WIG Stories

CTC New Faith Community Grants Phase 2

4/13/2021

As the CTC continues to move forward to a New Spring and reimagine all the ways that our churches and people go about our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, the Center for Evangelism, Mission and Church Growth (CEMCG) has also reimagined its New Faith ...

Easter Message from Bishop Mike Lowry

4/4/2021

Bishop Lowry places readers in the same place as the women who first encountered the empty tomb – teetering on the edge of eternity. Today, as it was on that first Easter morning, the edge of eternity is now bridged by a cross of hope put there by our Lord who invites us to a future of hope filled ...

UCF Wesley Foundation at Navarro College at 2021 Retreat

3/30/2021

The UCF Wesley Foundation at Navarro College recently hosted their largest retreat in the past five years at Sky Ranch in Van, Texas. The focus of the retreat was “Find Your Swing.” After a year full of challenges – many of which were unprecedented and COVID related - students enjoyed a weekend ...

The Silos at Waco are Central to a Winter Storm Fixer Upper Story

3/29/2021

The UMC Connectional system, a local church with a strong community involvement and social media presence and a Pennsylvania couple’s hope of bumping into Chip and/or Joanna Gaines come together to provide assistance and relief to someone still struggling with damages caused by February’s severe ...

Palm Sunday / Holy Week Message from Bishop Mike Lowry

3/27/2021

As we prepare for the week that we Christians call “Holy,” Bishop Lowry challenges us to engage in “revolutionary thinking” and to remember that Your King is Coming. Click on the player below to hear this years Palm Sunday/Holy Week message from Bishop Lowry.

Replay of "Building a Spiritual Core" Webinar Now Available

3/26/2021

In this presentation, Bishop Lowry, Rev. Ramsdell and special guest Rev. Joseph Nader focus on making disciples and strengthening our Churches' spiritual lives. The Churches spiritual core is the foundation of the new future. This event is part of the A New Church for a New World webinar series. ...

CTC Winter Storm Response Update

2/23/2021

We are working as a Conference Team with District Superintendents (DS) and members of the District Discipleship Teams to provide assistance and disaster relief across the Central Texas Conference. The following video shows what all is being done and what you can do to help us in this vital process! ...

A Message for Lent 2021

2/17/2021

Bishop Lowry shares his annual message to the Central Texas Conference and Christians everywhere.

A Statement on the Storming of the U.S. Capitol

1/7/2021

Following the stunning events unfolding at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Bishop Lowry has issued a statement calling for peace and to actively live as faithful followers of the Prince of Peace.

Bishop Lowry's Message for the New Year 2021

1/1/2021

Click the above link to hear the hopeful message from Bishop Mike Lowry of the New Year in 2021. Happy New Year to all!

A Birth Announcement - God Is With Us! (A Christmas Message from Bishop Lowry)

12/24/2020

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” May this great birth announcement ring out in homes, be twittered and tweeted in our communities, blogged about on websites, sent in our emails, and zoomed around our nation and world! Click on the below to view Bishop Lowry's special Christmas video message to...

Bishop Lowry's Advent Message for 2020

11/30/2020

Ours is a world desperately awaiting someone who can come and save us – save us from the chaos of COVID-19, the pandemic of partisan politics, the moral madness which seems to have infected us, and yes, save us even from ourselves. In his annual Advent message (see video below) Bishop Lowry reminds ...

Moving Forward!

11/20/2020

Even during this prolonged time of chaos and change, Jesus, through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, is actively at work in the local churches of the CTC. And that is a very, very good thing.

Be the Bridge Seminar Video Replays Now Available!

11/9/2020

If we are not actively addressing the sin of racism, then we are not actively making disciples of Jesus Christ! Video replays of last week's Be the Bridge Racial Reconciliation Training Seminar are now available for viewing and/or download.

The Promise and FUMC Glen Rose

10/15/2020

The Promise, a one-of-a-kind musical production performed annually at the Texas Amphitheater in Glen Rose, Texas. and First United Methodist Church in Glen Rose, TX partner together to bring more people to the Kingdom of God.

Bishop Lowry Announces Virtual 2020 Central Texas Annual Conference Meeting

8/18/2020

BREAKING NEWS – Bishop Lowry has announced that the 2020 Central Texas Annual Conference meeting will be held entirely online via Zoom. The date of the meeting has been set for Saturday, Sept. 19 beginning at 10 a.m. Visit https://www.ctcumc.org/AC20 for details, or go to https://www.ctcumc.org/bish...

Words of Thanks, Admiration and Perseverance for the Fall of 2020

8/14/2020

In his latest video message to the CTC, Bishop Lowry, having recently returned to Lone Star State after taking a few weeks to go and play the role of Papa with his grandkids, shares words of admiration and thanks to the clergy and lay leadership who continue to go above and beyond in their efforts ...

CTCYM 2020 - Car Washes and Sandwiches

7/29/2020

2020 was not the year we expected by any means and because CTCYM Mission Trip was canceled doesn't mean needs aren't being met. Church Youth Ministries all over the conference have unleashed their creativity to serve their own community and even in some circumstances are teaming up with other ...

CTCYM 2020 - Doing Good in Local Communities

7/2/2020

There was some initial disappointment felt when the COVID-19 pandemic forced CTCYM leadership to cancel the conference’s 2020 Jr./Sr. High youth mission trips. But perhaps the only thing rivaling our conference youth’s desire to go and be the hands and feet of Christ to those who need it is their ...

