Category Archives: United Methodism

New Appointment Methodology

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

We (pastors and lay leaders from across the North District) met with Bishop Huie and a couple of cabinet members this morning in Ore City to hear about the new philosophy of appointing pastors to churches. They had intended to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ministry, Texas Annual Conference, Theology, Uncategorized, United Methodism | 3 Comments

Is Discipline the Answer?

Posted on December 13, 2008 by Richard Heyduck

Discipline is a good Methodist word. Sure, it’s mostly been reduced the name of a book, but we still value the idea. Our Methodist relationship with discipline mirrors what I see in our broader society. We think discipline is good, … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Taylor, Current events, Discipline, Economics, Spengler, Stoicism, Uncategorized, United Methodism | 2 Comments

United Methodist Restrictions

Posted on July 7, 2008 by Richard Heyduck

United Methodists have varying views on restrictions in the church, though there seems to be a strong trajectory against restrictions in general. We emphasize Open Communion. We preach the call of Christ to all to come to salvation. What restrictions … Continue reading →

Posted in United Methodism | 1 Comment

Two Big Mistakes

Posted on July 4, 2008 by Richard Heyduck

In my years of ministry (mostly in East Texas), I’ve come to see two big mistakes the church has made. One mistake is characteristic of my own Methodist tradition, the other characteristic of the dominant Protestant tradition of my region, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ministry, Salvation, United Methodism | 7 Comments

Cross Cultural Ministry in the US

Posted on April 29, 2008 by Richard Heyduck

Guy Williams has been blogging lately about ministry in the United Methodist Church, particularly on itineracy and matching churches and pastors. David Brooks’ column today sheds some light on the phenomena we’re seeing, particularly the gap between urban, suburban and … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Local church, Ministry, United Methodism | 4 Comments

Starfish and the Spider, part 3

Posted on March 27, 2008 by Richard Heyduck

Brafman & Becstrom, authors of The Starfish and the Spider, offer some “New Rules for the Game.” Here are their rules along with my comments. New Rules to the Game Diseconomies of scale – larger is not always better: Bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Leadership, United Methodism | 1 Comment

Starfish And Spider, part 2

Posted on March 26, 2008 by Richard Heyduck

Continuing my interaction with the book, The Starfish and the Spider, I’d like to see what relevance their discussion of discerning the one from the other might have for the United Methodist church. The authors give these questions to ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Local church, Ministry, United Methodism | Leave a comment

Starfish and the Spider

Posted on March 20, 2008 by Richard Heyduck

We had a stormy day Tuesday, so I took it as an opportunity to read a new leadership book (new to me, anyway), The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Brafman & Rod A. … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Local church, Ministry, United Methodism | 3 Comments

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations: Radical Hospitality

Posted on January 2, 2008 by Richard Heyduck

Radical Hospitality is the first of the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. That’s evangelism in plain Christianese. This is probably the new jargon I like the least. “Radical” is ok, but hospitality just seems weak in our current context. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Evangelism, Five Practices, Ministry, United Methodism | 1 Comment

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, 1

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Robert Fritz says Creative Tension is produced by the gap between a strongly held vision and a willingness to tell the truth about the present. Like many pastors, I have a strong vision to reach people for Christ: to help … Continue reading →

Posted in church growth, Five Practices, Leadership, Ministry, United Methodism | 2 Comments