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The 5 Talent Academy welcomes you to: Ministry with the Poor featuring Shane Claiborne

8:30‐9:00 Registration 9:00‐9:10 Welcome 9:10‐10:00 Worship (featuring testimony from Robert Massey) 10:00‐10:10 Break 10:10‐10:55 Session 1: The Irresistible Revolution (Shane Claiborne) 10:55‐11:05 Break 11:05‐11:50 Session 2: Shine (Shane Claiborne) 11:50‐12:00 Ministry with the Poor in the VAUMC (Glenn Rowley) 12:00‐12:40 Lunch 12:40‐1:25 Session 3: Finding Your Calcutta, From Inspiration to Application (Shane Claiborne) 1:25‐2:10 Q/A with Shane Claiborne 2:15‐3:00 Peer Groups

Do you have a question for Shane? Text questions to (540) 300-5260. Or send questions via Twitter using hashtag #5talent. Questions will be collected throughout the day and will be answered (as time allows) during the Q/A after Shane’s final session.

The 5 Talent Academy is a group of like‐minded pastors and laity across the Virginia Conference who are committed to learning the tools and techniques to have healthy, fruitful congregations. As a member of this community, you will learn new ways to increase worship attendance, professions of faith, faith development, ministry to the poor, and stewardship.

There is no cost to your church to join the 5 Talent Academy, just a commitment to grow in fruitfulness and multiplication of ministries centering on worship, mission, discipleship, evangelism and stewardship. The 5 Talent Academy can help you achieve your church goals by giving you access to inspiring leaders, providing a venue to brainstorm concepts with peers, and offering you resources to help your church multiply its God‐given talents. Consider becoming a member of the Academy today. For more information about the 5 Talent Academy, please visit vaumc.org/5Talent Today we will hear a testimony from Mr. Robert Massey Robert Massey has strong personal acquaintance with poverty, ministry, and the power of God working through God's people. Robert has spent most of his adult life living on the streets of DC, in various vehicles, and in residential rehabilitation programs. Robert has also been active in ministry, working with people living on the streets and with youth from all segments of society. Robert has been part of Old Bridge UMC in Woodbridge, has served with Teens Opposing Poverty, and has been and is part of Evergreen UMC in Leesburg. His unique testimony isn't finished, but he's willing to share what God has done in and through him so far. And he hopes it will inspire and encourage you to be in ministry with the poor, for God's glory.

Today’s keynote speaker is Shane Claiborne Shane Claiborne graduated from Eastern University and did graduate work at Princeton Seminary. In 2010, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Eastern. His adventures have taken him from the streets of Calcutta where he worked with Mother Teresa to the wealthy suburbs of Chicago where he served at the influential mega‐church Willow Creek. As a peacemaker, his journeys have taken him to some of the most troubled regions of the world – from Rwanda to the West Bank – and he’s been on peace delegations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Shane is a founder and board member of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped birth and connect radical faith communities around the world. He is married to Katie Jo, a North Carolina girl who also fell in love with the city (and with Shane). They were wed in St. Edwards church, the formerly abandoned cathedral into which homeless families relocated in 1995, launching the beginning of the Simple Way community and a new phase of faith‐based justice making. Shane writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus. Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, Common Prayer, Follow Me to Freedom, Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers – and his classic The Irresistible Revolution. He has been featured in a number of films including “Another World Is Possible” and “Ordinary Radicals.” His books are translated into more than a dozen languages. Shane speaks over 100 times a year, nationally and internationally. His work has appeared in Esquire, SPIN, Christianity Today, and The Wall Street Journal, and he has been on everything from Fox News and Al Jazeera to CNN and NPR. He’s given academic lectures at Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Liberty, Duke, and Notre Dame. Shane speaks regularly at denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe. Follow him online at: Facebook: ShaneClaiborne http://www.thesimpleway.org/ Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne http://www.redletterchristians.org/shane/ Glenn Rowley, Director of Justice and Missional Excellence for the Virginia Conference As Director of Justice and Missional Excellence for the Virginia Conference, the Rev. Glenn Rowley coordinates and resources the work of two conference boards; the Board of Global Ministries and the Board of Church and Society. Glenn is an ordained elder from the Oklahoma Annual Conference and served for over 24 years as a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) of the United Methodist Church. Prior to his service with GBGM, Glenn worked at Bread for the World in Washington, D.C., and served churches in the Oklahoma Annual Conference. He served as Executive Secretary for Missionary Training with GBGM prior to coming to Virginia in July 2010. Glenn and his wife, Darla, had the unique opportunity of working in diverse mission settings in Mozambique, Senegal and Mexico. He taught at Ricatla Ecumenical Seminary in Maputo, Mozambique. In Senegal, Glenn and his wife, Darla, worked in community development with Muslim young adults in a community in Dakar and helped establish the United Methodist Church in that country as a part of the Senegal Initiative of the GBGM. Assigned to Madero University in Puebla, Mexico, Glenn worked as a counselor and taught ethics at the university. Glenn said he feels he has had a unique opportunity in his life to be in mission with persons from around the world and here in the United States as we all work to discover God’s vocational call to compassionate service across cultures, ethnic groups and economies. Glenn and his wife, Darla, have three children and two granddaughters. GlennRowley@vaumc.org (804) 521‐1100 ext. 143 http://vaumc.org/Mission

