Bishops David Roller, Matthew Thomas and David Kendall share coffee and conversation on the Jan. 5 Vision Cast. (Photo by Andy Owen)
Free Methodist bishops discussed three of their Uniquely Free Methodist strategies — Cultivate Health, Go Global and Honor Fruitfulness — during their latest Vision Cast, which debuted Jan. 5 at fmcusa.org/live.
Cultivate Health
Bishop David Kendall noted that Scripture compares the church to a human body, and a body needs health.
“Churches are intended to be healthy and whole,” Kendall said.
“The healthiest churches that I see are where everybody is cheering for everybody else,” Bishop Matthew Thomas said.
Bishop David Roller said a critical factor to church health is “seeing the world the way God sees it.”
Go Global
Roller mentioned two Old Testament books that reveal the importance of “glocal” (global/local) ministry: Jonah and Ruth.
“Jonah’s the quintessential missionary tale,” said Roller, who added that in Ruth, “a foreigner comes to Israel and is incorporated into God’s redemption story.”
Thomas said some churches “are realizing that their ministry is not only to their local community but also to the globe, and they do get the idea that we’re not paternalistically going and doing everything for everyone, but we’re coming alongside.”
Honor Fruitfulness
Thomas said the importance of fruitfulness dates back to Creation when God said, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:22, 28 NKJV). The theme continues throughout the Old Testament and into the New Testament.
“Jesus talks a lot about rewarding and honoring fruitfulness, and we want to do that,” Thomas said.
The bishops said that Free Methodists provide help for struggling churches, but we also need to invest in churches bearing fruit.
Panel Discussion
The next Vision Cast is scheduled to be released April 6. Pastor Keith Cowart, lead pastor of Christ Community Church in Columbus, Ga.; David Flowers, pastor of Wildwind Community Church in Flint, Mich.; and Eric Spangler, lead pastor of LifePoint Church in Everett and Lake Stevens, Wash., will share their thoughts on the strategies featured in the Jan. 5 Vision Cast.
NEWS BRIEFS:
CHURCH PLANT CONTINUES GROWTH
Bozrah, Conn.
Revelation Church recently exceeded 400 people in attendance. The church was planted by Pastor Matt Grohocki who moved with his wife, Heidi, and their children from Zephyrhills, Fla., to the Norwich, Conn., area to plant the church. The church has grown steadily since it was planted. Go to myrevelationchurch.com for more information.
UNIVERSITY HONORS MCKENNAS
Hyderabad, India
Immanuel University in Hyderabad, India, has announced the new School of Education and Center for Christian Leadership will be named for David and Janet McKenna. The aim of the McKenna School of Education is to train poor young people to be educators and leaders. Go to fmchr.ch/mckennas for more information about the McKenna School of Education.
PORTERFIELD TO BE PRESIDENT
North Chili, N.Y.
Deana Porterfield will be the 11th president of Roberts Wesleyan College and the third president of Northeastern Seminary, officials announced Dec. 9. “As a member of the Presidential Search Committee, I was extremely pleased to participate in the selection of Dr. Porterfield,” Bishop David Roller said. Go to fmchr.ch/rwcporterfield for more information.
CHURCH HOSTS TRAIN DISPLAY
St. Charles, Ill.
St. Charles FMC recently opened its doors to children and adults for a free display featuring five electric trains and 30 porcelain buildings. Boy Scout Troop 60 assisted with the display’s scenery. The five trains included three Lionel trains manufactured before World War II. Go to fmchr.ch/stcharlestrains to watch video of the display.
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