The
Kerusso – July | 2025 Special Vision Edition – # 1 of 5
Over the next five weeks, look for a “Special Vision Edition ” of the Kerusso. Each issue will delve into one of our current denominational priorities, which are the specific areas and initiatives through which we aim to further our overall organizational mission .
Each week will focus on our progress and future goals for our 5 current priorities.
The Evangelical Methodist Church: Who We Are, and Where We Are Going Max Edwards, IGS
Our faith family came into being to hold tightly to things that were being lost or jettisoned in other Christian movements. A clear belief in the inspiration and authenticity of the Bible is of non-negotiable importance. Along with that come a set of Wesleyan/Arminian theological beliefs expressed in our basic tenets of faith.
The MISSION of the EMC is laid out in the opening paragraphs of the Constitution of our Discipline. We’ll explore that more on page 2 Our mission drives and fuels our current denominational priorities. Through them, we help fulfill the mission by focusing on specific goals and targets.
The PRIORITIES for this quadrennium were established in late 2022 and early 2023, and can be expressed through the acronym P.E.A.C.E. - -
Planting Churches
Educating Ministers
Aspiring to Holiness
Connecting People and Churches
Equipping Leaders
It was a humble meeting of pastors and laymen in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 9, 1946, in which these fundamentals were firmly set. The prayers and conversations of that assembly led to a strong sense that God was ordaining the formation of the newly named “Evangelical Methodist Church.”
This next year, we will celebrate 80 years of ministry in the EMC. 80 years of preaching truth80 years of training disciples –80 years of serving the needy and the broken –80 years of sharing the gospel with others around the world –
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
The Mission of the EMC
Our founders envisioned a vibrant community where faith comes alive, people are transformed, and God's love is actively shared with our neighbors and the world. They saw a need for a place where fidelity is paramount, love is evident, and where Christian fellowship and discipleship are the tools to grow both believers and congregations . They saw then, and we still see today, a denomination deeply rooted in biblical truth, passionately committed to worship, and courageously dedicated to serving others . This is who we are, and it frames our ongoing commitment, both in our local communities and beyond.
These words describe the ongoing mission of the EMC : Worship, Discipleship, Holiness, and Evangelism!
Four components, each with a directional aspect:
Upward – Our relationship with God
Beside – Our relationship with Other Believers
Inside – Our internal walk with Christ
Outside – Our witness to the world for Christ
Promoting Worship! Our first calling is to worship God in spirit and truth. This is the foundation from which all other aspects of our mission flow. The adoration of the one true God is our highest calling and greatest privilege.
Fostering Discipleship ! We are called to a lifelong journey of learning and growing in Christ. This means not only our own growth but also helping others to grow, nurturing them in their faith and understanding of Christ’s core teachings.
Modeling Holiness! We must always strive to live a life set apart for God, reflecting His character to the world Our people are to demonstrate holiness of heart and life, making our message more compelling and authentic to others.
Inspiring Evangelism! We are to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don't know Him through personal and corporate missions efforts, inviting people into a relationship with God, and into a safe and loving community.
Evangelical Methodist Churc hes across the country have united together with a shared commitment to these core values , and a shared burden for their communities.
Whether it is at Connections Community Church on the West Coast of Oregon …
Or at Elizabeth City EMC, which sits just minutes from the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Coast …
the Evangelical Methodist Church has a sold-out commitment to loving God, loving people, respecting the authority of the Scripture, and making disciples who will, in turn, make disciples
In Him. With You.
Church Planting
Think of a tree in a nearby park. If you scanned it from top to bottom, you’d probably see some dormant branches. It is quite natural for some limbs to lose their vibrancy and to eventually break off. If the tree does not sprout new shoots and new branches, the tree itself will eventually wither up and die.
If we think of the EMC as that tree, in the same way, we must always be sprouting new limbs, new buds, new branches. If that fails to happen, we will experience a plateau and eventual decline. We mustn’t allow that to happen. So, church planting must always be a priority!
Over the last few years, the General Council and Cabinet of Superintendents have worked to elevate this priority to an even higher level. Four things can be identified that have helped us arrest a decline in the number of EMC churches in the USA Conference, and hopefully set us on a new trajectory :
1. The creation of a new church -planting endowment, “The Legacy Fund.”
In September of 2019, the Council established it, with a determination that the majority of the proceeds from all future sales of denominational property would flow into the Legacy Fund, with the goal being a $1,000,000 endowment. With that in place, the Board of Evangelism could sustainably invest 10’s of thousands of dollars each year into new church plants without ever touching the principal. In the first few months o f 2022, the million-dollar goal was reached! Praise the Lord! The current balance of the Legacy Fund is above $1,150,000.