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Ministry with the Poor: Order of Worship

Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements – Mark Miller & Brad McMullen Congregational Song – Lay Me Down Greeting and Prayer from Bishop Cho Congregational Song – In Christ Alone Testimony – Robert Massey Congregational Song – 10,000 Reasons Benediction and Release Congregational Song – Lay Me Down by Jason Ingram, Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, and Chris Tomlin © 2012 sixsteps Music, worshiptogether.com songs, Vamos Music, Said And Done Music, Thankyou Music, SHOUT! Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing, West Main Music, and Windsor Hill Music CCLI Song # 6223577 -- CCLI License # 355462

VERSE 1 With this heart open wide From the depths, from the heights I will bring a sacrifice With these hands lifted high Hear my song, hear my cry I will bring a sacrifice I will bring a sacrifice CHORUS I lay me down, I'm not my own I belong to You alone Lay me down, lay me down Hand on my heart this much is true There's no life apart from You Lay me down, lay me down

VERSE 2 Letting go of my pride Giving up all my rights Take this life and let it shine Take this life and let it shine BRIDGE It will be my joy to say Your will Your way It will be my joy to say Your will Your way It will be my joy to say Your will, Your way, always

Congregational Song – In Christ Alone by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend © 2001 Thankyou Music CCLI Song # 3350395 -- CCLI License # 355462

VERSE 1 In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light my strength my song This Cornerstone, this solid Ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love , what depths of peace When fears are stilled when strivings cease! My Comforter my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa VERSE 2 There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa

VERSE 3 No guilt in life no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I'll stand Whoa Whoa In Christ Alone Whoa BRIDGE I find my strength I find my hope I find my help in Christ alone When fear ascends when darkness falls I find my peace in Christ alone I give my life I give my all I sing this song to Christ alone The King of kings the Lord of all, all heaven sings to Christ alone To Christ alone In Christ alone Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I'll stand Here in the power of Christ we stand

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Congregational Song – 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman © 2011 Thankyou Music, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, and SHOUT! Publishing CCLI Song # 6016351 -- CCLI License # 355462

CHORUS 1: Bless the Lord, O my soul Oh my soul Worship His holy name Sing like never before 0h my soul I'll worship Your holy name VERSE 1: The sun comes up, It's a new day dawning It's time to sing Your song again Whatever may pass, And whatever lies before me Let me be singing When the evening comes VERSE 2: You're rich in love, And You're slow to anger Your name is great, And Your heart is kind For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons For my heart to find

VERSE 3: And on that day When my strength is failing The end draws near, And my time has come Still my soul will sing Your praise unending Ten thousand years And then forevermore CHORUS 2: Bless the Lord, Oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His holy name Sing like never before 0h my soul I'll worship Your holy name I'll worship Your holy name I'll worship Your holy name

Vital Congregations goal: Disciples engage in mission – Participation in service and outreach

5 Talent Academy – Ministry with the Poor: February 21, 2015

As you respond to today’s event, you may use this worksheet to spark conversation about how your church can become more faithful and fruitful in your evangelism and communication.

What are your takeaways from our time of worship and Robert Massey’s message?

Reflecting on Shane Claiborne’s Ideas:

1. When you hear the word "Christian" -- what are some of the things you think of? What do you hope people will say a generation from now when they hear the word "Christian"?

2. Shane talks about "reading the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other" -- meaning our faith should connect to the world around us. What are some of the most important needs facing our world that you think Christians should be addressing?

3. Shane worked with Mother Teresa, and often talks about many of his "heroes and sheroes" of faith. Who is someone you admire for the way they have lived out their faith – (they can be dead or alive, famous or infamous).

4. When we think of Christianity not just as a set of ideas, but as a way of living in the world -- what are some of the distinctive marks and characteristics of lifestyle Christianity? What does it look like to be Christian today?

Vital Congregations goal: Disciples engage in mission – Participation in service and outreach

5. As we imagine God's Kingdom coming "on earth as it is in heaven" -- what does that look like? What would your neighborhood look like? What are the obstacles to that? How might we participate in bringing the Kingdom?

6. Frederick Buechner speaks about connecting our passions to the world’s pain. What are some ways you have seen other people connect their gifts to the pain of the world? How might you be called to do that?

From Inspiration to Application

1. What is the most striking idea or thought from today’s presentations? What is first thing you plan to tell someone from your congregation who didn’t get to attend today?

2. What inspired you or sparked your desire to be in ministry in the Virginia Annual Conference today after listening to Glenn Rowley and looking at the packet materials and mission opportunities available in our conference.

3. We talked about the importance of “Finding Your Calcutta” today. Where is your Calcutta? What steps do you need to take in order to minister there?

