Ash Wednesday - Am I Ready?

Ash Wednesday – Am I Ready?

Saturday night I was in the sanctuary praying, not an odd thing for a preacher. At my amen, one last look and “are we ready for tomorrow?” Everything seemed ready and as always, I took a glance at the announcements, then a brief moment of panic; Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, “do we have the Ashes?”

Up to the altar I went, and right where they are supposed to be were the ashes from the palms we burned in 2018 and 19 sitting beside our bottle of oil. Physically, we are ready, no worries there.

This morning as I completed my YouVersion Bible Study (Song of Solomon and Ephesians 6) that same question rolled over my soul; are we ready?

Obviously, we do not completely know exactly what we need to be ready for. Anything can happen today in our lives and the lives of our beloved and because we cannot control circumstances, our readiness must be at a spiritual level. Are we in the Lord deep enough to be ready for what comes?

My involvement with the organizations that preceded it and now the Wesleyan Covenant Association have certainly helped me prepare for what might come in the United Methodist Church. As we all stand on the edge of Ash Wednesday here are three things I am ready for, and I invite you to share what God is preparing you for in the “midst” of our denominational scenario. It may inspire our Lenten conversations.

1. I am ready for something new to emerge or nothing to happen at General Conference. This is not going to be a UM political piece, but, I have attended a few General Conferences and we are a big tent bunch that represents four continents and a plethora of traditions, etc. We also know love of “same” is typical of large and small organizations. Our organization is pushing “protocols” and as you read the legislation, consider the delegations, it seems important to prepare your congregation for both. There are great resources at www.iowawca.org to help you be faithful to the task. Great change or “same” shall not influence my call, nor will it destroy or instantly catapult a church to greatness. I am ready.

2. I am ready to claim the opportunity that God is giving us for ministry rather than wallow in blaming the failing “denomination.” One of the reasons I support “protocols” is that it frees us to a new day free of a bulky bureaucracy, boards and agencies and episcopal leaders that weekly cause collateral damage in our ministry as we seek to interpret what seem to be actions counter to the gospel message to brokenhearted members and friends. But, in reality, my DNA has already done that and so have many of you in your daily ministry. Here is my proof:

3. There are many inspiring leaders and congregations in Iowa who in full view of the denominational crisis are faithfully and fearlessly doing amazing, forward looking Christ-centered ministry. A little evidence to support my claim. One of our churches just two Sundays ago welcomed 17 new members. Another baptized 7 people, most of whom walked to their own baptism. One church realizing its need to turn around some stuff sent investigative teams of members out to other congregations for inspiration and ideas, completely on their own, no denominational expert needed. Summer Games University leaders reported that so far 7 new to summer games churches are planning to send kids this year. (Info at www.sgu.camp) Sunday, 5 high schoolers testified in a church to the saving nature of Jesus and invited adults to receive it too. Many congregations have faithfully negotiated loving, thoughtful conversations regarding the theological conflict UMC is embroiled in and proclaimed a faithful way forward.

One of the beauties of the Christian year is the rhythm of opportunity it provides. Ash Wednesday and Lent give opportunity for a spiritual reboot or supercharge. Tomorrow as you impart or receive the ashes of repentance and oil of forgiveness, I admonish you to take some moments – even if you are the preacher – and kneel physically/spiritually before God. Take the time friends, ask God for the spirit, wisdom, strength, love of readiness. His readiness is all we shall need – God is not stingy – He can make us ready for whatever.

Tomorrow, as I mix the ashes with the oil, my simple prayer will really be; God, I think I am ready – make me ready, please.

You are beloved.

Rev. Mike Morgan

Pastor, Marion First UMC

Co-Chair, Iowa chapter of the WCA

A GREAT Day is Coming!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 

A GREAT couple of days are coming soon!

We are SO EXCITED about the 3rd annual “School for Practical Ministry”, Friday & Saturday, April 17-18, 2020, at Altoona United Methodist Church! Those who have attended in the past have universally declared it to be the BEST training event in Iowa they attend all year long, and one that gives them the most PRACTICAL ideas and inspiration to take back to their local churches and incorporate into their personal ministries!

TRULY it is two days full of wonderful teaching, Holy Spirit-led worship, and loving fellowship - and all centrally located in a community and facility that is easily accessible from any place in Iowa! And by moving from a Thursday/Friday schedule to a Friday/Saturday schedule, it has become even MORE accessible to the laity in our churches!

Our brochure with the full schedule, including information about the workshops and teachers, is available for download HERE.

