WDC-Stories Archives - Page 7 of 45 - Western District Conference

What now?

The Mennonite Church USA Special Delegate Assembly is over, and decisions have been made. What has changed? What does it mean for my conference, my congregation and me? What opportunities […]

Church Library Committees & Librarians–This One’s For You

This last week I was reflecting on the benefits of being a part of a faith community. The local congregation is a place of healing and hope that encourages me […]

Forming Faith in Kansas City?

Since I got home, I’ve been thinking about youth and young adult faith formation in Kansas City at our MC USA Special Delegate Session. When I think of the Biennial […]

Words for when we can’t see the way ahead

What will happen? How will we feel about it? What will we do next? These were questions in my mind as I prepared to go to Kansas City for the […]

Jesus Gives Us Peace–Thoughts for Mental Health Awareness Month

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do […]

How Broad Is the Broader Church?

I’ve been listening to interesting conversations recently about the broader church, and I mean this on several levels. As congregations prepare to send or not send delegates to the Mennonite […]

Awed by God’s Creation

Last Friday evening a strong storm system with high winds and tornados moved through our area. The sky turned a dull yellow-brown, as dust filled the air, the wind howled and […]

Resurrection Faith

These days there are many people, tasks and activities needing our attention. There are many things going on in the world that feel heavy and hard. We feel weary from […]

“It’s Hard Work”: The Thursday Evening Bible Study

Over the last two years, a women’s group at Hope Mennonite Church (Wichita, KS) has engaged in some hard work. Propelled by the the increasing acceptance of overtly racist statements and […]

Camino a la Cruz

En esta reflexión trataremos de contextualizar el significado de las huellas de Jesús en el camino a la cruz. Lo que también conocemos como El Vía Crucis. El relato de […]

Faith Formation When the Well Is Dry

Here’s the dilemma that I’ve heard a lot lately: We want our children, youth, and adults to continue growing in faith and in spiritual vitality. At the same time, many […]

Cultivating Generous Congregations

What were your early childhood experiences with money? What church experiences and life events have influenced your money attitudes and behavior? These questions are included in a “Money Autobiography” exercise […]

Preparing our Easter Hope

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you. –1 Peter 3:15 As we move through Lent […]

Where Are All the Pastors? Grow Some!

My last article “Why Are There So Few Pastors Out There?” inspired conversation and challenge. One reader suggested that part of the solution to “finding more pastors” is to invite […]

Lament and Love in the Face of War

On February 24, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine. That same morning my devotional reading included Jesus’ words in Luke 6: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the […]

Response to Crisis in Ukraine

As the crisis in Ukraine deepens following the invasion by Russian military forces on February 24, I invite you to join Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) and Mennonite World Conference in offering prayer […]

WDC Church Planting Commission Announces a New Strategic Plan

Church planting. Revitalizing congregations. Fostering relationships with emerging Anabaptist/Mennonite groups. These are the priorities and vision giving shape to the new strategic plan created by the WDC Church Planting Commission. […]

Book Bundles for Group Study and More!

Have you seen the books Herald Press has been publishing recently? They are thinking about and engaging writers who are addressing some of today’s difficult topics–racism, immigration, the opioid crisis, peacemaking, […]

Atrevernos a Conectar con Otros…

Me gusta pensar que si la biblia esta llena de historias de gente y su relación con Dios, es porque al conocer estas historias conectamos con lo que pasa en […]

Photo credit: Nycholas Benaia on Unsplash

Why Are There So Few Ministers Out There?

Search Committees, and frankly, church members not on Search Committees, keep asking me this question: Why are there so few ministers out there looking for a congregation? If you are […]