4. Name one thing your church could do that would help you be in ministry with the poor more faithfully.

5. What is your church doing that is not ministry to or for the poor, but meaningfully with the poor?"

Ministry with the Poor: Resource List Books by Shane Claiborne:

The Irresistible Revolution

The Red Letter Revolution

Common Prayer

Jesus For President

Follow Me to Freedom

Other Resources:

Strangers at My Door: A True Story of Finding Jesus in Unexpected Guests by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, And How to Reverse It by Robert D. Lupton

Educating All God's Children: What Christians Can--and Should--Do to Improve Public Education for Low-Income Kids by Nicole Baker Fulgham

Websites:

http://www.churchleadership.com/serveyourneighbor/resource.asp http://www.redletterchristians.org/shane/

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VAUMC Mission and Ministry Opportunities by District The 5 Talent Academy Leadership Team asked our District Superintendents to help us provide a list of mission and ministry opportunities throughout the conference. It is our hope that this list helps you connect with a ministry in your district in order to continue to apply all that you have learned today. This is not an exhaustive list, but is offered as a place to get started.

Alexandria Rising Hope UMC was started in the most impoverished section of the Route One corridor in Fairfax County in order to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of persons living there. They have a worshiping congregation with average worship attendance of 63, two-thirds of whom are homeless or formerly homeless. Every day, free lunches are offered, along with access to clothing and other supplies, spiritual counseling, and moral support, and a service of noonday prayer and praise. Rising Hope is a community center for personal transformation and healing, as well as acceptance and understanding. Many persons benefit by the wholistic approach of spiritual, physical, and social support they find here. During the winter, Rising Hope hosts a hypothermia shelter every night, in partnership with other local congregations and non-profits, serving 125 different persons each winter. www.risinghopeumc.org Arlington Community of Faith feeds one hundred families a week, 52 weeks of the year. www.cofumc.org Arlington Temple works closely with ASPAN (Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network—a homeless organization) to provide office space for their outreach workers (www.a-span.org) and “SoulFood Wednesday”—a Bible study each week for the homeless. www.arlingtontempleumc.org Central UMC also works closely with ASPAN and provides a hot breakfast and lunch each Friday for about 80-100 homeless. www.cumcballston.org Charlottesville Stanardsville UMC- Tuesdays Table, also an Advance Special www.stanardsvilleumc.org Culpeper UMC- Backpack Ministry www.culpeperumc.org Hinton Avenue UMC- Feeding program on Sunday afternoons www.hintonavenueumc.org Danville Danville District (where we are challenged to think of ourselves as one big mission team): While the Henry Fork Service Center is a Virginia Advance it is located within the District. Much of the support for the Center has come from Danville District churches and individuals. The focus here is on ministry with at-risk children in the Rocky Mount area, providing them with school year and summer opportunities for learning and play. www.henryforkcenter.org Grace Design church in the City of Danville has developed an extensive ministry in Section 8 housing projects, taking a weekend meal to children who live there. In 2014 they carried out a one-day Easter event at one of the housing complexes in order to take church outside the building with the message of the Resurrection. www.gracedesignumc.org

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Redwood church is embarking on its second offering of “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World” (Bridges Out of Poverty) after a successful initial class in 2014. They have already planned the third session for Fall of 2015. An extensive building project is being largely driven by the missional needs of the church and community. www.redwoodumc.org Eastern Shore Una Familia: A new ministry of the Eastern Shore District that seeks to build strong relationships between local churches and Hispanic communities by offering tutoring, Christian education and fellowship with children in impoverished areas on the Shore. The After-School Tutoring Program meets every Wednesday evening, 6 pm at Melfa United Methodist Church. Locations forming at Onley, Adams, and Melfa churches. Agape Christian Children’s Community Center: Agape Christian Children's Community Center ministers to the children and community of Horntown, Virginia. The center strives to heal the hurts of this community by spreading the love of Jesus Christ through a preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds that is open 11 hours daily, Monday through Friday; after school programs for kindergarten through second grade. Open year round! www.easternshoredistrictumc.org Elizabeth River Wesley Community Center serves those in need through acts of advocacy and with programs designed to effect reconciliation, collaboration, self-sufficiency and economic justice. www.wesleycenterportsmouth.org Farmville Journey - Thrift Store and Back Pack Ministry www.journeyumcva.org South Hill - Upper Room Ministries (Thrift Store) www.facebook.com/pages/South-Hill-United-Methodist-Church Main Street - Jane Jones Food Pantry (Feeding Program) Prince Edward Charge - Food Pantry Fredericksburg Fredericksburg Heartwood Ministries with the poor: The “Heartwood Center” is a Christian ministry center offering programs for the surrounding community, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and international disaster response. The Mission and Community Center is the result of the prayers of our Fredericksburg United Methodists seeking to respond to the needs around us. 1) June to August each summer - meals for 100 children in poverty 2) December & Easter Break - meals for children in poverty at Four area Elementary Schools - for 100 children 3) Summer Ministries:

a) Day mission camp for middle schoolers & day mission camp for high school students b) District hosted VBS for children in poverty. www.fredericksburgdistrict.org

Harrisonburg New District Mission Center out of Cedar Grove UMC. A children’s clothes center is first with Food and Adult Clothes second. Half of our Congregations pack Back Packs for children for week-ends. Several churches raise gardens for the needy. Several plant potatoes that are distributed to Food Banks.

