The Latest

Online Church Engagement Summit

posted on March 07

Register for this free 90-minute value-packed event to learn practical strategies for engaging your online audience from viewers to engagers with Carey Nieuwhof, Levi Lusko, Nona Jones and Bobby Gruenewald. This offering is available online and on-demand (once you register, you can elect to watch it...

Register Now for [Re]Mission: A Church for the Future (Fresh Expressions)

posted on March 07

Jesus gives us his peace, and then sends us out on mission. The last two years have been full of more tumult, upheaval, change, and pain than in any period in decades. The ground has shifted under our feet and by the grace of God we're learning how to adapt. We've pivoted and pivoted again. Church ...

IGC 2022 Grant Applications Now Open

posted on November 02

The Intentional Growth Center is pleased to announce that on November 1 it will begin accepting applications for a new round of grants.  These grants are available to local congregations and church organizations. It will focus on ministries that increase Christian Discipleship and Church...

Both/And Hybrid Worship Resources

posted on October 29

Hosted by the Faith Community Formation Office of the Mississippi Annual Conference, the Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experience for Online and In-Person Audiences training and follow-up with Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions was informative, engaging and powerful. Jason Moore, known ...

5 Ways Leaders Can Respond When People Don't Come Back

posted on October 22

Church leaders may be eager to return to life as normal, but the pandemic has changed us. Even the most energetic churches are seeing only a fraction of their attendees return.  

Apprenticeship, Coaching and Mentoring

posted on October 22

In the Mississippi Conference, we have worked to incorporate a culture of coaching and mentoring with our clergy and laity. Although this may seem like a new and novel idea, actually, they are both simply a part of the process of Apprenticeship which is one of the Conference Core Values (Love, ...

Trinity Mission Baptizes Eleven

posted on September 15

Trinity Mission of The United Methodist Church gathered at Roosevelt State Park to baptize eleven persons into the family of God. Lay Director, Regina Campbell invited Rev. Sheila Cumbest to teach on baptism for the past several weeks with those preparing. All had made professions of faith and have ...

Virtual Communications Conference Helps Churches Move Forward

posted on August 09

Nashville, Tennessee – Balancing online, in-person services and hybrid models poses challenges to church leaders. United Methodist Communications’ Training Team will host its second in a series of ecumenical virtual communications learning conferences to equip churches and ministries with next level...

Online Worship Resources' Permissions Extended

posted on July 19

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Publishing House is extending full permission to all churches for use of its copyrighted worship materials through Dec. 31.

The Future Church Convocation: Energizing Mission Through the Lens of the Black Church

posted on July 15

The Pandemic has shifted many things in our society, including The Church. But, God’s Church has never and will never close!  Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against it and neither will a pandemic. That's why we're taking a moment to celebrate the Universal Church in general...

Churches Urged to Relaunch, Not Just Reopen

posted on July 09

DENTON, Texas (UM News) — Church leadership experts are urging pastors and churches not to miss an opportunity for change as COVID 19-restrictions lift. Pastors themselves say it's important to continue the innovation and experimentation that marked church life in the pandemic. Sam Hodges offers the...

FCF Report to 2021 Session of Annual Conference

posted on July 01

Outgoing FCF Chair, Dr. Steve Shirley and incoming Chair, Rev. Trey Skaggs shares the story of accomplishments and a vision for the future of making our church better.

Online Discipleship Booklet

posted on June 29

As many churches begin to shift adding an online presence, it is important that we not neglect vital elements of our discipleship system. You may have added online worship, but what is missing? Using the Online Discipleship Booklet (provided by Discipleship Ministries) church leaders are challenged ...

Tupelo Woman Growing a New Type of Church

posted on June 29

By David Pannell, Daily Journal, June 18, 2021 TUPELO • Mary Strickland of Tupelo is planting a church, but it’s not going to look like most churches. To some, it might not be recognizable as a church at all. The 26-year-old is on the forefront of a new model of church planting called “Fresh ...

