AN District News......UMC Buzz....July 27, 2023
Level Up:
A piece at a time masterclass in leadership
Certified Lay Minister Application Deadline Extended to Sept. 30, 2023
Rev. Jack Shitama, director of the conferences' Center for Vital Leadership, helps leaders grow. In these short videos, church leaders will discover some of the best and most influential principles in today’s secular writing about leadership. Learn, step-by-step, from the masters, to transform yourself and the world.
Lesson 1: What’s the Difference between Leadership and Management?
Managers organize the church, leaders align the work of the church with its mission. Explore the differences between leadership and management and why that distinction is so important.
Lesson 2: Vision is Crucial to Leadership
What is God’s vision for your church? Seeking and sharing a compelling vision is one of the most important tasks of a leader.
Lesson 3: You Can’t Lead without Trust
Trust may be the most essential ingredient in leadership. Explore why.
Lesson 4: The Power of Vulnerability
Why is vulnerability an essential trait of leaders? Learn more as you explore the vital task of choosing between adventure and safety.
Lesson 5: Finite and Infinite Games: Which One Are You Playing?
Do you play for the sake of the game or to win? Learn more about the idea of finite and infinite games and how it can shape your next move.
Lesson 6: What Is a Level 5 Leader?
What differentiates a good leader from a great leader? Learn how Level 5 leaders set themselves up for greatness.
Lesson 7: Why Church Leaders Need a Growth Mindset
Are your skills and abilities limited or do you embrace a mindset of constant improvement and possibilities? Learn more about claiming a growth mindset.
Lesson 8: 5 Ways Church Leaders Can Develop Grit
Combine passion with perseverance and you’ll get “grit,” a quality that can be more important to leaders than intelligence or talent.
Lesson 9: Why Church Leaders Need to Think Big and Act Small
It’s easy for leaders to feel overwhelmed. The antidote? Think big, act small. It can change everything.
Lesson 10: To Lead Change You Need to Understand the Fundamental Attribution Error
Assessing the true cause of problems and whether the fault lies with the person or the situation is an important lesson in leadership and life.
Lesson 11: Three Time Management Principles that Changed My Life
Time is of the essence. These three principles offer wisdom into making the most of your time and accomplishing your most important things.
A new Level Up video lesson appears each Monday in the e-connection.
Other News
The Baltimore-Washington Conference Lay Servant Ministries program is still accepting applications for the 2023-2025 cohort of Certified Lay Ministers. Because we have not yet reached the class minimum of 5 participants, we are extending the deadline for applying from July 1 to Sept. 30, 2023. We currently have four applicants; if we receive a total of 5 or more, the first classes will begin in October. If not, we will postpone forming a new cohort until 2024.
If you or someone you know has been interested in or has heard the call of God to serve as a Certified Lay Minister, please encourage that person to talk with their pastor and complete and submit the application packet. It can be found at https://b65de766771c0b853a36-be165dca3b4cdda77f8dc2ad6b17900c.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/uploaded/c/0e13723742_1644269772_clmapplicantpack-final-1-24-22docx.pdf . Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries, at or to the District Directors of Lay Servant Ministries listed on the Conference website.
It is our prayer that God will lead more lay persons to pursue this important ministry in our Conference. More information the CLM can be found at https://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/leadership-development/laity-development/
Church Conference 2023
Church conference forms for 2023 season are now available. The schedule will be shared with you after July 12, we want to give clergy time to confirm the date assigned works for the church.
Do you have church related news, events or job vacancies to share with the District? Please email
and include a short blurb with deadlines and links.
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SUMMER HOURS AND VACATION
Mission Center and District Office
The BWC Mission Center will be closed every Friday through September 1.
Vacation
Willine will be on vacation—August 2nd and return August 9th. Please contact Olivia Gross (
/410-309-3443) for assistance in my absence.
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DISTRICT NEWS & EVENTS
dMap Resources
Visit the MissionInsite resource webpage at bwcumc.org/resources/missioninsite/
• Playback the MissionInsite Overview webinar held on September 27, 2022
• Access the Excel spreadsheet template to use for uploading people in your congregation
• View a tutorial about uploading people in MissionInsite
• Check-out a series of webinars on MissionInsite
• Contact the Central Maryland District's MissionInsite Analyst, Susan Moody with questions --
and 202-215-0752 (mobile)
July 31—Application Deadlines for Clergy Living Well Retreats
The initial Alpha retreats will be at:
• Camp Pecometh in Centreville - Aug. 22-24 (register -- https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=4397&event=6345)
• Camp Manidokan in Knoxville - Sept. 26-28 (register -- https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=4397&event=6344)
• Ocean City Courtyard Hotel - Oct. 24-26 (register -- https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=4397&event=6346)
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OTHER NEWS
Church Planter's Discernment Academy
This 9-Week Discernment Academy is designed to help participants discover their leadership style, strengths and weaknesses, intercultural competency and learning style, and then to incorporate those discoveries into their leadership practices in a Post-Christendom context. Participants will also learn more about our fear of innovation, the kinds of new things that can be started within or outside of an existing appointment, the importance of guesting and hosting, and how to gather and equip the right team for the right ministry setting. The 9-Week Virtual Academy begins Oct. 9th, 7-9:30pm and ends the week of December 4th. Each class will last approximately 75-90 minutes. This academy is designed to inspire, evaluate, and equip clergy and laity to innovate and start new things. Register and get additional information.
The BWC’s 2023 Immigration Border Immersion
This is a transformative experience open to clergy and lay people, especially young adults, seeking to learn more about migration. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to God through the voice of the immigrant and be part of the change as they implement and take action in their local communities. The trip to San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, is Oct. 19 to 23. The cost, which includes airfare, is $860. To learn more about scholarships that are available to young adults, contact Emma Escobar. Learn more about the trip and register.
Fresh Expressions Academy
Most church leaders tend to ask themselves two questions, one focuses on the past and one focuses on the present. Questions like: “What happened?”, “What led up to this?”, or “Remember when…” all focus on the past. Questions like: “What’s important right now?”, “How do we fix this?” or “What are our current challenges?”, tend to focus on the present. Innovative leaders ask questions focused on the future, without dismissing the past or being rooted in the present. If you’ve been asking the question, “What’s next?”, then this academy may be for you. The Fresh Expressions Academy launches November 4 and lasts for 12 months. It combines presentations, regular coaching, peer-to-peer discussions, immersion experiences, and an online group to help facilitate the cultivation of Fresh Expressions. It is designed to equip clergy and laity to innovate and take risks to engage people who are not yet part of a faith community. Register and learn more.
Read the latest e-Connection to learn what's happening across the Baltimore-Washington Conference or subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter.