Top Ten Reasons to Attend Ministry Training @ Lancaster First UMC

On Monday, January 13, 7:00 pm at our church's Crossroads facility, we will be hosting an annual ministry training orientation. The training is for all of our 2014 church leaders which includes anyone serving on a committee, program area team, or serving in any type of leadership capacity at First UMC.

Here are my top ten reasons for why someone would want to attend this training:

#10 - Each person will receive a FREE, yes, that's right, a FREE leadership ministry folder that will contain everything you need to know about our church for 2014. We'd like to give away free iPads, but these folders will be even better!

#9 - You are being very Wesleyan! John Wesley was always encouraging his key leaders to meet together to review the fundamental questions of who they were as people known as Methodists.

#8 - It will help us to all row in the same direction. By gathering together in one place and at one time to review our common mission, strategy, and vision goals, we will be able to see how each of our ministry areas can contribute to the greater good of the church.

#7 - Cookies! Need I say more? Hint: Come ten minutes ahead of the meeting to get the ones with icing on top.

#6 - Get to know more people in the church. Since we have a large congregation, this helps us to get to know more people. You will also have a little time to meet with your fellow committee/program area members. Common phrases you often hear at meetings like this include "Well, I didn't know you were a member here."

#5 - You will be able to share with your friends specific ways that our church is involved in ministry and outreach in Lancaster and beyond.

#4 - It will be another opportunity to hear Pastor Cheryl's wonderful southern drawl. I've been asking her to say "Y'all" more often in her sermons.

#3 - As an added bonus, Pastor Robert might be able to announce who the new head football coach is at Penn State. And for the record, it won't be me. I am committed to staying at First UMC University.

#2 - We have some really good news to share with everyone about the progress our church has been making. It will be a time for us to celebrate.

#1 - Drum roll, please. The number one reason to attend Monday night's Ministry Training session is because we love Jesus, we love our church, and we want to dedicate ourselves to God for another wonderful year of ministry at First United Methodist Church.