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'God calls us to faith': A conversation with a church planter

BY MELISSA LAUBER
UMCONNECTION STAFF

"Sixteen years of ministry has taught me a lot. You can't get ahead of God and you can't get behind God," said the Rev. Stan Cardwell.

But recently, Cardwell entered a new ministry at Bel Air UMC in Harford County that has no road map. "God said ‘go and when you get there, I'll let you know,'" Cardwell explained. He's having to learn to be, and to do, church in entirely new ways.

This new ministry is still vague. The congregation of Bel Air has committed itself to starting an off-site ministry, reaching out in Christ's name to people in nearby Abingdon. Cardwell will be leading these efforts.

He said it's their mission to engage unchurched people and establish a new faith community. In trying to reach those with no church memory, or those who have been burned by the church in the past, they'll have to let the culture shape what they create.

"To even call it a church may be wrong," Cardwell said. "The best thing might be to keep remaining homeless."

An 11-member core team is in ministry with Cardwell. In the weeks and months ahead they'll be acting like missionaries, having conversations with people in Abingdon, being relational, building trust and seeing where needs are.

"We hope to see what people's hopes and dreams are and how we can intersect with their needs," Cardwell said. "In a sense, we're rewinding the clock to what John Wesley (the founder of Methodism) was about. This is a movement inside and outside of the church."

Planting, or giving birth, to a new faith community is definitely a leap of faith. "The risk is to the mother," Cardwell said. "This is a dangerous time. Bel Air is in the midst of a struggle to give birth and that's risky. But it's what God calls us to be about - to be faithful and multiply. We Methodists are good at church planting. It's in our DNA."

It's also a risk for him. In his previous 16 years of ministry, he climbed a clergy career ladder, serving as a senior pastor in successful churches. Taking this position as an associate pastor with an unquantifiable ministry can sometimes feel risky.

"I've spent 16 years immersed inside the church. I have to relearn what's outside the church. That's the adventure part. I have to connect people to Christ yet disconnect from church culture and relate to people without all the theology."

But Cardwell feels called. He is "wired to be a church planter, an apostle," as he says.

"For me, this is the grand experiment - to walk with the Spirit, to be nudged," he said. God's work will show up in the most amazing places, in ways that aren't expected."

For others interested in church planting and reaching out to the unchurched in new ways, Cardwell recommends prayer and being open to allow God to work in one's heart.

"Many churches are locked up in their models," he said. "They're not sure how to break through. They just need to try new ways of doing things. People are hungry to try something new. We've just got to release people."

He doesn't mean to preach, but Cardwell is certain that "God calls us to faith. We need to trust God and be stepping out into places we haven't yet seen."

Yes, Cardwell admits, it is risky. "But Jesus took a risk for us," he said. "I want to be like him. I want to incarnate. I want his Holy Spirit to dwell in me so that people see the true Christ in me.

"We have 2,000 years of church history to overcome. We need to change people's perceptions. We have the Good News. It's wonderful news. It's amazing to me that it's not spreading like wild fire."

Step out on a bold adventure

By Evan Young

A friend of mine many years ago introduced me to white water rafting. When he first mentioned the idea to me, I will admit I thought he was delusional.

The fact is I was afraid of doing something so unheard of in my circles. I understood large bodies of water were something to be respected and not for thrill seeking activities; that would be not respecting the power of water.

However, one day I agreed to go with my friend and others white water rafting in West Virginia. When I saw white water for the first time I almost changed my mind about going through with this new adventure. But after hours of coaxing, everyone finally talked me into embracing the adventure that was before me. They challenged me to be audacious.

How often do we find it difficult to be audacious in our discipleship, as I found it uncomfortable to be audacious in this

circumstance? We play it safe. We want to remain in familiar, comfortable and protected settings. Stretching our horizon is not on our radar. So we go about mindlessly pursuing a discipleship adventure in the tame places of our structured lives.

Peter chose not to play it safe when he saw Jesus walking on the water. He requested to experience a miracle of Jesus' deliverance.

The others in the boat chose to play it safe. "Don't rock the boat" was their mantra. However, they missed out on the opportunity to do what Peter did - walk out on the water and be the one that others would remember.

Our Discipleship Adventure challenges each of us to get actively involved and out of our boats of comfort. We can experience the miracles of Jesus as we celebrate in worship, connect with others, develop our faith, serve our neighbors and share our faith. We don't have to stop where all is comfortable; audaciously, we can press the envelope and create a unique expression for a new day.

In this adventure be a leader, take responsibility for your growth and development, act and get involved.

The Acts 2 church had never done it that way before. They were explorers in a new age. Can't we explore the uncharted frontiers of our communities, neighborhoods, and world, creating new opportunities for the spirit to manifest itself among us? It is all about attitude, our willingness to risk and our ability to trust God.

