Category Archives: Ministry

Changing the Covenant

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

Some of the latest big news in the UMC is from the study committee that is suggesting that we do away with the “guaranteed appointment” for ordained Elders. It is “a promise the church can no longer keep.” For those … Continue reading →

Posted in Ministry, United Methodism | 4 Comments

Non-Fans?

Posted on March 25, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

One of the books I’m reading now is Neil Cole’s Organic Leadership: Leading Naturally Right Where You  Are. If you’re a committed proponent of traditional ways of doing, structuring and leading church, don’t read this book. Keep it far away. … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Ministry | Leave a comment

Success in ministry

Posted on August 29, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

Several years ago we had an after-school ministry for upper elementary aged children. By the time we stopped it, it looked like a whopping success. Our little small town church would have 40-50 kids, mostly not from our church, show … Continue reading →

Posted in church growth, Leadership, Local church, Ministry | 1 Comment

Perfection

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

I’m a perfectionist. But I’m not a perfectionist in every area. I’m also not a perfectionist with everyone. I insist on perfection from myself much more often (or so I think – if you know better, let me know) than … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Ministry, Perfectionism | 2 Comments

Listening to John Ortberg

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

The last workshop I went to at the Renovare Conference in San Antonio this past week was a conversation with John Ortberg. I first heard of Ortberg when he was on staff at Willowcreek church. He’s now served as pastor … Continue reading →

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Discipleship Goals #5

Posted on March 5, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

Evangelism, the apparent traditional equivalent of what we now call “Radical Hospitality” closes out this series on the characteristics we try to build into the lives of disciples in our work of disciple making. This equation may be my least … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelism, Five Practices, Ministry, Salvation | Leave a comment

Discipleship Goals #5

Posted on March 5, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

Our conference talks about Risk Taking Ministry. As a pastor I’d be happy if all my people were involved in any kind of ministry. In my life the genre of literature that has most spurred me to risk taking ministry … Continue reading →

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Discipleship Goals #3

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations movement, as exemplified in our Texas Annual Conference, speaks of the practice of “Faith Forming Relationships.” I served on the conference committee tasked with this area after the reorganization. As far as I could … Continue reading →

Posted in Five Practices, Local church, Ministry, Texas Annual Conference, United Methodism | Leave a comment

Discipleship Goals #2

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

It’s easy to center the act of disciple making on what we do with individuals. But if all we do in our disciple making is work with individuals, we’re missing both the model of Jesus and what we see in … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Five Practices, Ministry, Spirituality, Uncategorized, Worship | Leave a comment

Discipleship Goals #1

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

The mission of the United Methodist Church is to “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Sounds good. But it’s pretty vague, especially given our fragmented theology. I thought it would be useful to explore in … Continue reading →

Posted in Five Practices, Local church, Ministry, Spirituality | 2 Comments