2. A Church Planter’s Bootcamp was held at the Heritage Learning Center in 2019 . We hosted an event that brought experienced planters, academic experts, and those interested in church planting together for three days. It was amazing! Speakers included Dr. Jay Moon, Dr. Jim Halbert, Dr. Don Moon, Rev. Mike Whitney, Rev. Steve Miller, Rev. Kevin Cain, Rev. Wes Mackey, and a few others. The feedback we received was outstanding, and 28 people attended. Of those, fully six men and women have become involved in a church plant, either as a planting pastor, or as pastor of a hosting church, investing in a daughter or sister church plant. That is tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit’s leading and blessing in this effort!
3. Since January of 2020, 12 Churches have been planted and affiliated as EMC churches! Praise the Lord for folks like Bethany and Jeff Stockett, Tiffany Barber, Jon Tel lifero, Lynn Malone, Rick Stackhouse, Trey Harris, Jonathan Reece, Debra Miller and Luis Magallanes, Steve Miller, Stephen Housewright, Brian Gordon and Howie McKinney, Jun Mateo and Aaron Valencia , and Kelly Carner! Actually, a total of 17 churches have been launched by EMC’ers in that time, but not all of them have survived to full affiliation. These wonderful churches , planters, and pastors should be in our daily prayers a s they seek to transform their communities in the name of Christ.
4. Significant investment has been made in our existing church plants. The General Board of Evangelism serves as the governing agency with fiduciary responsibility concerning grants and other kinds of investments in church plants and church revitalization. Churches desiring to “daughter” a congregation are encouraged to talk to Pastor Russ Cochran, chairman of that board, as well as planters who have a desire and a vision for establishing a new EMC congregation somewhere. Since 2018, the Board of Evangelism has invested $265,605 in church planting efforts. It is only by the grace of God that our small denomination has been blessed to be able to invest that level of resource in our plants and planters.
Those are some things we’ve been able to accomplish … turn to page 4 to read about what we sense is
What’s on the Horizon for Church Planting?
Wouldn’t it be great if we could just wipe away the fog of time and clearly see what lies ahead? Well, we can’t! But we can do our best to ply the resources we have and to attempt to anticipate some opportunities and maybe create new ones.
First and foremost, it should be said that the Legacy Fund will continue to yield interest, so that over the next four years, we hope to be able to invest somewhere in the neighborhood of $250,000 - $300,000 in new church plants without ever touching the basis of the asset. That is exciting, and what the Legacy Fund was established to do.
In late May, the Superintendents met to prayerfully brainstorm regarding our current priorities. Church planting was certainly a top-shelf subject. We know that we must continue to birth new congregations if we hope to grow. And the focus of the Superintendents AND the Board of Evangelism is not ONLY on new plants, but also on the revitalization of existing churches that have stagnated for one reason or another.
We have identified 3 things that we hope to accomplish over the next several years:
1. Scholarship prospective planters to an “Exponential” conference. What is Exponential? “Exponential is a growing community of leaders committed to accelerating the multiplication of healthy, reproducing faith communities. We equip movement makers with actionable principles, ideas, and solutions. We are passionate about accelerating multiplication through Multipliers! ” (from their website: https: //exponential.org/about/)
The next Exponential Conference will be held on March 17 –19, 2026, at First Baptist of Orlando (3000 S John Young Pkwy Orlando, Florida). The registration cost is $299. The Cabinet of Superintendents has committed to providing up to 8 registration scholarships per year for EMC Credential holders who demonstrate a real interest in church revitalization and/or church planting. Ask a Superintendent about it, and make plans to go in March of 2026 !
2. We plan to establish a recruiting presence in our trusted colleges and seminaries . We know that some tremendous young pastors are coming out of academic institutions such as Asbury University, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary, Ohio Christian University, and others that have a passion to reach their generations for Christ. We plan to reach out to Alumni of each of these institutions to formulate a plan for how to present the EMC as a viable place of service, so that some of the young women and men who will be entering the ministry in the next decade might consider planting a church in our fellowship. If you know someone in one of these academic venues who is pursuing a call to ministry, please contact a Superintendent and alert them so that we can contact them.
3. We are laying plans now to host another Church Planters Bootcamp. The event that we hosted in 2019 was very successful. We want to build on that experience and success and host an event of our own, probably somewhere between 2026 and 2028. It takes significant planning to get on speakers’ calendars that are busy and in strong demand. We have already spoken with a potential coordinator who has agreed to take this on with passion and purpose. Look for more information in the coming year or so. We hope to identify and inspire 10-15 church planters in whom we can invest both time and resources. Pray with us for the persons, yet unknown, who will make up our next corps of church plant pastors.
