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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
January 2006 |
| Genesis |
Two retired pastors breath new life into Michiana church
It all began six years ago when the Rev. Don Carpenter, recently retired, was asked to be interim pastor in a South Bend church that was reeling from conflict and decline. A number of families had left the church. The congregation needed much pastoral care for a time of healing and recovery.
Carpenter, who has since celebrated 50 years in the ministry, accepted the challenge prayerfully but hopefully. He found pain and anger and knew he needed to listen, with God's help enabling the church to experience God's healing grace and redirection.
After seeing healing taking place and discovering a church with gifted lay leadership, a church anxious to recover its strength, Carpenter proposed writing a church mission statement. Eighteen months later, with the help of the Rev. Steve Burris, Southlawn UMC emerged, not only with a bright new church mission statement, but with new self-esteem, spiritual energy and a vision for the future.
Soon worship services began to grow and in the next three years Southlawn received 25 new members, including a nice class of young people. Southlawn was not only recovering but experiencing emerging new confidence and strength for mission and ministry.
Carpenter, who was thinking of one or two years at Southlawn, is now completing his sixth year as pastor. Emphasizing tithing as not only biblical but spiritually nurturing, Southlawn has no trouble paying North Indiana Conference apportionments and has made several significant building improvements.
At the end of year two, Carpenter made a bold move. A minister friend of his was retiring and purchasing a house in South Bend near Southlawn. A month later the Rev. Ron Dixon joined the Southlawn staff as teaching pastor. Three years later Southlawn has more than 20 people attending Disciple Bible Study, more than 15 attending Christian believer classes and 18 graduates of Walk to Emmaus.
According to Carpenter, the ways Southlawn UMC experienced healing and new life and an exciting vision of ministry include:
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Pastoral care and visioning. A lot of one-on-one time with church leaders; encouraging, educating, empowering, equipping.
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Leadership development. Much one-on-one time with church leaders - educating, training, empowering strong leadership.
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Alive and vital worship. Southlawn has moved to blended worship using both traditional and contemporary worship styles with biblical lectionary teaching.
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Strong emphasis on intercessory prayers for healing and spiritual formation.
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Strong emphasis on children and youth ministries including a new preschool, new church library and new youth ministry, and
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Focus on mission emphasizing callings to the church.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008