create a welcoming check list this Christmas season.

Young artists share their faith

Every week the children of Ellendale UMC in Memphis, TN use their talents to produce bulletin covers that enhance worship.

The repurposing of empty churches

The Atlantic reports on how churches are finding new uses for buildings they can no longer afford to keep up.

Sending signals of unwelcome

What are the fourteen obstacles that can make some people bypass your church or not return after their first visit? Eric Seiberling provides a checklist.

Hymnal Committee seeks your material

The Hymnal Revision Committee is asking creative people to submit new materials for possible inclusion in the next UM Hymnal.

Celebrating Advent with your kids

Can’t face making another gingerbread house?? UMCOM offers ways for families to keep Jesus the focus of the Advent season this year.

More hymns for Advent season

Advent starts December 2nd. If you want to preserve the integrity of the season in song, here are five Advent hymns set to more familiar Christmas tunes.

Michigan educators at ‘Curious Church’

Thirteen educators from The Michigan Conference were on hand to help Christians Engaged in Faith Formation celebrate their 50th anniversary at the Curious Church Conference held in Des Moines, Iowa.

Power in the pew

Michigan Conference Lay Leader Anne Soles, uses concepts from ‘This Old House’ to talk about the remodel necessary to move to a Single Board Governance model for more administrative power.

Never too late to thank your pastor

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. There are still a few days left to thank your pastor and share your support  for his or her leadership.