The Kerusso – July | 2025 Special Vision Edition – # 2 of 5
This is the SECOND installment of the five -part “Vision Edition ” of the Kerusso, with each exploring one of our current denominational priorities , which are how we hope to advance our overall organizational mission .
Th e first page of each weekly edition is a reminder of our primary organizational mission. Page 2 focuses on current achievements, and page 3 looks at future goals regarding Educating Ministers.
The Evangelical Methodist Church: Who We Are
Our founders envisioned a vibrant community where faith comes alive, people are transformed, and God's love is actively shared with our neighbors and the world. They saw a need for a place where fidelity is paramount, love is evident, and where Christian fellowship and discipleship are the tools to grow both believers and congregations They saw then, and we still see today, a denomination deeply rooted in biblical truth, passionately committed to worship, and courageously dedicated to serving others . This is who we are, and it frames our ongoing commitment, both in our local communities and beyond
These 4 words describe the ongoing mission of the EMC : Worship, Discipleship, Holiness, and Evangelism!
Four components, each with a directional aspect:
Upward – Our relationship with God
Beside – Our relationship with Other Believers
Inside – Our internal walk with Christ
Outside – Our witness to the world for Christ
Worship Our first calling is to worship God in spirit and truth. Discipleship We are called to a lifelong journey of learning and growing in Christ. Holiness We must always strive to live a life set apart for God Evangelism We are to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don't know Him.
We seek to accomplish this mission by focusing on specific goals. OUR C URRENT PRIORITIES are expressed through an acronym:
P Planting Churches
E Educating Ministers
A Aspiring to Holiness
C Connecting People
E Equipping Leaders
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Educating Ministers
The Apostle Paul declared that God gives leadership gifts to individuals for the benefit of the entire body of Christ. To the Ephesians, he wrote: “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive a nd gave gifts to men … a nd He himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ ...” Leadership in the church is a holy calling that requires a serious commitment, which should include both theological education and practical preparedness.
A thorough theological education in a Christian College or Seminary is a wonderful way to prepare for vocational ministry, but we know that there are those for whom undergraduate and/or graduate theological education is not possible . That is why the Evangelical Methodist Church established the Haggard School of Ministry . It is designed to provide quality preparatory ministerial education to candidates seeking to answer God’s call to Christian service.
1. The Haggard School of Ministry
The EMC established the Haggard School of Ministry in 2012 , naming it after Dr. Cornelius P. Haggard, the 13th President of Azusa Pacific College, now Azusa Pacific University. Dr. Haggard was a highly respected academician, theologian, and a key leader in the earliest days of the Evangelical Methodist Church. He served for many years with both Dr. Hamblen and Dr. Vanderwood as Assistant General Superintendent. It was his commitment to theological education and ministry that the Church sought to memorialize in the naming of the Haggard School of Ministry .
Since its launch 10 years ago, the Haggard School has delivered courses to 63 students!
A comprehensive curriculum provides training and education in the following categories: Bible, History, Theology, and Practical Ministry. Prospective ministers can pursue education suited to becoming an Elder, Local Preacher, or Deacon with ministerial credentials, or as a Lay Exhorter in a local church. It would be hard to overstate the value of the Haggard School in preparing folks for service in churches across the EMC.
For those seeking an accredited undergraduate degree, t he leaders of the Haggard School have negotiated a cooperative relationship with Ohio Christian University in Circleville, Ohio (OCU) such that nearly all HSOM courses are approved for transfer into an OCU degree program for full academic credit! Incredible!
2. Preaching Institutes in 2021 and 2024
To further hone the preaching and leadership skills of our pastors and credential holders, we hosted two Preaching Institutes at the Heritage Learning Center in Indianapolis. Both events combined a focus on the Spirit -inspired Word of God that possesses the power to change the world with excellent presenters and preparatory prayer. It was a joy to see seasoned coaches passing on their skills in pedagogy and homiletics to hungry students.
The AMP2021 event saw 21 attendees sitting under the wonderful tutelage of Dr. Ron Smith and Rev. Stan Key. Dr. Ron was serving as the President of the Francis Asbury Society (FAS) having also served for many years as the President of Wesley Biblical Seminary. Rev. Key was the recent past President of FAS, and distinguished himself as a skilled local church pastor and church planter.
In October of 2024, our preaching and leadership event hosted 25 attendees who benefited from hearing some amazing presenters, including Dr. Jim Lyon, Drs. Bill and Gloria Gaither, Rev. Scott Wade, Rev. Carlton Smith, and Ms. Shannon Anderson. It was a truly special time, filled with insight, laughter, and tangible help for how to incorporate storytelling into pulpit presentations, as well as how to incorporate sermon series into a preaching schedule.
What’s on the Horizon for Educating Ministers ?
The existence of the Haggard School of Ministry certainly affords a solid base for training and educating our developing ministry corps, but we know that there is more to be done.