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Send Work Teams to Belize, Haiti, Honduras, multiple teams to Tangier, multiple teams to N.C. for Tornado Relief and multiple Teams to Lumbee Indians. Several teams to New York and New Jersey to rebuilt after Sandy. We are working plans for a Free Medical Center for Lumbee Indians. Many of our churches have Food Banks. We have a program called SOS which is a program for Sexual Offenders. www.harrisonburgdistrict.org James River Pathways, a not-for-profit, faith-based community organization in Petersburg, Virginia, operating in partnership with residents of Petersburg and the greater Richmond area for the past 20 years. Pathways is governed by a 10-member board of directors, has a staff of 30, and a $2+M budget with major work in youth and leadership development, education and workforce development, offender re-entry programs, health and wellness via a free medical clinic, veteran housing, and community based research. Pathways continues to work with Petersburg residents to build lives and awaken hope for the region. www.pathways-va.org Lynchburg Park View Community Mission actually houses approximately 10 different ministries including providing 2 weeks’ worth of food per month for over 700 families, free medical clinic, free counseling, Narcotics Anonymous meeting 6 times per week and a welcome referral center that provides help to anyone in need. www.parkviewcommunitymission.org Backpack supplies providing a weekend of food for hundreds of children at schools in Lynchburg, Amherst and Bedford Counties. Richmond Shalom Farms: Thousands in Richmond lack access to healthy food. Many also lack the tools and resources to prepare and share it. Shalom Farms seeks to collaboratively transform the Richmond food system so that all people have access to good food – food that is good for our bodies, good for the environment, and good for our communities. Through hands-on experiences on the farm and in the city, Shalom Farms and our diverse partners are making a difference on dinner plates all over the Richmond area. www.shalomfarms.org Public Schools (title 1) - in Richmond, the Micah Project is a good way to get involved. Micah is a partnership of faith communities and Richmond Public Elementary Schools that mentors, tutors, and volunteers through its vibrant network of more than 130 faith communities in 23 schools so that every child believes, “I’m valuable.” www.micahrva.org Food pantries: Belmont UMC; Sherbourne UMC. Roanoke The Community Outreach Program strives to improve the quality of life of children and their families living in poverty and in the inner city by providing a safe and nurturing environment where all God's children are mentored academically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. www.communityoutreachroanoke.org At Shalom Zone: Grace Ministries we are trying a different metric. Faith is relational and out of the relationships we forge we are equipped and able to minister. One result of those relationships is a Farmer’s Market at the site. Starting May 21 every Friday and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 1427 Melrose Ave. (our site) there will be fresh produce for sale. Please come out and see what’s going on and buy some produce. www.roanokeumc.org Bridges Out of Poverty Program www.roanokeumc.org

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209 Manta Ministries- Wesley Foundation at Virginia Tech www.209mannaministries.org Staunton People United in Christ is a new mission community of the Staunton District, housed in a former UM church-building in Buena Vista. PUC has a seven-day-a-week ministry to at risk families and disadvantaged children, hosting parenting and life-skills classes for predominantly African-American adults and spiritual and academic care of at-risk children. A fledging congregation has begun there that worships on Sunday and is fundamentally dedicated to ministry with the poor and hurting, under the leadership of a Lay Supply Pastor. www.stauntondistrictumc.org Basic UMC (Waynesboro) serves a meal followed by an engaging worship service for the poor and disadvantaged every Wednesday night, year-round, and hosts a breakfast, together with ecumenical partners, every Saturday morning to provide nutrition, socialization and spiritual care for the elderly poor – though this meal too is open to all. Basic also has a powerful ministry with Hispanic persons, under the umbrella of Casa de Amistad Ministries, the capstone of which is a worship service in Spanish every Sunday night which draws some 80 persons. Basic, once an aging, downtown church in a faltering area, has been fundamentally reimagined and redesigned to reach the poor. www.basicumc.org In Churchville VA, Glossbrenner and St. James UMCs have engaged other churches to launch a Medical Supply Closet, which is serving the rural poor and elderly of Augusta County with keenly needed equipment, offered freely. www.stauntondistrictumc.org Winchester On the Winchester District we sponsor an Annual Mission fair. Where we host a Stop Hunger Now event and do another project like a potato drop or put together Flood buckets for UMCOR. Many of our Churches are involved is WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter) WATTS is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides a safe, temporary, overnight, cold-weather shelter for homeless guests in Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia. www.watts-shelter.org Many of our churches are involved with Teens Opposing Poverty with Steve Jennings. Our mission is to raise up an army of youth who are actively involved in the fight against hunger and poverty, not just as an annual event, but as a regular part of their lives. www.teensopposingpoverty.org York River Food pantry / Soup ministry Back pack / snack pack program Winter shelter for the homeless www.yorkriverdistrict.org

