Gathering United Methodist Church to host

Gathering United Methodist Church will hold Beyond Conference for church leaders to look beyond what is present. (Photo taken from Gathering Church’s Facebook page)

Gathering United Methodist Church will host the “Beyond” conference for more than 200 Christian leaders from Saturday to Sunday, Feb. 27 to 28.

The church’s Facebook page noted that the gathering would be for faith leaders who seek to discover more deeply how they could commit to helping individuals to know the love of Jesus.

Overwhelmed Church Leaders

According to the church’s website, leaders have been overwhelmed with the narrative surrounding the church. They explained that data shows a decrease in attendance and participation in the church.

As further noted, the pandemic has challenged the people’s understanding of the value of gathering in the church. They revealed that younger generations are dismantling their faith and proclaiming a new sense of Christianity.

Moreover, they noted that many people are afraid and uncertain about the future due to divisions within denominations.

Looking Beyond

The same website emphasized that pastors, staff, and volunteer leaders from other countries could gather together to win a new day filled with enthusiasm, purpose, and hope.

They added they could have a revival, advancement, and passion for replacing their burnout, despair, and uncertainty. The website said they could have a new strategy focused purely on evangelical and unapologetic.

Gathering United Methodist Church stressed that leaders could unite in choosing to look “Beyond” the present. They could focus on seeing a future where the Church is reclaiming and renewing its beginnings.

The church is vibrant and has a compelling community of faith for everyone, as added on the website.

Keynote Speaker: Brian McLaren

One of the conference’s keynote speakers is Brian McLaren. On his website, they highlighted that he is an author, speaker, activist, and a public theologian. They added that McLaren was a former college English teacher and pastor.

In addition, the website states that he is a dedicated advocate for “a new kind of Christianity.” He desires that Christians be just generous and work with other Believers of all faiths for the common good.

Moreover, McLaren is the primary faculty member of The Living School and podcaster with Learning How to See. These programs are part of the Center for Action and Contemplation, as noted on the website.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Amy Oden

Another Keynote Speaker for the Beyond Conference is Dr. Amy Oden. According to her website, she is a working professor and teacher of church history and Christian spirituality for various seminaries.

They highlighted that she worked on the faculties of Oklahoma City University, Saint Paul Theology, and Wesley Theological Seminary, where she also worked as a Dean. They added that she holds a doctor’s degree in Religious Studies from Southern Methodist University.

As mentioned, Dr. Oden also completed a baccalaureate in Letters from the University of Oklahoma.

According to the website, Oden found her spiritual shelter under the wide-open sky when she was born and raised on the prairies of Oklahoma. As further explained, her heart is to introduce spiritual practices that could be rooted and cultivate lives for justice in the world.

More importantly, the website revealed that she won teaching awards and is an in-demand speaker.