The Superintendents have been thinking deeply about ways to improve the ministerial preparation of our ministers, as well as how to support their ongoing well-being through an emphasis on proper self-care and ongoing emotional health.
We envision two improvements that we hope will impact the preparedness of those coming into the EMC , and one that is targeted at the continuing health of everyone currently serving.
1. We will be working to encourage churches to create Pastoral Internship opportunities. There is no doubt that an on-staff internship is an excellent preparatory opportunity for those new to pastoral ministry. The problem is that few internships are currently offered by our churches. Elizabeth City EMC in Eastern North Carolina has launched a program to provide such an opportunity, and Refuge Ministries in Texas provides developmental training to young pastors in its network of connected churches. We will be working with other healthy EMC churches to encourage even more such preparatory positions in the future for those preparing for ministry.
Immersive internship programs allow aspiring clergy to apply theoretical knowledge in real world ministry settings, gaining hands -on experience in areas such as sermon preparation and delivery, pastoral care, community outreach, and administrative tasks. Internships also foster the development of crucial interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making, as interns navigate complex human situations and learn to provide compassionate and effective spiritual guidance. Please contact a Conference Superintendent if you’d be interested in an internship position or if you would like to explore providing an internship in your local church.
2. We are enhancing our introductory course – HI-101 “This is the EMC.”
One area that has become clear to us as needing improvement is the HSOM introductory course, “This is the EMC.” It is required for everyone in the school, AND for everyone transferring into the EMC from other faith tribes. The Superintendents are responsible for both teaching the course and determining its subject material. Over some years, for whatever reason, the course has become little more than a brief orientation to the Discipline and has been s hortened to just 3 hours.
We have just recently given the course a good overhaul, matching the content with the core missional values of Worship, Discipleship, Holiness, and Evangelism. The course will be taught in person at least once a year, either in the late Summer before the annual General Council meeting in September, or in the Spring, one day before a regional Journey meeting commences. Look for more info to come.
3. We will annually offer scholarships to “Sanctuary Coaching & Counseling . ”
Sanctuary Coaching and Counseling was designed by its founders to invest in the well-being of pastors, missionaries, and faith leaders by ministering to their mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational health. The services are designed to help bring clarity to past experiences, issues of conflict, and holistic relationships. The hope is that through compassionate and professional counseling, leaders can find help in determining steps for moving forward to experience greater freedom and improved well -being.
The Superintendents have committed to annually offering limited scholarships for pastors needing these kinds of services, but who need some financial support to acquire them. Superintendents will be talking about this more and more, presenting the opportunity in local church Annual Conferences and in the introductory course, “This is the EMC.”
The Kerusso – July | 2025 Special Vision
This is the THIRD installment of the five -part “Vision Edition” of the Kerusso, with each exploring one of our current denominational priorities , which are how we hope to advance our overall organizational mission .
Th e first page of each weekly edition is a reminder of our primary organizational mission. Page 2 focuses on current achievements, and page 3 looks at future goals regarding Aspiring to Holiness.
The Evangelical Methodist Church: Who We Are
Worship - Our first calling is to worship God in spirit and truth.
Discipleship - We are called to a lifelong journey of learning and growing in Christ. Holiness - We must always strive to live a life set apart for God . Evangelism - We are to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don't know Him.
This is the EMC, and it is what our local churches are doing, domestically and abroad!
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Aspiring to Holiness
The Apostle John did not mince words when talking about taking on the character of Christ: “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked ” (1 John 2:6) This is precisely the same sentiment that the writer of Hebrews conveyed when they wrote: “W ork at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
Without Christlikeness, nothing else we do matters much. And it isn’t enough to ADMIRE holiness as if to see it afar off, and like the looks of it in others. We absolutely must ASPIRE TO holiness in ourselves. As the definition of aspire indicates, we must engage our personal ambition toward becoming holy, as He is holy.
1. It All Comes Down to Modeling Servanthood … Christlike Living
The members of the leadership team at the helm of the EMC have each committed to pursu ing holiness of heart and life. The practical implications of that pursuit include an all-out commitment to unity, honesty, transparency, and surrendered accountability. The greatest gift parents can give to their children is purity and faithfulness in marriage, and in like manner, we know that one of the greatest gifts we as leaders can give to our people is that same kind of honest transparency that is both attractive and God-honoring
All of our pastors and churches receive routine reports and communication from the Superintendents and the General Council regarding news from across the denomination , as well as ministry and financial reports that give an honest and open picture of where we are.