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Area of Focus of the UMC

Ministry with the Poor involves ministries of love and justice, where appropriate action is defined and taken in right

relationship with, among, and by those who are impoverished — materially, spiritually, or otherwise. One way or another, all experience suffering and poverty, all are in need of grace, and all are called to minister to and show grace to others. Guided by love and grace, Ministry with the Poor requires mutuality of relationship with, by, and of the poor. Ministry with the Poor is fundamental to our Wesleyan and pietistic roots and integral to the Church’s mission “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by proclaiming the good news of God’s grace and by exemplifying Jesus’ command to love God and neighbor, thus seeking the fulfillment of God’s reign and realm in this world” (The United Methodist Book of Discipline 2008, par. 121). Indeed, Ministry with the Poor is a biblical imperative—as much for everyone today as it was for Jesus when he proclaimed: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19; see Isaiah 61:1-2; 58:6-10; Leviticus 25:8-55; Galatians 2:10).

Followers of Jesus too are “anointed”—anointed to serve as disciples of Jesus, to be his “witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), and to serve as God’s co-creators in bringing about the Kingdom of God on earth. But being “anointed” as disciples for the transformation of the world does not imply superiority; in fact, quite the opposite is true.

Disciples of Jesus are all called to be ministers with the poor. As such, disciples are called not only to be prophets, liberators, healers, equalizers, and justice-makers, but also to be hospitable and caring brothers and sisters in Christ, who break bread with each other, nurture community, and work together to make this world a place of justice, mercy, and love. (Romans 12:13)

Jesus explicitly told us “the Way” to do this: each person must love and treat others as he or she would want to be treated (Matthew 22: 35-40). Jesus also modeled how to be in ministry with one another, including widows, orphans, “the little children” (Luke 18: 15-17), prisoners, the homeless, the outcast, the foreigner, the sick and disabled, the debtor, the oppressed, the occupying soldier — and even our enemies (see Matthew 5:43-47) — but especially society’s most marginalized, “the least of these” (Matthew 25: 45), with whom Jesus equated himself. (Matthew 25:35-40) Jesus showed us that ministry with means being with, being a caring presence, being in loving relationship with, standing with, standing in the shoes of, being in solidarity with, listening to, learning from, caring about, and respectfully responding to others as we would have them respond to us (see 1 Thessalonians 2:8 on sharing our lives; Romans 12:9-21).

In accepting the call to be in the service of God’s Kingdom of love and justice, disciples of Jesus strive to transcend boundaries that divide people from one another (see Galations 3:28-29) and embrace the call to overcome the us/them, self/other dichotomies that humans have created and perpetuated: the divisions between “haves” and

Ministry with the Poor Guiding Principles and FoundationsAnswering Jesus’ Call to Discipleship in God’s Mission of Love and Justice

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Area of Focus of the UMC

“have not’s,” rich and poor, superior and inferior, and empowered and marginalized.

Transcending boundaries and living “in ministry with” others requires intentionality and does not happen automatically. Living out one’s faith in this manner means taking on the attitude of Christ Jesus. Doing so requires spiritual commitment and discipline. Cultivating an attitude of Jesus requires the practice of self-emptying — getting beyond one’s own point of view and social location, letting go of self-centeredness, self-interest, self-importance, and the urge to control or dominate (Philippians 2:5-7a). For those who enjoy more privilege, being in intentional ministry with others may require a conscious effort to resist the tendency to see “the poor” as a problem to be fixed by the not-so-poor. By making all of us — the poor or marginalized and the not-so-poor or marginalized — more receptive to patiently and attentively listening to, learning from, and sharing and partnering with each other, the practice of self-emptying enables deeper engagement in Ministry with the Poor, in service of God’s mission of love and justice.

With these principles in mind, it is important to recognize that poverty is complex, multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, and highly contextual. For that reason, Ministry with the Poor must also be multi-faceted and multi-dimensional, including works of mercy as well as acts of justice in our Christian responses to poverty. Ministry with the Poor certainly includes philanthropy and ministries of mercy and generosity. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. . . . Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:10, 13; see, e.g., 2 Corinthians 9:5-14; Luke 12: 33-34). And yet, Ministry with the Poor is more than a handout, more than an anti-poverty program, and more than a problem to be fixed. “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body

to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13: 3).

In service of God’s mission of love and justice, disciples of Jesus must acknowledge that works of mercy and generosity — even when coupled with governmental interventions — have neither dealt with the root causes of poverty nor addressed the systems and structures that can trap people in poverty. Consequently, Ministry with the Poor must not only continue to include ministries of mercy that mitigate immediate symptoms of poverty and injustice; Ministry with the Poor must also seek to understand and address root causes of systemic injustice and come to terms with the insatiable human hunger for money, possessions, power and status that competes with love of God and neighbor and contributes to economic disparities. Jesus warned us: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. . . No one can serve two masters. . . You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matthew 6: 21, 24; see Luke 12: 15-21, 32-34; 1Timothy 6:17-19).

