Recently, I visited St Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and had the most enlightening conversation regarding a Stewardship Program. Pastor Jeff Witt informed me of the concept, New Consecration Sunday. I became very curious of this financial concept and how it works. It was further explained that New Consecration Sunday focuses on teaching […]
(April 28, 2019 – Harrisonburg District) The Grand Opening of Mission Central was a grand success. Several hundred people came to see the new building that headquarters “Mission Central.” Mrs. Artie Frederick welcomed everyone. Artie has been the driver and the hardest worker. Mrs. Delores Reid shared the purpose for the Center. Delores is in […]
Lori joined the Development Company’s Board in April 2018. She had previously served on the Foundation Board for ten years. Presently, Lori is the chairperson of the Finance Committee for the Development Company. Lori works for PBMares and is the Director, State and Local Tax Team Leader in Fairfax, Virginia. She leads the firm in […]
Recently, Randy Shelton and Tommy Herndon had the honor of visiting Louisa UMC’s new Fellowship Hall. Rev. David Palmer, the pastor at Louisa UMC, showed us the finished project. He said this church had wanted a larger Fellowship Hall for a long time. The economy fell apart in 2008 and the project was placed on […]
The merger of Broad Street UMC and West End UMC of the Elizabeth River District happened on July 1, 2018. When the two churches decided to merge, about fifty potential names were discussed. The name chosen was Crossroads UMC. Broad Street UMC had a building that needed extensive work, and after much discussion, the two […]
Different countries have distinctive cultural heritages that shape values and influence the impact of churches in our society. Our experiences and insight into the problems found in society help us to facilitate social change. We become change agents with the desire to make life better for others. We grow up as individuals with a learning […]
In the 1950’s, church growth experts would say, “Build it and they’ll come to you.” Today, this is not the case! The church must go beyond the doors of the church and get into the community. Churches that are growing go into the community and find ways the community is hurting and then they deal […]
William (‘Bill’) Coppa is one of our newest members of the Development Company Board of Managers. He is a federally authorized tax practitioner who has technical experience in the field of taxation, and is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service. Bill […]
I read an article by Andrew Ponder Williams that was so powerful it made me think. He says simple acts of kindness can counter the cultural narrative of meanness and it is a powerful way for the church to connect with others. He says kindness is the new evangelism. He says, “So much of the […]
Recent studies show we forget 50 percent of what we hear immediately, 80 percent within a day and 97 percent within a week. So what’s the solution? When you listen, make understanding your goal, and not just remembering facts. Great learners are great listeners; that’s why they always have a flow of innovative and fresh […]