Featured at www.kswestumc.org:

Common traits bind transformed congregations
A research project commissioned by four agencies of the United Methodist Church is unearthing the reasons why some congregations are able to successfully transform and reverse trending declines.

“The Call to Action and Vital Congregations tell us what a healthy, vital congregation looks like. Our goal is to figure out what helps congregations to change,” said Kim Shockley, an independent researcher who was commissioned to do the 18-month study.

Read more at www.kswestumc.org/news/detail/946.

New Parish Papers posted
New issues of The Parish Paper have been posted:

• March 2012: “What type of future are we building?”
• April 2012: “How is your congregation's health?”

Issues of The Parish Paper are available from the e-newsletter archive at www.kswestumc.org/enewsletterarchives.

Classified ads online
Classified ads are posted on the conference website, including:

• Resident life director, K-State Wesley campus ministry

See all the current classifieds at www.kswestumc.org/classifieds.

Featured at other sites:

Self-care workshop offered online in February and March
The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is underwriting free workshops for Kansas United Methodist clergy, clergy spouses and church staff in an online format. The Personal and Professional Self-Care Workshop provides a structured opportunity to examine current mental, physical, social and spiritual health choices and to develop personalized plans to improve overall health.

Pre-registration is required for the free workshop. Get the details at www.healthfund.org/selfcare.php.

Healthy Congregations Covenant program deadline is March 1
The Healthy Congregations Covenant program provides training, funding and other resources to support health ministry programs in Kansas United Methodist churches. The program offers two participation options, including $100 or $1,000 awards, to fit churches at different stages of health ministry development and commitment.
Healthy Congregation reports and/or plans due under covenant agreements must be submitted by March 1 for funding to be awarded.

Get more information at www.healthfund.org/hcc/main/about.php.

Deadline for 2012 UM scholarship programs is March 1
United Methodist student scholarship applications and supporting documents are due March 1. All references, transcripts and award notifications will now be paperless and completely electronic.

Get the details at www.gbhem.org/site/c.lsKSL3POLvF/b.3842007/k.6E59/Scholarship_Applications.htm.

Bishops respond to sexual misconduct suit against pastor
A young pastor in the United Methodist Church’s North Texas Conference has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct by Rev. Tyrone Gordon, who recently resigned as pastor of St. Luke “Community” UMC in Dallas.

Gordon came to St. Luke from Saint Mark UMC in Wichita, which grew rapidly in his 14 years there.

“The United Methodist Church has high moral standards for its clergy, and we do not tolerate the kind of behavior being alleged here,” said Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones.

Read more at www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=8588.

Will restructuring cut vital ministry?
Plans to restructure The United Methodist Church’s 13 general agencies could imperil ministries that local congregations need and value, say agency executives. The members of the United Methodist General Secretaries Table recently released a statement to respond to proposals that would consolidate agencies, shrink their governing boards and potentially slash their funding. The General Secretaries Table consists of the chief executives of the 13 general agencies.

Find out more at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=11611891&tr=y&auid=10220704.

If a live link in this newsletter does not work correctly, you can copy and paste the URL—or Internet address—directly into an Internet browser window.