2. Financial Integrity and Transparency
The EMC has a long-standing record of fiscal integrity. Our corporate books are professionally audited or reviewed every year, and we are proud that our audit reports are clean. But beyond clear audits lies a need for clean and trusted communication - an openness about our finances, whether they are good or bad. That kind of transparency builds trust, and we have been working hard to increase openness and trust across the board in our financial matters. We are hearing that our fiscal transparency is making a real difference in the trust relationship between our churches and our ministry office.
3. Monthly Superintendent Prayer Meetings Open to Pastors
Holiness is Christlikeness, and no one modeled a consistent and impactful prayer life better than Jesus himself. Prayer increases our dependence on God; it enhances intimacy with the Holy Spirit; and it puts us in the same posture as our great intercessor, Jesus Christ.
The Cabinet of Superintendents has been meeting in monthly prayer meetings for many years running. Our meeting is normally conducted by ZOOM on the first Thursday of each month. Because we have to coordinate the complexities of four different travel schedules, we somet imes meet on a later Thursday. Most recently, we have begun to invite all the pastors across the USA Conference to join us for the second half of the hour that we spend in prayer together. It is usually not a large group, but somewhere between 8 -15 pastors have been joining us , which has been mutually encouraging and beneficial.
An email invitation will be routinely sent to our pastors, welcoming their attendance and participation, but here is the ZOOM li nk that can take you into the meeting space: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88508710158?pwd=nPBZvTikYako65umtRQhGXSLeg1QoF.1 Meeting ID: 885 0871 0158 Passcode: 464646 . The time is normally 11:30am Eastern Time, and we’ll let you know if it will be on a different day from the first Thursday of the month.
What’s on the Horizon for Aspiring to Holiness ?
Aspiring to holiness is a pursuit – it should not be thought of as a permanent destination at which you arrive. But just because we continually aspire to holiness does not mean that it is never actually attainable. By the power of the Holy Spirit, others may see that we have come to a place of perfect love. Maybe it would be helpful to think of the pursuit of holiness as the pursuit of humility. If a person were convinced they had arrived at humility, that would most likely be the best indicator that it has still somewhat eluded them.
In our continual pursuit of holiness, we must follow the advice of Hebrews 12:1 -2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith …”
As we think about the greatest hindrances to holiness, two things have risen in the minds of the Superintendents, and they are things that will occupy our planning and work as we move forward in this quadrennium and into the next:
1. We plan to incorporate more conversations and training opportunities to confront specific issues related to addi ctive behaviors, and mental and moral purity . We know that the statistics are staggering regarding how many men are regularly tapping into pornographic imagery. And while we might wish that the numbers are better when it comes to those in ministry, unfortunately, they are not !
There are already plans being laid for training sessions on these sorts of topics in future conferences, both at our General Conference in 2026 and in future Journey meetings. We cannot simply ignore the realities … we must speak into these things so that our ministry corps can find deliverance, healing, and accountability.
Addressing these issues will require a multi-faceted approach centered on grace, accountability, and holistic support. A grace -filled approach can help to avoid simply driving the struggle further underground. We choose to prioritize creating safe spaces for honest confession and genuine healing. This involves equipping leaders with a deeper understanding of addiction, providing access to professional counseling and recovery programs, and implementing restorative policies that allow for repentance and rehabilitation without the automatic threat of career loss.
2. We will be seeking how we can encourage accountability groups among ministers, leaning into existing systems and models such as 3DM, and 5Q, or the further development of our own model that we introduced some years ago … 3C (Connect / Cultivate / Commit).
“3D Movements” uses small group connections called “Huddles” to provide accountability. Huddles are small, intentional groups, typically consisting of 4 -8 individuals who commit to meeting regularly for mutual support, challenge, and growth. This is deeply similar to John Wesley’s use of “Societies,” smaller groups of 10 -12 known as “Class Meetings”, and subsets of 2 -5 persons that he called “Bands.”
5Q is an understanding regarding church leadership that is team -approached regarding the five-fold ministry described in Ephesians 4 :11-12. This is in contrast to the leadership model that is in place in many of our churches, which sees the pastor as the solo leader (the CEO if you will), rather than as a partner serving alongside others with the Holy Spirit as the one true head of the church. A team approach to ministry leadership can enhance accountability and guard against burnout, as well as an over -emphasis on a more dictatorial model that isolates, rather than connects, pastoral leaders.
The Kerusso – July | 2025 Special Vision Edition –
This is the FOURTH installment of the five -part “Vision Edition” of the Kerusso, with each exploring one of our current denominational priorities , which are how we hope to advance our overall organizational mission .
The first page of each weekly edition is a reminder of our primary organizational mission. Page 2 focuses on current achievements, and page 3 looks at future goals regarding Connecting People .