Approved by the Interagency Task Force on Ministry with the Poor, October 29, 2010

General Board of Church and SocietyGeneral Board of DiscipleshipGeneral Board of Global MinistriesGeneral Board of Higher Education and MinistryGeneral Board of Pensions and Health BenefitsGeneral Commission on Archives and HistoryG eneral Commission on Christian Unity and

Interreligious ConcernsGeneral Commission on Communications (UMCOM)General Commission on Religion and RaceGeneral Commission on Status and Role of WomenGeneral Commission on United Methodist MenGeneral Council on Finance and AdministrationUnited Methodist Publishing House

Additional Resources on Social Justice and Ministry with the Poor

Proverbs 31:8-9 The Message “Speak up for the people who have no voice,

for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice!

Stand up for the poor and destitute!”

1. Social Justice Handbook – Small Steps for a Better World Mae Elise Cannon (Intervarsity Press 2009) A comprehensive resource for Christians committed to social justice. A biblical rationale for justice and explanation of a variety of Christian approaches to doing justice.

2. The Justice Project Brian McLaren, Elisa Padilla, Ashley Bunting Seeber, Editors (Baker Books 2009) Invites you to deepen your understanding of the pressures our world faces and to take up the challenge of alleviating them.

3. Make Poverty Personal Ash Barker, Poverty is one of the great challenges of the 21st century, but not a new one. And neither is God’s deep concern for the poor – it is a theme deeply woven throughout the Bible. This urgent, provocative book offers both challenge and hope. Pulling out and reflecting on significant passages from both testaments, the book reveals what the Bible says about both the nature of poverty and about how God calls people to respond. Order from umwmissionresources.org 1-800-305-9857

4. Spent – A Poverty Simulation Game Spent walks you through the tough choices that employed people who live at the poverty line have to make. playspent.org

5. Ministrywith.org The website of the Ministry with the Poor resources of the General Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Women

6. Children’s Defense Fund CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown. childrensdefense.org

“Most good things have been said far too many times and just need to be lived.”

Shane Claiborne

Thank you for your feedback!

EVALUATION OF 5 TALENT ACADEMY EVENT Ministry with the Poor featuring Shane Claiborne February 21, 2015

On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best it could be, please rate the following:

Location 1 2 3 4 5

Meeting facilities 1 2 3 4 5

Worship 1 2 3 4 5

Program (Shane Claiborne) 1 2 3 4 5

Peer Groups 1 2 3 4 5

Communication prior to event 1 2 3 4 5

Lunch 1 2 3 4 5

Is your church a member of the 5 Talent Academy? Yes No

How did you hear about this event? Please circle all that apply.

My church (Pastor, Lay Leader, Bulletin)

My district

ClergyNet email

LaityNet email

Personal email

Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+)

The Advocate

The Virginia Conference website

Personal invitation

Other __________________________

Did you take advantage of the Group Discount Pricing for this event? Yes No If yes, did you find that a helpful offer that you would you like to see again? Yes No What made you decide to come to today’s event?

What was the best part of the day?

What could have made it better? What will you take back to your church to share from today’s experience? Please list any other suggestions for the 5 Talent Academy Leadership Team:

Join us this fall for our Faith Development event. This event, focused specifically on small group ministry, will feature the Rev. Dr. James A Harnish, an expert and advocate for Wesleyan small group ministry. Dr. Harnish is the former senior pastor of Hyde Park United Methodist church in Tampa, and is author of many books including A Disciple’s Path. He will lead the morning sessions and the afternoon will be devoted to discussion and practice of small group ministry in the Virginia Conference.

The live site for this event will be Floris UMC in Northern Virginia. Nine additional locations will be offered. Registration for this event will open soon--stay tuned for details.

Faith Development: November 10, 2015WHAT’S NEXT?

Stay tuned to ClergyNet, LaityNet, and our social media accounts for further information.

facebook.com/fivetalentacademytwitter.com/5talentacademyplus.google.com/102040571757478491277

In 2016: Spring 2016: Worship Barbara Day Miller

Barbara Day Miller is the Associate Dean for Worship and Music at Candler School of Theology where she directs the worship and musical life of the seminary, including the planning and facilitating of three services each week. She will lead sessions on the POWR model, a conversational model of worship planning and leadership. This pattern of planning engages hearts and minds and senses around the biblical texts, a process that deepens the worship experience and the spiritual life of the congregation.

09/2014

5 Talent Academy Covenant

We ___________________________ (name of church) enter into this covenant along with other churches committed to the 5 Talent Academy to signify our commitment to being more faithful and fruitful as described in the parable of the talents.