3 Things That Will Be True About Growing Churches in the Future

posted on June 14

Carey Nieuwhof outlines three major trends that will mark growing churches in the future.

Dinner Church: A Step by Step Example

posted on June 14

This community went from unsure -- to a vibrant, diverse community of people learning about Jesus and eating together. 

5 Things That Will Sabotage Your Church's Future Growth

posted on June 02

11 Traits of Churches That Will Impact the Future

posted on May 21

Carey Nieuwhof, posts his article, that he originally wrote eight years ago, to help churches prepare to thrive in the future.   What's changed in those eight years? Nothing. The world has changed, but the traits you need to thrive organizationally haven't changed at all. What was true eight years ...

Developing a Discipleship Roadmap for Your Church

posted on March 15

Does your church have an Intentional Discipleship Plan (strategic roadmap)? Having an Intentional Discipleship Plan that is executed well, that church members are invested in, and that works to deliver qualitative and quantitative results – is critical for your church’s vitality and growth.   The ...

Mobile Manna: Food That Feeds the Soul

posted on March 15

Randy Davis, a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Tupelo, MS, had a ministry placed on his heart. Through much prayer, preparation, and a matching mission grant from the Mississippi Annual Conference, he and his church were able to begin that ministry, Mobile Manna! By partnering with local...

Leading in the New Digital Church

posted on March 14

In the article 8 Ways to Lead in the New Digital Default Church, Carey Nieuwhof shares tips on leading in a today’s digital age. He states, “with reduced in-person seating, social distancing, and substantial evidence that not everyone wants to come back to in-person services, digital church appears ...

Becoming a Network: How an Established Church is Reaching New People

posted on March 13

How does a normal church with one primary expression develop multiple expressions and engage new people?   In this FREE eBook, you'll read about what God is doing at First Church in Williamsport, PA. First Church is a normal church in a normal Pennsylvania town doing something innovative and adapted...

Digital Evangelism Tips for Churches

posted on March 13

Whether you are a communication leader, pastor, or someone who wants to start or improve your personal online ministry, it is important to create a strategy to build relationships and increase engagement. And to help do that, it is useful to have a bank of ideas and tips in your toolbox.   In the ...

Five Ways to Revitalize Amid a Pandemic

posted on March 12

With increased vaccine distribution, people are looking toward the possibility of life returning to pre-pandemic normal again. But why settle for normal when something even greater is possible. The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter offers five ideas for revitalizing churches. Read more here >>>

Simple Ways to Move From Online Audiences to Online Community

posted on October 22

We are six months into the greatest shift in how the church gathers in our lifetimes and churches of all sizes have adapted their worship services to the realities of the pandemic. Unfortunately, most churches have built online audiences but very few have built online communities. With winter ...

Enroll Today! Reading the Signs of the Times: The Secret to Mission on the Frontlines

posted on September 30

When change happens, some leaders seem to quickly get their bearings and others remain lost. The difference is Contextual Intelligence – the ability to notice and navigate new or changing environments. This academy will teach you how to recognize the signs of the times and shift your ministry ...

Building and Maintaining a Relationship with Virtual Worshipers Through Email

posted on September 29

Email has jumped in popularity during COVID-19. It's highly effective in nurturing your virtual and in-person community. Follow these easy steps outlined to answer today's virtual needs and tomorrow's goal to bring people back to in-person worship.

Four Questions to Make Your Worship More Millennial-Friendly

posted on September 29

The millennial generation is conspicuously absent from churches across the United States. However, there are some simple steps churches can take to be more inviting to young to early middle-aged adults.

Free Learning Sessions for Churches

posted on September 29

As the COVID-19 pandemic continued and more churches shifted to or increased their digital ministry, United Methodist Communications began developing a series of Local Church Learning Sessions. All have been developed specifically to support local United Methodist churches during this extraordinary ...

