RECLAIM. REVIVE. RENEW.: THREE SIMPLE WAYS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION

Three Simple Ways to Continue the Conversation 

There has never been a more important time to inject hopefulness, vision, and bold faith into our local churches and communities. NYAC Resident Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, President of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, laid the groundwork in his Mid-Term State of the United Methodist Church Address. 

Now it's our turn to fuel ongoing conversation. 

Here are three simple ways you can help expand the conversation around Bishop Bickerton's message encouraging the people of the United Methodist Church to change the conversation and reclaim God’s calling on our much beloved church: 

Download a copy of the Mid-Term State of the United Methodist Church Address  for a viewing or plan to watch it on YouTube. Be sure to include ample time after to engage in scripture readings and conversation on key points from the address.

Some NYAC churches are already planning special viewing events. If your church is one of them, we'd love to know and share your story to encourage and inspire others. 

Get started by downloading a copy of the Reclaim. Revive. Renew Discussion Guide. 

The one-page guide is manageable, yet comprehensive in its work to cover the bases and structure robust discussion around areas including the 1850 Book of Discipline Advice to Maintain Union, Attributes of a Beloved Community, and other points covered in the video. 

Spread Bishop Bickerton's hopeful message and clarion call to action by downloading the print version of the Address and including it as a bulletin insert.

Bishop's Message for Ash Wednesday and the Journey of Lent makes for a great companion piece and is also available for download as well. Please feel free to reprint this content in your church newsletter. 

If you've come up with more creative ways (social media campaign, Zoom discussions, targeted mailings, etc.) to engage your church in this essential conversation, please let us know. 

It's time to root ourselves more deeply in the words, actions, and life of Jesus Christ and begin a new and ongoing conversation on how we can become a reclaimed, revived and renewed people of God.