The Evangelical Methodist Church (e stablished 1946 )
Our faith family came into being to hold tightly to things that were being lost in other Christian movements. A clear belief in the inspiration and authenticity of the Bible is of non-negotiable importance. Along with that comes a set of Wesleyan/Arminian theological beliefs expressed in our basic tenets of faith, found in the Constitution of our Discipline
And in ¶131 of the Discipline , we read: “T he purposes of the Evangelical Methodist Church are [summarized] into four very specific goals :”
Worship, Discipleship, Holiness, and Evangelism!
Keeping those goals in mind, we have a current set of organizational priorities to help us achieve them:
The five priorities are expressed through an acronym:
P Planting Churches
E Educating Ministers
A Aspiring to Holiness
C Connecting People
E Equipping Leaders
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Connecting People
In the Methodist church tradition, the concept of connection is not merely admirable and certainly not optional. It is a theological imperative, deeply woven into the very fabric of what it means to be a bona fide follower of Christ . Stemming from John Wesley's emphasis on "connectionalism," it manifests in the interlocking structures of conferences, ministerial collectives, and churches , ensuring that no individual or congregation is isolated. This interconnectedness fosters mutual support, shared resour ces, and collective efforts regarding mission and ministry, extending beyond local boundaries to a global reach.
Profoundly, then, connection within the Evangelical Methodist Church speaks to the spiritual bonds forged through shared faith, worship, and discipleship, nurturing a sense of belonging and accountability that strengthens both individual believers and t he wider body of Christ. It is through these connections that the EMC seeks to embody its commitment to Christlikeness, as well as to promote scriptural holiness at home and across the world . Accordingly, we employ various methods to connect churches, ministers, and our organizational leadership.
1. Superintendents Strive to Connect with Pastors and Local Churches
While the technologically empowered world we live in affords us the opportunity for audio/visual connectedness (and we do indeed leverage that technology), we do place an extremely high value on face-to-face connection between Superintendents and the folks that we are called to serve. Each Superintendent is provided with a travel budget and a commission to be present in our local churches when possible, and to develop a true pastoral relationship with each credential holder, pastor, and local church. Our Conference Superintendents deeply treasure that privilege and calling and work hard to maintain it. On average, they spend 35% - 45% of their time away from home to make that happen.
2. Annual Regional Meetings – our “Journey” Sessions
We not only want a solid connection between ministers and superintendents , but we also plan regional gatherings in the years apart from General Conference so that most of our ministers and members can reasonably drive to a central meeting place for connection and encouragement from their peers across the EMC. These gatherings are required f or ministers, so we strive to make them interesting, affordable, and uplifting. Through a variety of modest changes and incentives, we have seen an increase in attendance of over 25% during the last 6 years.
3. We Strive to Improve and Maintain Connection through Routine Communication
Our written communication via our monthly “Kerusso” newsletter and weekly “Tuesday Brief” is not the same level of connection as two-way interaction, of course, but they do help us keep our credential holders armed with knowledge and in the loop of what is happening in the EMC domestically and around the world. The Tuesday Brief was added to our communication plan following feedback from our pastors at our 2023 Journey meetings, and through the attention and work of a dedicated volunteer, we have improved our Facebook presence dramatically.
4. We’ve Created a Pastor’s Message Board in our Church Center Interface
Our headquarters organizational software is Planning Center Online (PCO), and it helps us stay connected as we use it to maintain an email and USPS address database. Some of our local churches use PCO in their admin offices, and know about its uses and benefits, among which is a user interface that gives individuals the ability to connect … it is called Church Center. One of our pastors asked if we could create a way for pastors to post questions or share information with each other. We found that Church Center provided just such an opportunity, so we created a peer-to-peer message board. Any EMC pastor can request inclusion in this message board group. Call the office or send me (Max Edwards) an email, and we’ll add you to it
Th ese are things we’re doing to enhance connection … turn to page 3 to read about what we are planning.
What’s on the Horizon for Connecting People?
We face a true paradox in our time regarding human connection. It seems certain that two realities are colliding. On the one hand, we are the beneficiaries of a continual increase in technology, which provides new methods of communication and new ways to stay connected. But on the other hand, people feel more isolated than ever before. How is this possible?
The evidence is pleading the case that nothing truly replaces face-to-face human interaction. We need one another!
In our increasingly technologically advanced world, the challenge of maintaining genuine person-to- person connections has become a real concern. Yes, digital platforms offer unique avenues for long-distance communication, but they don’t provide the same feel … the warm human touch . Neither the constant hum of text and IM notifications, nor the bounty of social media posts feeds our need for emotional interaction. As odd as it may seem, we need the messy, and sometimes jagged presence of other s looking into our eyes and sharing feelings that build deep relationships.
