UMC Leadership Gathering: Embracing Change Makes Room for the New

What happened at the United Methodist Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering in Calgary? And what does it mean for your local church?

Rachel Shipley Blackwell, a lay leader from St. John’s UMC in Lubbock, was one of three Horizon Texas Conference representatives who traveled to Canada to join United Methodists from around the world. For several days, they worshiped, built relationships, and dreamed together about the future of the church.

Hosts Rev. Daniel Hawkins and Rev. Kristin Warthen invited Rachel to reflect on her trip and the work she and other United Methodists from around the connection did in Calgary. She shares what it was like to spend that time with people from so many different contexts and what her group explored about helping younger generations lead in the church. From there, the conversation turns toward home, as she reflects on how our congregations can make real room for new voices and new ideas and how we can walk through change together with hope.

Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering:
https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/council-of-bishops-leadership-gathering

Horizon Texas representatives return from Calgary:
https://www.htcumc.org/horizon-texas-representatives-return-from-calgary-with-hope-for-the-churchs-future

St. John’s United Methodist Church, Lubbock:
https://stjohnslubbock.org/

Scriptures referenced in this episode:
Genesis 1:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1&version=NRSVUE
Revelation 21:5:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+21%3A5&version=NRSVUE