New Wineskins

Jesus told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’” (Luke 5:36-39)

I recently attended a workshop entitled “New Wineskins” sponsored by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and held in Mt. Vernon at First UMC. The keynote speakers were Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean and Rev. Dr. Ryan Burge. The conference focused upon growth and outreach challenges that churches may be facing. There were over 100 laity and clergy from across the conference who participated in illuminating discussions that related to trends in the attendance and engagement of youth, the development of innovative ministry ideas and the impact of political identities upon church growth.

Much of the information that the presenters shared was based upon the books they’d written. What was especially unique was the fact that Dr. Burge regularly attends First UMC in Mt. Vernon with his wife and children. As a native of Salem, Illinois, he is especially aware of church vitality trends in the mid-west. Please check out the short videoclips featuring the presenters in the links below and let me know your thoughts about the insightful perspectives that they provide.

We are looking forward to seeing you in worship and learning with you in the various classes that are offered.

In Christ, 
Jon McCoy