Top 10 Free Services UM Communications Offers Churches

posted on September 25

The menu of church communication services and tools available from United Methodist Communications (UMCom) is similarly extensive. While some church leaders may never need some of our resources, each is created to cater especially to you — a leader in a local United Methodist congregation.

Churches Provide Spaces for Virtual Learning

posted on September 22

With many families navigating challenges related to virtual learning this fall, United Methodist churches are opening their doors to offer safe, shared learning spaces for neighborhood children. Learn about two churches' successful ministries and discover five tips for launching your own. Learn more...

Creating Spaces for New People

posted on September 01

Many churches have found new (and not so new) ways to successfully reach new people, build community and engage their neighbors. Due to the inability to safely gather in large groups, many churches have started and/or increased their church’s digital presence and online experience as the way to ...

Online Community Clothes Closet

posted on September 01

In response to COVID-19, ST Paul and ST Elizabeth United Methodist Churches in the Meridian area, started a new and exciting ministry, an online Community Clothes Closet. In this video, Rev. Eugene Boger explains how this is a continuing effort to offer clothing to the people in need in their ...

Churches Who Survive the Pandemic Will Do Three Things

posted on July 28

With over three months of pandemic life behind us, the world has changed. With a vaccine months away at best, increasing financial turmoil alongside the global response to the killing of George Floyd, it would be unwise to prognosticate about the world to come. But the fact is that many ...

Lead Like Jesus Online Leadership Academy

posted on July 10

Provides organizations and teams access to training videos, online courses, expert interviews and downloadable discussion guides to help inspire, equip and disciple those who view their leadership and influence as a Kingdom-building opportunity!   Topics include: 10-Minute Leader The Heart of a ...

Adapting to Changing Communication Needs: A ZOOM Chat with Church Leaders

posted on July 07

Watch a MyCom/UMCom Zoom chat as leaders talk through the blindspots, skepticism, battles with unknown cables and weak Wi-Fi during this time of "screens not people."

Why Pinterest Matters

posted on June 03

Guidelines for Tracking Online Attendance & Engagement

posted on May 12

Now more than any other time in history the church is faced with unprecedented change and opportunity. More than one billion hours of video are watched every day on YouTube. Every. Single. Day. YouTube reaches more U.S. consumers between the ages of 18 and 49 than all cable TV networks combined (see...

Be the Church: Wherever, Whenever

posted on May 07

For too long, some church leaders have devised strategies to get guests to “come to church.” However, this pandemic is forcing many in the church to see that the church building, the 'brick and mortar' is only a gathering point and not the church. Right now, in this moment, church leaders have been ...

God is Not Distant in Our Social Distancing

posted on May 07

By Rev. Trey Skaggs, pastor of Indianola First United Methodist Church Here are just a few snippets of our online worship story…   First off, we have an insanely talented and passionate staff who happen to have extensive experience in audio engineering and video production. In addition, many are ...

Leading by Example: Digital Neighbor Outreach

posted on May 07

By Rev. Chris McAlilly, Co-Pastor, Oxford University United Methodist Church   Three years ago, Oxford University United Methodist Church partnered with Faith Community Formation Office and Committee to create a digital outreach communication strategy. Since then, OU has slowly built up its online ...

Best Practices for Generating Growth in the Digital World

posted on May 06

Rather than the community coming to the church, the church should go to the community. Now more than any other time in history the church is faced with unprecedented change and opportunity. More than one billion hours of video are watched every day on YouTube. Every. Single. Day. YouTube reaches ...

The New Normal?

posted on April 28

Tips and Tools to Help Navigate Through This Challenging Time    The need for change is no longer something that is insignificant that can be ignored but something that is vitally important. It is time to re-think how we do ministry. Now more than ever, having an online presence is crucial for ...

Lead Like Jesus Encounter Comes to Mississippi

posted on February 27

Imagine leaders who lead like Jesus. Leaders who love those they influence so much that they help them get from the where they are to where God would have them go. Leaders who hold people accountable, encourage them daily, confront challenges and bring authenticity, character, and integrity to every...

