Gadsden First UMC's VERGE event helps congregation's leaders prepare to "keep up with God"

2/3/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

untain Lakes District News January 2011
from the Mountain Lakes District News January 2011
reposted with permission

If there is one thing you can say about the God we serve, it is that God is always on the move! If you want to keep up with God, you have to be willing to put on your track shoes! God is constantly moving, constantly changing, constantly doing new things. Our problem is that we like to stop and “sit a spell!” We are more comfortable with things as they are. We don’t like change very much, and resist it mightily! So, we stop along the way then look up and see that God has moved on without us!

VERGE @ Gadsden First United Methodist Church was a leadership training/visioning/collaborating event held on Sunday, January 30th to help our leaders put on their track shoes! Over 130 persons attended this 4-hour event designed for all the leaders of the congregation. The event began with worship and ended with worship. In between those bookends, all the Ministry Teams and Administrative Groups heard from various presenters about their specific areas of ministry. Rev. Marcus Singleton was the preacher for the 2:00 PM worship. He challenged leadership to listen to God’s call and not be afraid of the “nay sayers.” Mr. Jake Barrett was the Worship Leader. The day concluded with the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Gadsden First has restructured its leadership around its Ministry Statement: “The People of Gadsden First United Methodist Church: Changing Lives by Sharing Christ, Making Disciples, Serving People and Giving Hope.” VERGE was the first meeting of many of the Ministry Teams formed to implement the Ministry Statement.
 

Comments

1. Karen O wrote on 2/6/2011 3:28:01 PM
I was not looking forward to spending 4 hrs playing "church " on a pretty Sun afternoon. When it was over no one wanted to leave. Best thing we have ever done!!
2. Roger Thompson wrote on 2/7/2011 7:16:59 AM
God's fingerprints were all over this wonderful event. From the first second to the last, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit working the room!
3. Melissa Self Patrick wrote on 2/7/2011 9:22:10 AM
Me, too, Roger! So glad to have been there with you all for this exciting opportunity for planning, growth, and worship!
4. Nancy Smith wrote on 2/7/2011 10:00:44 AM
VERGE was a mountaintop experience for me and definitely inspired me to put on my walking shoes. As I said to the staff in a recent Email, I am very blessed to be part of an alive, God-inspired congregation. Great things have been going on at GFUMC, and with God's leading and inspiration, I feel greater things are on the VERGE of happening.
5. Fred Sington , Jr wrote on 2/7/2011 10:49:03 AM
Was a tremendously uplifting event. It made me know where our church was going and that I wanted to be on the train.
6. Elizabeth Barnett wrote on 2/7/2011 10:54:02 AM
I too was not looking forward to 4 hours! BUT...the time FLEW by. It was an awesome experience. My husband and I are fairly new to GFUMC and LOVE how the spirit is moving!! We are leading the NEW Small Group Ministries team. I KNOW God has BIG plans for our church and God's people!!
7. Haley Brown wrote on 2/7/2011 2:22:05 PM
I agree with all of you...I was not looking forward to spending 4 hours at church on one of the most gorgeous days of the year so far...but from the time it began until the time it ended...the only time I looked at a clock was to say to myself...oh no! It's almost over!" It was a life-changing experience and I hope this excitement is contagious and spreads all over the congregation.
8. Rebecca Jones wrote on 2/9/2011 4:10:45 AM
I was so excited about VERGE for weeks...I had been praying for the Spirit to move and MOVE HE DID! I was craving praise and worship and it was awesome from the beginning to the end. I am praying for God to keep moving and moving in our lives and the community we love.