CLT Prayer Initiative: Introduction
February 3, 2020 / By / 1 Comment
Pray, Pray now, Pray for the Others. Love one another. The command echoes through Scripture and awakens us to life. Jesus intended for the world to verify the truth of his message by observing us in our love for one another and all God sends into our lives. (John 13:35, 17:22-23) This series of prayers began as a way to prepare us for General Conference. Because praying is an expression of …more
Meet the DLTs: Testimonials from Albany District Lay Leadership Development Team
January 21, 2020 / By Albany District Lay Leadership Development Team members
Editor’s Note: The Albany District Leadership Team has made a conscious effort to increase the leadership skills of their laity through developing a laity leadership curriculum. Below are testimonials of some of the participants. “The United Methodist Church is facing difficult challenges of an uncertain future. The vitality of the local church is imperative to sustain the impact of a possible separation. This lay leadership development …more
Meet the DLTs: Albany DLT acts to create more lay leaders
January 14, 2020 / By District Superintendent Rev. Rich Weihing and Albany District Lay Leader Ellen Mall-John
As a DLT, we decided to focus a majority of our time and energy on creating a series of gatherings we call Laity Leadership Development (LLD). In 2018, as clergy received training in principles of Vital Congregations, we launched Year 1 of Laity Leadership Development Sessions equipping laity with leadership training with the expectation of helping move toward a critical mass in each congregation that would be able and willing to enact …more
Meet the DLTs: Albany District
January 8, 2020 / By District Superintendent Rev. Rich Weihing and Albany District Lay Leader Ellen Mall-John
Our purpose as a District Leadership Team is to equip the congregations of Albany District to live their mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” We are rooted in this mission statement, and our vision statement, too! When we have fully-equipped clergy, laity, and congregations in Albany District for their mission, we expect to experience the vision of Upper NY Conference: …more
Meet the Spiritual Director: Cheryl Lyon
December 17, 2019 / By Cheryl Lyon
The Way It Is There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see….1 -William Stafford Over the last 12 years, the thread I follow has taken me on twists and turns I could never have anticipated and …more
Meet the DLTs: Cory Jones
December 16, 2019 / By Cory Jones
My name is Cory Jones and I am the pastor of Trinity UMC: Whitesboro. My role on the DLT has evolved over the years. The DLT was my first introduction into the work of the District/ Conference back in 2014. At that time, I was a Youth Group Leader at my home church Herkimer FUMC, and I was discerning my call to ministry. I joined the DLT as a laity before …more
Meet the DLTs: Pastor Brian Lothridge
December 11, 2019 / By Brian Lothridge
I am Brian Lothridge, pastor of Rome 1st and Delta UMCs. I am a provisional elder and serve on the Mohawk District Leadership Team. The Church exists to serve the people who are not yet a part of it. This is a new way for me to think about why the Church matters. I wish I could take credit for it, but it’s a …more
Meet the DLTs: Pastor Bryant Clark
December 9, 2019 / By Pastor Bryant Clark / 2 Comments
My name s Bryant Clark; I am the pastor at Park UMC in Hamilton. Much like my work in the local church, my priority on the Mohawk district leadership team is one of empowerment. I believe very strongly in the idea that all Christians are capable and few of us are fragile. All Christians have something to offer the wider church, not to mention the world beyond it. But too …more
Meet the DLTS: Mohawk District
December 3, 2019 / By Wayne Clemens
Greetings in the name of Christ from the Mohawk District Leadership Team! My name is Wayne Clemens and I am blessed to be the Senior Pastor at CenterPoint Church in Barneveld NY, as well as the coach/facilitator for the Mohawk District Leadership Team. This past year has been incredibly productive and spiritually renewing for us as a team as we have continued to focus on increasing leadership capacity among …more
Meet the DLTs: Erinn Norris
November 25, 2019 / By Erinn Norris
Hi! I’m Erinn Norris, a member of the Adams United Methodist Church and part of Northern Flow’s District Leadership Team. Over the last few years, I have also been part of our Conference Leadership Team, Kairos Outside Prison Ministry, Via de Cristo, Closer Walk, and active in leadership in my own church. Recently, our DLT wrapped up our first round of Intentional Discipleship Making workshops …more