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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    Spotlight on the Bishop’s Retreat 2018 Keynote Speaker, Dr. Clif Christopher

    September 11, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    “Living, Leading, and Equipping for Biblical Stewardship” is the theme of this year’s Bishop’s Retreat to be held October 23-25 at the Genesee Grande Hotel in Syracuse, Ny

    The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Clif Christopher, founder of Horizons Stewardship Company, is the perfect speaker on the topic of stewardship. Since founding Horizons, he and his strategists have led consultations in over 2,000 churches, conferences, synods, and diocese in all phases of building, finance, and church growth. In 1995, he was given the National Circuit Rider Award by the United Methodist Church for outstanding leadership in developing vital congregations.

    Dr. Christopher will be giving four inspiring talks, each one building on the previous, giving you a plan to follow to lead your congregation members to all become disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

    Dr. Christopher’s introductory talk on October 23 is entitled “God vs. Money…Money is Winning.” His talk the following morning is entitled “How can we Win?” In the second evening, Dr. Christopher will reveal how to create a battle plan for the year, and his final talk on the morning of Oct. 25 is entitled, “The Big Guns of the Battle-Capital Campaigns.”

    One thing that Dr. Christopher emphasizes is that stewardship is not just about the money. He said, “We must quit thinking and acting like stewardship is just all about money. It is all about the abundant life and being a true disciple of Jesus Christ. The greatest threat to our knowing this life and becoming a true disciple is the allure of ‘stuff’ All around us are those promising that more stuff will open the doors to joy and peace and fulfillment. The only alternative voice is the church. We must have a battle plan and execute it every day if we have any hope of winning. Right now, we are way behind.”

    Dr. Christopher feels that the theme that Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Web chose for this year’s Bishop Retreat is imperative for clergy to embrace. He said, “Pastors need to show by example of word and deed that stewardship is a core value of theirs. They must be convincing that stewardship is vital for the health of their soul - not just a means to pay a budget. They must regularly preach about it and testify to their own practice of stewardship in very specific terms.”

    The deadline to Register for this year’s Bishop’s Retreat is September 28. Click here to see the entire itinerary and to register for what’s sure to be a fun and inspiring retreat for Upper New York clergy and their spouses!


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."