We are MOST excited to welcome our Keynote Speaker, Rev. Dr. Carolyn Moore! Her keynote address is titled, "Spiritual Leadership and Your Identity Inside His 'I Am',”and her teaching includes five sessions that are designed with hope in mind. In her own words, "Through them, we will steep in the absolute necessity of knowing who we are in Christ; the call to supernatural ministry (beyond good social work); what it means to walk in Spirit-given power and authority; the importance of reclaiming Paul's core offices in structuring the church (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and Teacher); and the sustaining work of personal holiness rooted in the spiritual disciplines. Our goal will be to remember and rekindle our influence as those sent by God to welcome and advance the Kingdom of God on earth."

Carolyn is also the Vice Chairperson of the global Wesleyan Covenant Association leadership council, and she recently wrote a blog post giving five reasons to join the WCA. We encourage you to read it HERE.

Need another reason to join the WCA? Here’s one closer to home (feel free to share it with YOUR church and others!)


In Christ’s love,

The Communications team of the Iowa WCA

The Countdown Continues

Beloved in Christ - 

As of today, there are only 76 days remaining until the beginning of the 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. Delegates from around the world will be gathering to make decisions about the future of The UMC. There have been multiple plans submitted for amicable separation, as a growing number of Methodists (of all theological convictions) have arrived at the consensus that our decades-long conflict in the church MUST come to an end. 

Jesus commands us to “GO, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…,” not get stuck in endless debates - and CERTAINLY not to turn our churches into whatever is fashionable and “politically correct” in a postmodern culture to remain “relevant”. So today, we are again asking that you keep ALL the delegates to General Conference, and especially our Iowa delegation, in fervent prayer - that the conflict would come to an end, that God’s will would be done, and that faithful UM believers in Biblical truth be freed from the cultural bondage that has crippled the church, all to bring revival in our churches, in our nation, and in our world! 

After the General Conference concludes its business, our attention turns to the Iowa Annual Conference session, to be held in Des Moines June 5 - 7. The legislation proposed in many of the separation plans (including the Protocol for Grace and Reconciliation through Separation), provides that a plan approved at General Conference will then be considered and voted on by each Annual Conference. We, therefore, STRENUOUSLY remind you of the following:

• It is VITALLY important that each of our churches/charges send their allotted number of Lay Representatives to Annual Conference, so that they will be present to vote on any matter brought. We can’t stress this enough - every Traditionalist church that does NOT send a Lay Rep to vote FOR Biblical truth effectively gives another vote AGAINST Biblical truth!

• LICENSED LOCAL PASTORS ARE ELIGIBLE to vote on everything we are likely to be voting on. Repeat - LICENSED LOCAL PASTORS ARE ELIGIBLE to vote on everything we are likely to be voting on! This has been an area of confusion at times, and we want to state the truth in no uncertain terms!

• We urge all RETIRED Traditionalist clergy to attend Annual Conference in order to vote, as well. We are most appreciative of your service to the Body of Christ over the years, but we humbly ask you to continue your service to Christ by being present at Annual Conference, and sharing your witness to the Truth by voting.  

So, after all is said and done, one question remains - IS YOUR CHURCH READY TO MAKE A DECISION? The Iowa WCA stands ready to assist. We have developed a new website, with resources to inform and enable the conversation in your church. We will be adding new resources on an ongoing basis, so check back often! 

One of the questions that some in our churches are asking is “why the Wesleyan Covenant Association?” We have created some GREAT resources to answer that question, which you can check out on our website - but we want to share ONE reason with you today:

MUCH MORE to come soon, including updated information about the School for Practical Ministry, and more resources for the conversation in YOUR CHURCH! Please continue to pray for the United Methodist Church, and the Wesleyan Covenant Association. 

In Christ’s love,

The Communications team of the Iowa WCA

School for Practical Ministry Registration

Friday, April 17 - Saturday, April 18

Altoona United Methodist Church

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Registration Fee just $80.00

(Note: Continuing Ed approval is pending, but previous years have been approved for 

1.0 Clergy CEU and for Lay Speaker/Servant certification)

JOIN US for the BEST continuing education event in Iowa! 

Keynote Speaker Rev. Dr. Carolyn Moore

“True Spiritual Leadership”

Bishop Laurie Haller: “The Dark Night of the Soul: Lessons in Self-Care”

Rev. Tom Shinkle: - “Revitalizing the Local Church”

Rev. Phil Rogers - “Effective Circuit Ministry”

Rev. Steve McElroy - “The Importance of Hospitality Ministry”

NEW THIS YEAR

 Ten Minute Presentations on EFFECTIVE MINISTRIES in local churches!

GREAT Teaching!     AWESOME Worship!     WONDERFUL Fellowship!

Protocol Legislation

The protocol has been given legislative form, and it can be found here.

https://www.gracethroughseparation.com/legislation

Website Launch!

Iowa WCA Website Launch