This may be one of our biggest challenges as we look ahead. We will need to muster real intentionality, as we balance the undeniable benefits of technology with the irreplaceable richness of authentic human presence and the vital connections it fosters. We will trust the Holy Spirit to guide us in forging this balance. It will be especially difficult for us in the EMC, given our particular geography, being spread from Washington to Georgia, and Southern California to Upstate New York.
Walking forward into this challenging tension, we are currently focused on two strategic targets:
1. 2026 Missional Priorities Gathering
At the outset of the 2018 -2022 Quadrennium, we assembled a gathering of pastors at our headquarters to pray, listen to one another and the Holy Spirit, and break bread together. It was a deeply informative and unifying assembly, and it helped us set the course for the coming four years. It was a powerful gathering of some amazing EMC leaders , and it helped set us on a more positive and cooperative course
We believe it would be a powerful start to the 2026 -2030 Quadrennium to gather again in the same way. That decision will ultimately be up to those elected to serve at the 33rd General Conference in July of 2026, but a summit meeting of a cross-section of our pastors and leaders would be a significant help to set the tone for the future, and to work together on brainstorming the best strategies to enhance our overall connectedness as a faith movement.
2. We Plan to Encourage More Regional Gatherings of Pastors for Fellowship and Prayer
Even in this fast-paced digital world, I believe that we sometimes discover that the best way to work out a problem is to approach it from a slower, more human approach. Many people believe, for instance, that the most effective and most desirable customer service companies, or divisions of companies, are those that place people over technology, and individualized care responses over speed and volume.
Some of our closer clusters of churches and pastors are revitalizing that kind of personal touch by carving out the time to gather for a meal, and/or prayer time together. The Conference Superintendents are planning to lean into promoting these gatherings for those within a few hours driving distance of one another. You’ll be hearing more about this for sure.
The Kerusso – July | 2025 Special
This is the FIFTH installment of the five -part “ Vision Edition ” of the Kerusso, with each exploring one of our current denominational priorities , which are how we hope to advance our overall organizational mission .
The first page of each weekly edition is a reminder of our primary organizational mission. Page 2 focuses on current achievements, and page 3 looks at future goals regarding Equipping Leaders.
The Mission of the EMC
Promoting Worship! Our first calling is to worship God in spirit and truth. The adoration of the one true God is our highest calling and greatest privilege .
Fostering Discipleship ! We are called to a lifelong journey of learning and growing in Christ. We strive to nurture others in the faith and in the truth of Christ’s teachings.
Modeling Holiness! We must always strive to live a life set apart for God , reflecting His character to the world. We are to demonstrate holiness of heart and life.
Inspiring Evangelism! We are to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don't know Him through personal and corporate missions efforts, inviting people into a relationship with God, and into a safe and loving community.
Evangelical Methodist Churc hes across the country have united together , sharing a commitment to these core values as well as a spiritual burden for their communities.
Whether it is at Kingdom EMC in Westover, West Virginia, in the Monongahela River basin …
Or at Estella Community Church in south Central Arizona …
… the Evangelical Methodist Church has a sold -out commitment to loving God, loving people, respecting the authority of the Scripture, and making disciples who will, in turn, make disciples.
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Equipping Leaders
The last letter in the PEACE acronym represents “Equipping Leaders.” While this is the last of the five present denominational priorities, it doesn’t come last in terms of urgency. The need for equipping Christian leaders for the tasks and responsibil ities ahead is dire and cannot be overstated . If we hope for the Church to continue to flourish and to fulfill its mission in a rapidly changing world, we must remain vigilant in this regard. Pastors and church leaders of today and tomorrow face complex challenges, from navigating cultural shifts and technological advancements to ministering in a volatile political and social climate. They need sharpened skills to minister to diverse congregations, all in the middle of a darkening spiritual landscape . Without proper theological grounding, practical ministry skills, and a deep understanding of contemporary issues, they risk being ill-prepared to effectively lead, teach, and disciple. Investing in their development ensures the Church remains a relevant an d transformative force, capable of articulating the Gospel compellingly and embodying Christ's love in action for generations to come
1. Our Use of Internal Speakers at Journey Meetings
One small way that we seek to equip leaders is through the use of our own EMC pastors and leaders to be plenary speakers at o ur Journey sessions. Since 2022, we have used 34 different EMC’ers as speakers, not including the Superintendents. This has served to equip the speakers as they prepared to be presenters, but it also inspires and equips the listeners as they hear their peers speak on topics such as worship, identity, spiritual development, theology, and self -care .
2. An Array of Developmental Resources Stands Ready to be Used
The General Board of Christian Education (GBCE) exists to promote, develop, and encourage learning in all areas of life, evaluating existing models and developing new ones that will facilitate the transformation of people and the way they live in everyday life as they seek to follow God and His teachings and live according to the Word of God.
