DEVELOPING PRINCIPLED CHRISTIAN LEADERS FOR THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD

What happens when nearly 14 million United Methodists around the world focus on a single idea with four "themes"? Denominational leaders pray that in the next four years, some amazing transformations will take place around the corner and around the world.

That's what's happening with the "Four Areas of Focus," adopted by the 2008 General Conference and rolled out in earnest at the quadrennial training event for annual conference leaders Jan. 29-Feb. 1, in Jacksonville.

More than 1,200 leaders gathered for the "Living the United Methodist Way: Turning Worlds Upside Down" event to learn how their respective places of ministry can connect with others to transform themselves and the world.

The Four Areas of Focus are: developing leadership, starting new churches and renewing existing ones, ministry with the poor, and global health.

Reflections from NCNY attendees

Marie DeWispelaere, Conference Associate Lay Leader
Marti Swords-Horrell, Fayetteville United Methodist Church NCNY
Phyllis Covell

Resources

The UMC Quadrenial Training Event website
Article: United Methodists seek to ‘turn worlds upside down’ 
1-2-3-4 About United Methodists Cards

Prayer and Worship Resources

Pray-as-you-go . . . daily prayer for your MP3 player
The Methodist Church of Great Britain | Prayer of the Day
The Upper Room
GBOD | Worship
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle

The Four Focus Areas

NEW PLACES FOR NEW PEOPLE AND RENEWING EXISTING CONGREGATIONS

10ThousandChurches:The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. - UMC.org
rethink church
UMCommunities.org

ENGAGING IN MINISTRY WITH THE POOR

Sorry Day - Australia

STAMPING OUT KILLER DISEASES OF POVERTY BY IMPROVING HEALTH GLOBALLY

Global Issues
Bible Study of Poverty; 5 sessions; The West Ohio Conference