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five

talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents

went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the

master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing

five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him,

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your

master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made

two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you

over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matthew 25:14-23, ESV)

Within the three year period from the date signed below we will undertake the prayer, training, coaching and focus necessary to achieve the following goals:

Worship - Average worship attendance (AWA) will increase by _____% annually Evangelism – Professions of Faith will represent ____% of AWA

Faith Development – Small Group participation will represent ____ % of AWA

Engage in Mission and Ministry with the Poor-

Members serving in hands on ministry will be ____% of AWA; Giving in support of ministry with the poor will be ____ % of annual operational budget Stewardship – Tithes and Offerings will increase ___% annually

In addition, we will prayerfully pursue a plan to plant or partner in planting a new faith community within the next five years. In order to accomplish these goals we will:

Attend all 5 Talent Academy events over the next three years Develop and implement a plan to meet the above goals Provide annual reporting on all five goals areas at our yearly charge conference Participate fully in appropriate peer learning groups to accelerate results

We hereby make our commitment, trusting in the grace of God to give us the will and the strength to keep this covenant.

Pastor Signature: ____________________________________ Date: __________

Church Council Chair Signature: _________________________ Date: __________

Once your 5 Talent Academy Covenant has been completed, please make 2 copies. Please send your original to

Mark Ogren, Director of Congregational Excellence: PO Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5606; send a copy to your

District Office; and keep a copy on file for your church.

5 TALENT ACADEMY LEADERSHIP TEAM: 2013-2015 Church Pastor

Asbury (H) Rev. Steve Hay shay@asburyumc.cc

Ellen McDorman ellen.mcdorman@merck.com el.n.mcdorman@aol.com Bethany (H) Rev. Brad McMullen pastorbrad.bethany@gmail.com

Tom Thompson tthompson@3bubbas.com Ebenezer (FD) Rev. Mark Miller, Co-Chair mark.miller@ebenezerumc.org Robin Bennett RobinBennett@ebenezerumc.org Evergreen (W) Rev. Chip Giessler, Peer Group Coordinator pastor@evergreenchurch.net Ralph Carver BCarver@attglobal.net Fairfax (A) Rev. Lindsey Baynham lbaynham@fairfaxumc.org Floris (AR) Rev. Tom Berlin, Co-Chair tberlin@florisumc.org Cynthia Lopynski clopynski@florisumc.org Salem (YR) Brian Johnson brianjohnson@vaumc.org St. John’s (ES) Gary Miller garycmiller@verizon.net St. Matthew’s (RD) Gordon Pruitt pastorgkp@gmail.com Woodlake (RD) Peter Moon pmoon@woodlakeumc.org Conference Staff Mark Ogren markogren@vaumc.org

Kim Johnson kimjohnson@vaumc.org

5 TALENT ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP CHURCHES

District Church Pastor  Email Address Signed RevisedA Buckhall UMC Linda Monroe bumc.lmonroe@verizon.net 6/21/2012A Burke Lawrence W. Buxton larrybuxton@burkeumc.org 7/9/2012A Grace (Manassas) Rudy Tucker rtucker@umcgrace.org

A Sudley Bass M. Mitchell sudleyumc@verizon.net 6/18/2012AR Arlington Temple Alison G. Rosner pastorallie@verizon.net 4/19/2012AR Charles Wesley Livingstone Dore LivingstoneDore@vaumc.org 9/4/2012AR Community of Faith Rob Vaughn drrobvaughn@cox.netAR Floris Thomas W. Berlin ppiester@florisumc.org 5/17/2012AR Korean of Gtr. Wash. Keith Lee is45.15@gmail.com

AR Sleepy Hollow Pamela Clark Egan office@sleepyhollowumc.org 6/23/2012AR Sterling  C. Randolph Duncan pastor@sterlingumc.org

C Byrd Chapel Neil McLaughlin NeilMcLaughlin@vaumc.org 9/12/2012

C Culpeper Randy Orndorff pastorjro@culpeperumc.org 5/17/2012C Palmyra George E Gorman georgeegorman@gmail.com 5/6/2012C Rock Spring Pamela J. Baldwin pjharpist@gmail.com 7/16/2012D Bassett Memorial E. Russell Gresham, IV RussGresham@vaumc.org 6/9/2014D First UMC Martinsville Keith Ritchie KeithRitchie@vaumc.org 4/21/2014D Redwood Brad Dulaney pastor@redwoodumc.org

ER Beech Grove Keith Moore pastor@beechgroveumc.org 8/2/2012ER Broad Street Lisa Blackmonson broadstreetumc@gmail.com 9/10/2012ER Courthouse Community Randy McMillen randym@ccumc.net  6/23/2012ER Monumental  Joe Cailles revjoec@msn.com

ER St. John's Brandon L. Gilmore pastor@stjohnsumcnorfolk.com 6/23/2012ER St. Luke's David Cunningham stlukesmeth@yahoo.com 4/8/2014ER St. Paul's Hank Teague pastor@stpaulsumchurch‐va.com 6/17/2012ER The Bridge Andrew Book andrew.book@gmail.com

ER Wesley Mem./Zion Grace Scott Beck zgumc@ziongraceumc.org 6/19/2012ES Grace Donald Jamison gracees@verizon.net 7/30/2012ES St. John's Gary Miller gcm23303@verizon.net