They have assembled a wonderful cache of material for Christian leaders and local churches that includes a resource library, a consolidation of training workshops, an updated version of the EMC Catechism, and a platform from which you can access the collective wisdom of many EMC pastors. You can find this repository online by CLICKING HERE .
3. Resurgence of Short -term Missions Trips
Through the renewed efforts of the Board of World Missions and Revs. Bill and Lisa Walker, many young aspiring leaders are being challenged and equipped through participation in short - term missions trips to one or more of our Global Conference partners. You can find out more about what is happening with EMC Missions at either their YouTube channel, “ The Thread”, or by reading their “ In The Know ” articles posted by the Walkers on our EMC website.
4. EMC Youth Camps
There isn’t enough ink or space to write about the great things that are happening in the EMC at our camps. In the Southwest, camp was postponed due to fire danger but will be held October 6 -11. The theme will be “Faith and Strength to Endure. ” Mid-states camp was a huge succes s, with 166 campers and adults in attendance Several answered the call to salvation, as well as calls to growth, ministry, and sanctification . At Indian Cave Youth Camp (ICYC), nearly 350 youth and adults gathered for Kids Camp and Youth Camp. A challenge was given to “answer the call” to salvation, holiness , and service for the Lord. It was powerful and humbling to see the altars filled each night with young people seeking the Lord, finding healing and hope, and release from bondage. 31 students of varying ages said “YES” to a clear ministry call at ICYC this year.
5. The EMC Youth Leadership (YLI) Initiative
This program seeks students with leadership potential who express a call to vocational or volunteer ministry . This initiative looks to invest in these future leaders , having three primary goals :
1. To connect participating students in a communication cooperative for encouragement and accountability
2. To include YLI students in decision-making for denominational youth priorities and for camps and other events
3. To encourage YLI students to serve in their local church , as well as at denominational gatherings
What’s on the Horizon for Equipping Leaders ?
As you just read, there are many ways in which we are striving to empower the next generation of leaders, but the reality is this –the need for godly leaders in the EMC is ever growing. We are finding that our efforts to raise up and train new pacesetters and trailblazers is never enough. That is partially true because the church of Jesus Christ is an organism that is on the move … i t is not standing still. And staffing it is a continuous journey of development, not a destination at which we one day arrive
Vigilance, therefore, and creative pursuit become essential . In our efforts to equip and empower leaders, we need to both think critically about current needs and opportunities, as well as the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
Even when what we are doing seems to be working, there are always deeper insights to uncover, skills to refine, and perspectives to broaden, ensuring that what we are doing remains a dynamic process rather than a finite achievement.
We have identified 3 things that we hope to move toward regarding equipping leaders :
1. The Promotion of Sabbaticals for Longer-Term Pastors in Our Local Churches
Some of our churches do have a plan to see that their long -term pastors take a sabbatical rest away from ministry. There is no standard length of service at which a sabbatical is warranted. Opinions vary widely, but when a senior pastor has served 7 -10 years or more, churches should be moving in that direction in their thinking. We will be promoting this idea more and more.
The many demands of ministry including sermon prep aration, counseling, administrati on, and being on call 24/7 can lead to deep spiritual, emotional, and physical exhaustion, often termed burnout. A sabbatical provides an extended period to intentionally disengage from these pressures, allowing for unhurried time for personal spiritual disc iplines like prayer and in-depth scripture study, enabling a reconnection with God that might be difficult amidst daily pastoral duties. A dedicated time away also allows pastors to prioritize their families and gain needed mental and spiritual clarity without the constant pull of church responsibilities The reality is that the church will benefit from a healthier pastor , and a more vibrant return to the pulpit.
2. Establishing Peer-to-Peer Mentorships
As a matter of practice in the EMC, a first -time pastor is assigned a counseling elder for their first year of ministry. We are working on an idea that would expand that concept to link pastors together for ongoing coaching and encouragement. A close -knit relationship like that would provide a safe space for vulnerable sharing, prayer, and accountability . That continuing connection would cultivate a culture of mutual support and shared learning across different generations . Ultimately, this will strength the denomination's collective witness and its ability to equip ministers for service in the church and in the world.
3. Raising Awareness of the Need for Intentional Self-Care and Emotional Wellness
Emotional and mental health is a subject that has too long been in the shadows. We have to change that perception. A few specific EMC Churches have created internal and/or external programs that address mental health holistically. They are providing a place for caring counseling and both individual and group support.
Kingdom EMC is one of those places. We are going to be in a conversation with Pastor Kevin Cain at Kingdom to see what we can learn from what they are doing, and how we can either help other churches duplicate it, or how what they are doing in Westover, WV, might be accessible by other EMC churches in the surrounding area. In any case, we will be talking more about emotional and mental well -being.