Are you ready for a true Discipleship Adventure?

If so, then just do it.

The Rev. Evan Young is a Guide and Assistant to the bishop.

The Adventure Devotional

The Devotional Guide is a pocket-size book that immerses its readers each day in the spirit of the Discipleship Adventure.

Ideal for small groups, families, and church meetings, the book provides a Scripture reading, a pondering question that can lead to lively and meaningful discussion and a prayer.

Many churches buy several copies of the book and distribute them to church leaders, to that each person involved in shaping the life of the church is sharing a common grounding in God's Word. Small groups and administrative councils have also reported that the Devotional Guide provides an ideal way to open meetings and focus on holy conferencing.

Each of the daily entries, which begin Sept. 1, was written by clergy members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. September's writings, on the Gospel of Mark, were provided by Bishop John R. Schol.

Don't lose an opportunity to purchase them. Prices are $4.50 for 1-50 devotionals and $4 for orders of 51 or more. Orders may be picked up at the Conference Center or mailed. Mail orders are subject to additional shipping and handling fees. For more information and to order, contact Christine Kumar at .

The Discipleship Academy

God created you for spiritual greatness. The Academy will provide you with tools and teachings that will enable you to discover how to faithfully live out your potential.

Do you dare to grow?

Is God calling you to be more spiritually creative, are you being called to help equip your church for growth?

The Discipleship Academy will provide you with opportunities beginning this fall.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding and broader insights into themselves, their congregations and the communities in which they serve.

Each course will include practical, exper-iential learning with input from various religious and cultural resources.

The first semesters begins Sept. 27 in all four regions. The six-week courses, which cost $35, include:

Challenges for the church

Today's church faces many challenges when thinking about developing an Acts 2 church. These challenges are often unique to the

community the church finds itself in - urban, suburban, or rural. This class will help leaders face those challenges in bold and creative ways.

Stewardship

"How do we get more money for our church?" This is the question most people think about when they think of stewardship. Come and learn how stewardship is more than simply thinking about the church budget.

Spiritual leadership

The church needs leaders who can lead from the heart as well as the head. Learn what it means to be a leader that is spiritual as well as entrepreneurial to make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Certified lay minister

Lay leadership is finding its place as the

center of building ministerial teams in our small and large churches of today. This course will elevate spiritual awareness and give opportunity to enhance continual growth in pastor/laity relationships that will enrich the life of the local church.

Christian formation

Coming from the understanding that transforming discipleship happens from the inside out, this course will focus on experiencing, practicing, reflecting, and discerning next steps on the discipleship path. Discover

spiritual practices that nurture your relationship with God and provide space for inner growth leading to outer change.

Strive for 5

Consistent feedback on the Discipleship Adventure indicates that "Developing in Faith" (learning) and "Sharing the Faith" (evangelism) are the two areas that pastors and congregational leaders would most like to see strengthened in their churches. This course will explore these two areas and the connection between growing in faith and sharing the faith.

The second of five semesters will begin

Feb. 7, 2009, in each region.

For more information and to register, visit www.bwcumc.org/academy.

The Immersion Series

This winter, the Big Conversation begins. How do we increase small group life? How do we grow disciples? How do we re-energize our congregations?

The Immersion Series is an opportunity to participate in a holistic, fully integrated program of sermons, small group study guides, Sunday school curriculum for children and youth, personal devotionals, and mission opportunities.

Your entire congregation will embark on a common journey that can transform individuals and communities.

The series, which will center around Wesley's "Three Simple Rules" will be available for churches to being on April 19, 2009, the first Sunday after Easter.

Churches will want to reserve space in their church's calendar during the Easter

season for this creative new program designed to:

• Increase small group life
• Revitalize individual faith
• Reach new disciples
• Grow worship
• Focus congregationwide on the church's mission and purpose

The content has been developed by young adult clergy members in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

Led by the Revs. Jennifer Smith and Melissa Rudolph, this multi-faceted resource promises to deliver new light, life and perspective.

To guarantee excellence, the Immersion Series is being tested this fall, by 20 selected churches.

Future Immersion series will explore the best-selling book, "The Practices of Fruitful Congregations," and the Baltimore-Washington Conference's Discipleship Adventure.

April 2009: "Three Simple Rules."

This four-week immersion series is based on Bishop Rueben Job's book. In the book, Job offers an interpretation of John Wesley's general rules. This simple but challenging look at three commands, "do no harm, do good, stay in love with God," calls us to mutual respect, unity and a deeper relationship with God.

The small group series will engage congregations in worship, relationship building and service.

For more information on the Immersion Series or to sign up, contact Christine Kumar at .