If you have heard our Bishop preach then you know the passion that is within him. If you have not had the opportunity then you will not want to miss September 7th when Bishop James Swanson comes to First UMC Hillsville to preach for our Homecoming service. I am including one of his recent blogs and also links to read and hear more about the Episcopal Leader of The Holston Conference of the UMC.
Ronnie
Soaring http://holston.org/about/bishop-swanson/blog/
Holston Conference http://www.holston.org/
First Hillsville UMC http://www.holston.org/churches/first-umc-hillsville-hillsville-va/
Soaring – Bishop’s Blog
Is This a Turnaround?
July 10, 2008
Well, the membership figures for last year are in and … the Holston Conference showed a net gain of 172 members.
I commend the laity and clergy of Holston Conference for your willingness to invite, welcome, and lead persons to confession of faith in Jesus Christ and to affirm that faith through baptism. 2007 marks only the second time since 1969 that the Holston Conference has reported membership growth. The last time was in 1997, when we reported an increase of 67 members.
I want to celebrate this increase, and I trust that it is a harbinger of growth for years to come. Looking back over our records, I noticed that from 1956 to 1969 we only experienced two years of lost members. I believe we can continue our growth if we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to “Offer Them Christ.”
I realize that some of you are asking, “Who are the ‘them’ of which we speak?”
The “them” are all persons inside and outside the church in need of the grace of God. Some are in need of heeding the pull of “prevenient grace.” Then there are those in need of “justifying grace.” Last but least, those of us who have confessed Christ as our Savior are in need of “sanctifying grace.”
I long to hear more people sing, “It’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” I want to hear more persons sing, “He touched me, and oh, the joy that floods my soul! Something happened, and now I know, he touched me and made me whole.”
And oh, I want to hear our churches filled with a thunderous singing of “take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee.” We have demonstrated that we can do it, so let us be about the joyous ministry of offering them Christ. I choose to believe that is a turnaround. Hallelujah!