Ministry Bloghttp://www.salemumcnc.orgThu, 09 Sep 2010 12:21:40 GMTPrayerhttp://www.salemumcnc.org/prayerMon, 05 Jul 2010 18:22:09 GMTPastor of Salem UMCPrayer is one of the most important things we can do as Christians. Jesus spent a tremendous amount of his ministry in prayer. His example is one we should follow. As United Methodists we have a strong tradition as a praying people. Prayer can take many forms. We can pray prayers of praise, we can offer intercessory prayers (focusing on the needs of others), and we can pray prayers of confession. There are many ways to pray and God hears all prayers offered to Him.

Here are some ideas to help improve your prayer life.

1) Realize that prayer makes a big difference in your life and the lives of others.
2) Have a purpose to your prayers and, if you want to ask God for something, ask Him for it specifically. Prayer is an active process!!!
3) Call on the Holy Spirit to lead you in prayer.
4) Read the Bible as part of your prayer time and take into prayer ideas, thoughts and themes that come to you during your reading. Praying the Psalms is a good way to incorporate God’s Word into your prayers.
5) Prayer is not just saying or thinking words. Be sure you take time to listen to God when you pray.
6) Relax and don’t worry about being eloquent in prayer. Have a conversation with God as you would with a good friend.
7) Take time to pray each day and pray throughout the day. Even short prayers as you are driving or going about other daily activities have great meaning to God.
8) Remember that prayer is a discipline. If you feel uncomfortable or uncertain as you start to pray, be patient. God is with you. Prayer gets easier over time and with practice.
9) Surround yourself with people who pray. Incorporate prayer into family activities. Ask someone or a group of people to be prayer partners with you. Prayer groups can have tremendous power to do good!

Know that God wants you to pray. He loves you and desires to talk to you.


]]>http://www.salemumcnc.org/prayerThe Five Practices of Fruitful Congregationshttp://www.salemumcnc.org/the-five-practices-of-fruitful-congregationsWed, 30 Jun 2010 18:45:40 GMTPastor of Salem UMCThese five practices come from Bishop Robert Schnase's book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. At Salem, we are leaning into our calling from God and developing our capacity to carry out each of these practices.

1) Radical Hospitality

2) Passionate Worship

3) Intentional Faith Development

4) Risk Taking Service

5) Extravagant Generosity

 

]]>http://www.salemumcnc.org/the-five-practices-of-fruitful-congregationsThe Seven Pathwayshttp://www.salemumcnc.org/the-seven-pathwaysWed, 30 Jun 2010 18:44:39 GMTPastor of Salem UMCThe United Methodist Church's Council of Bishops has identified Seven Pathways on which to focus in order to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  These pathways help the members of Salem UMC direct their ministry resources and efforts to maximize effectiveness for God's kingdom. 

1) Transform existing congregations (Revelation 1-3)

2) Developing new congregations (Acts 1:8, 16:9-10)

3) Strengthening clergy and lay leadership (Philippians 3:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:14)

4) Teaching the Wesleyan model of reaching and forming disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20)

5) Reaching and transforming the lives of a new generation of children (Matthew 19:14, Acts 2:39, and Proverbs 22:6)

6) Eliminating poverty in community with the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7, Luke 10)

7) Expanding racial and ethic ministries (Acts 10:28) 

]]>http://www.salemumcnc.org/the-seven-pathwaysChoirhttp://www.salemumcnc.org/choirWed, 30 Jun 2010 12:57:39 GMTPastor of Salem UMCMusic is an important part of our worship at Salem UMC.  Each week our choir provides special music to the glory of God.  The choir also presents special holiday music during Easter and Advent and at other times during the year.  This December we will have a Christmas Cantata. 

Music and singing hymns have been an important aspect of Methodism since the times of John Wesley.  Charles Wesley, John's brother, wrote thousands of hymns, many that still make up a regular part of a worship service in the United Methodist Church.  From the beginning, Methodists have been known as a "singing people."

Choir practice is each Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Salem.  You are invited to join us and lift your voice up to the Lord!    

]]>http://www.salemumcnc.org/choirYouthhttp://www.salemumcnc.org/youthTue, 29 Jun 2010 15:54:43 GMTAlan Felton

We welcome children of all ages to participate in the life and ministry of Salem United Methodist Church.  For more information on our youth programs, please call Alan Felton at 919-603-5844.

]]>http://www.salemumcnc.org/youth