God is at Work in Mississippi

posted on January 28

God is at work AND changing lives in Mississippi - big time! The United Methodist Churches in Union County are experiencing the unfolding of some new ways of church that is breathing life and hope into their congregations and the neighborhoods around them.   A year ago, the leader of this ...

Fresh Expressions Vision Day

posted on September 04

Join us on October 17, 2019 at Pleasant Hill UMC in Olive Branch for a one-day training event that provides the perfect opportunity to discover what it means to be the Church in new and creative ways, hear from Fresh Expressions practitioners, learn how to renew existing congregations through fresh ...

Four Questions to Make Your Worship More Millennial-Friendly

posted on July 23

Many millennials have opted out of church. Put your best foot forward to welcome them back home by evaluating key elements of your worship through four questions.  Four things to consider>>    

How to Tell the Difference Between a Ministry and a Fresh Expression?

posted on June 24

When you hear a story of a new kind of Church, one that looks different than what you already do on Sundays, it’s natural to want to put it in a category. It’s easy for a church leader to look at a fresh expression and say, “we already have a ministry that does that.” Another natural assumption to ...

How to be Both Multisite and Missional - at Any Church

posted on April 15

What if there is a way that every church whether declining, plateaued, or thriving can be truly missional and truly multisite?

Using Fresh Expressions to Innovate

posted on April 08

Luke Edwards, a provisional elder in the United Methodist Church, is the pastor of King Street Church, a network of fresh expressions in Boone, NC. He is passionate about balancing tradition and innovation to create new forms of church for folks previously excluded from church. Read his blog, “How ...

Fresh Expressions Pioneer Learning Community

posted on February 21

Pioneers are mission entrepreneurs who have the stirrings to go beyond existing church communities to engage in life and ministry with people, fostering fresh expressions of church that connect with those uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the inherited church.   Fresh Expressions Pioneer Communities ...

Churches are Closing. These Four Models are Thriving!

posted on February 19

Fresh Expressions featured at Missio Alliance  Models that are thriving today and in the future will have certain things in common, such as a commitment to making disciples of modern secularized Americans, a deep knowledge of the changing cultural landscape that exists outside of Christian enclaves,...

Fresh Expressions Learning Community, Retreat 1

posted on January 23

Cost: $469 (Mississippi Conference, UMC)*   Pioneers are mission entrepreneurs who have the stirrings to go beyond existing church communities to engage in life and ministry with people, fostering fresh expressions of church that connect with those uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the inherited ...

Fresh Expressions Learning Community, Retreat 2

posted on January 23

Pioneers are mission entrepreneurs who have the stirrings to go beyond existing church communities to engage in life and ministry with people, fostering fresh expressions of church that connect with those uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the inherited church.   Fresh Expressions Pioneer Communities ...

Good Friday/Holy Week

posted on December 18

IS IT ME? Please read Acts 28:23-31 How do you know when your heart has grown dull? (NRSV) How do you know when your heart is calloused? (NIV)  Do you think we know that we have grown dull and calloused?  Maybe, sometimes we know it, but I think they are times when we have grown calloused and dull ...

Memorial Day

posted on December 17

MAY WE TRULY FOLLOW OUR LEADER Remember your leaders who spoke God’s word to you. Imitate their faith as you consider the way their lives turned out. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Don’t be misled by the many strange teachings out there. It’s a good thing for the heart to be...

Love and Repentance

Dentist appointments, vacations, work or worship — our calendars tell us when and what we have to do. They help us avoid conflicts. But, what about when Ash Wednesday, the fasting-and-repentance start of Lent, and St. Valentine’s Day, the celebration of romance and chocolates, show up on the same ...

Mustang Football in NAIA Nationals

The Morningside College football team is the only undefeated college team in the state of Iowa and is playing in the NAIA National Championship game this Saturday. Besides getting ready for the big game, the team has taken time to meet with local elementary students to talk about integrity, respect,...