It’s not a secret that I’m a United Methodist Pastor, as well as a liturgy nerd. It’s also not a secret, if you read the news, that the UMC is going through a season of transition … Which, honestly, might be our brand. Sprit-led (hopefully) transition, from one place to another.

I like to believe that the process of sanctification is not limited to individuals, but churches as well, as sacramental communities committed to growing in holiness.

Growing in holiness leads to change, by nature, if we’re committed. And it is hard.

Currently, I get to serve as pastor to the Connections Community of First United Methodist Church of Paris, TX. A diverse and dynamic community who seeks to connect with God, one another, and our neighbors … and where everyone can belong. Connections, in her 13 years as the second campus of FUMC, has consistently reached new people for Jesus in Lamar County (and even across the border into Oklahoma), and as such has brought in a lot of people who are new to the United Methodist Connection.

Considering deeply what the global body of the UMC has been going through, my senior pastor and our family ministries pastor constructed a worship series called Methodism 101: Finding the Future in the Fundamentals. Our purpose in this teaching series is to teach what we love the most about our inherited faith as Wesleyans, our shared history, tradition, and doctrine. Personally, I was inspired by a small group curriculum published by amazing colleagues in the North Texas Conference called Wesleyan Roots, but we sought to simplify things a bit here in Paris, drilling down to six topics that we could explore in worship, and then do deeper dives into for our weekly Pastors Bible Study:

• Baptism

• The Way of Salvation

• Personal and Social Holiness

• Connectionalism

• The Wesleyan Quadrilateral

• Holy Conferencing

Here is a link to the scopes for our series, with topics, scripture references, and notes for sermons. It’s not refined, as it’s for our in-church communication, but I pray that it’s helpful for other churches out there in our connection, or at least a jumping off point for YOU to teach about what’s most important to you as a United Methodist.

In 2023, as we in the UMC move closer to our next General Conference in 2024, I believe it’s time to look at our fundamentals as Christians and Wesleyans in order to get ready for what the Holy Spirit will bring us if we can keep the faith and stay the course. We’re four weeks into this series at this point. and it’s been incredible for my community to look outward to the greater Body of Christ before we turn to the inward journey during the Season of Lent.

As always, if this series is a blessing to you, leave a comment, or drop me an email at theliturgynerd@gmail.com. I’m grateful to share!

In Christ,

Jarrod J.