F Grace  John Randall Kiel eastnottowayumc@embarqmail.com 7/30/2012F Main Street Edward F. Rigg mainstreet@embarqmail.com 6/22/2012F Mt. Cana Randy Holmes randy.holmes13@gmail.com 6/23/2012F Rocky Hill John Randall Kiel eastnottowayumc@embarqmail.com 7/30/2012FD Colonial Beach Yunho Eo cbumc@va.metrocast.net 6/28/2012FD Dahlgren  Edward H. Johnson atsgrad@gmail.com 6/25/2012FD Ebenezer Mark Miller robinbennett@ebenezerumc.org 5/10/2012FD Fletcher's Chapel Michael B. Reaves reaves.michael.b@gmail.comFD Galilee Charles Bates revcfb59@hughes.netFD Grace‐Hartwood Brenda Pusso pastorbrenda.grace@gmail.comFD Mt. Vernon Mark Lawrence m.lawrence@comcast.net

FD Peace Bradford L. Phillips bphillips@vaumc.orgFD Tappahannock Memorial Carla Stearns tmumc@verizon.net 7/30/2012FD Wrights Chapel Charles Tillapaugh charles@wrightschapel.org 5/29/2012FD  St. Paul Mark Lawrence m.lawrence@comcast.net

H Asbury Stephen D. Hay SHay@AsburyUMC.cc 6/18/2012H Bethany  Bradley McMullen brad.mcmullen@gmail.com

H Dayton Steven L. Bird daytonumc@comcast.net 6/19/2012H Edom Marlene A Chandler MarleneChandler@vaumc.org 6/3/2012H Linville Marlene A Chandler MarleneChandler@vaumc.org 6/3/2012H Mountain Valley Valerie W. Ritter revvwr@gmail.com 6/4/2012H Mt. Pisgah John Crawford pastorjohn03@gmail.com 1/20/2014H Verona Robert J. Weeks bobweeks@veronaumc.com 6/28/2012H Weyers Cave Margaret Packard pastorpackard@gmail.com 5/5/2012JR Bethia UMC James H. (Jay) Carey, Jr. jaycarey@bethiaumc.org 7/28/2014JR Bermuda Hundred Elizabeth Anderson revbethanderson@gmail.com 10/26/2012

JR Chester  Sylvia S. Meadows pastor@chesterumc.org

JR Main Street/Emporia Bruce Carper carperb@telpage.net

JR Main Street/Suffolk Myrtle Frances Hatcher pastor@mainstumc.org 8/27/2012L Monroe George Riggins georgeriggins@hotmail.com 11/28/2012

L Peakland John Vest jvest@peaklandumc.org 6/18/2012RD Asbury (CH Hill) Marilyn Heckstall mheckstall@comcast.net 4/23/2012RD Belmont Larry J. Cochran ljcochran6@verizon.netRD Brookland  Lynne Caldwell lynnebcaldwell@gmail.com 2/11/2014

RD Chamberlayne Heights Jeffrey Y Harlow pastor@chamberlayneheightsumc.org 2/9/2014

RD Corinth W. Joseph Winfree JoeWinfree@vaumc.org 2/11/2014

RD Duncan Memorial David Hindman david.hindman@duncanmemorialumc.org 6/22/2012RD Emmaus at Stratford Hills Chiul Ki Kim historytobe@hotmail.com

RD Forest Grove Linda E.F. Crabbs PastorLinda@Crabbs.net 6/24/2012RD Laurel Park Barbara Lewis BarbaraDLewis@gmail.com 12/1/2014RD New  Song Chad Herndon ChadHerndon@vaumc.orgRD River Road Frances T. Cooper fran@riverroadumc.orgRD Shady Grove David Adkins adkins@shadygroveumc.netRD Shady Grove John Kelchner jaykelchner@vaumc.org

RD St. Matthew's Gordon Pruitt pastorgkp@gmail.comRD Trinity Larry E.Lenow llenow@trinityumc.net

RD Westover Hills Donna Holder pastorwhumc@verizon.netRD Woodlake Peter Moon pmoon@woodlakeumc.org 5/20/2012 12/1/2014

5 TALENT ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP CHURCHES

District Church Pastor  Email Address Signed RevisedRD Corinth Joseph Winfree JoeWinfree@vaumc.org

RN St. Paul  Carroll C. Carter stpaulumcroa@aol.com 8/9/2012S Main Street Clay Knick ClayKnick@vaumc.org 8/16/2012S Mt. Pleasant Charles Cole chuckcolerev21@aol.com 6/23/2012S South Covington Charles Cole chuckcolerev21@aol.com 6/23/2012W Evergreen Chip Giessler evergreenchurch@verizon.net 6/23/2012W Front Royal Denise P Bates DeniseBates@vaumc.org

W Braddock Street Kirk Nave leadpastorbsumc@comcast.net 12/17/2012

YR Benn's O. H. Burton oburton7797@charter.netYR Emmanuel Jeongin Kim jeonginkim@vaumc.org 9/13/2012YR Grace Steven D. Barbery revstevenb@gmail.com

YR Salem/Olive Branch Rita Staul revritasr@aol.com

YR Warwick Memorial Bert Cloud, Regina Anderson C pastorgina@wmumc.org   pastorbert@wmumc.org 6/21/2012