A Million Dollars Towards the Great Commission - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

6/17/2020

Just a little more than a year following a disastrous fire that destroyed their sanctuary, Mooreville UMC officially broke ground on a new sanctuary last weekend. This was made possible in no small part thanks to the faithfulness of the Mooreville UMC congregation and the extravagant generosity ...

We Have This Hope - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative

6/8/2020

Morgan Mill UMC's Food Pantry is a ministry that has been giving to their community since March of 2012 and during the COVID-19 pandemic, their operations have changed a little bit. Morgan Mill is meeting a need for their community, but also they are connecting their community to Christ. In a time ...

It Only Takes A Spark - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative

5/14/2020

A backpack ministry that started out as “a small mission project” for the Mineral Wells UMC has transformed into something so much bigger. Not only do they regularly provide nutritious food for more than 10 percent of the students in their community (a number that has exploded to more than 30 ...

Emerging Ministry in the Little Ice Age - A Video Update from Bishop Mike Lowry

5/13/2020

As we continue to engage in effective ministry during and after COVID-19, Bishop Lowry and the Cabinet are convinced that churches hoping to return to “the way things were” are not going to emerge from this season as healthy as those who are willing to embrace a “new day” for their church. In his ...

Partnering with Local Churches During a Time of Financial Crisis and Uncertain Future

5/7/2020

To say that the current coronavirus crisis has put our economic situation in a bit of a bind would be more than a slight understatement. And even as our state slowly and cautiously begins to reopen, the truth is that the financial realities of this situation may not be totally evident for many ...

Bishop Lowry Provides Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Response and Returning to In-Person Worship

4/27/2020

Following the April 27 announcement from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott regarding new executive orders on "Reopening Texas" in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Lowry released the following video with guidance to the local churches of the Central Texas Conference on how they are to respond. ...

Video Update from Bishop Mike Lowry - April 23rd, 2020

4/23/2020

In his latest video update to the Central Texas Conference, Bishop Lowry addresses several topics related to the ministries and business of the CTC - chief among them being what does the reported “reopening of Texas” plans mean for our local churches? Other topics touched on by Bishop Lowry include ...

Worship Done by DVD - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative

4/22/2020

Our current COVID-19 reality has seen a lot of innovation and new ideas tried by local churches in order stay connected to and worship with their congregation and community. While the modern streaming and teleconferencing tools available today have been a successful resource for many, for some it ...

"On the COVID-19 Emmaus Road" a message from Bishop Mike Lowry

4/16/2020

This past Easter Sunday was like no other. Still, while radically different from what any of us could have imagined earlier this year, the Easter Celebrations of the Central Texas Conference churches were triumphantly expressed. We were separated but not alone. Join Bishop Lowry as he reflects on ...

A New Kind of Egg Hunt - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative

4/14/2020

Creativity is a vital component of a successful children’s ministry under the most “normal” of circumstances. It is exponentially so during these COVID-19 times as churches look for ways to keep our youngest disciples engaged and experiencing the love of their church family. While there are many ...

"The Son Rises" - An Easter Sunrise Message from Bishop Mike Lowry

4/10/2020

Bishop Lowry shares a very familiar message of hope and peace during a very unfamiliar and unsettled COVID-19 world. He IS Risen. He IS Risen Indeed!

"The Stones Cry" - A Holy Week Message from Bishop Lowry

4/7/2020

As we continue our Holy Week journey to and through the cross on our way to the joy of Easter morning, we are quickly reminded that this is a very different Holy Week. This is NOT the Holy Week any of us could have ever anticipated. Yet here we are, and Easter IS Coming. Please join Bishop Lowry as ...

Palm Sunday - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative

4/7/2020

A phrase often associated with Palm Sunday is “the triumphal entry.” For many Central Texas Conference churches, this past Palm Sunday was a triumph of overcoming the uncertain and finding unique and love-filled ways to commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark ...

COVID-19 WIG Update from Bishop Mike Lowry

3/30/2020

Even in this time of uncertainty and disruption of our “normal” routines and ministries due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Holy Spirit IS moving among us. As such, it is critical that we continue to act as, what Bishop Lowry terms “a people guided by faith, not driven by fear.” All across the ...

COVID-19 News Update from Bishop Mike Lowry

3/30/2020

While the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 crisis has caused the temporary suspension of in-person worship services and ministries, it has also caused the postponement of many events in the church – such as General Conference 2020. Bishop Lowry briefly addresses this issue and how the crisis might ...

Despite Our Fears - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative

3/25/2020

During uncertain times such as these, there are a few certainties that do remain like the human need to eat and the church’s need to serve and minister to their community. How a church or ministry goes about meeting the need to serve and remain faithful to our call to be good citizens and do all we ...

Mission Work for the WIN! - A New WIG Video Narrative

3/19/2020

Mission work - going out into our communities and helping those in need and doing good work is a good thing. But what separates the mission work done by our local churches from other wonderful altruistic organizations? (Here’s a hint – it’s the church, the answer is usually “Jesus.”) When churches ...

Growing like Topsy - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

3/12/2020

Like many of the local churches in the Central Texas Conference, Couts Memorial UMC offers an after school program for the children and youth of their community. Recently, they added something new that has seen participation in their Wednesday gatherings skyrocket. What is this new, secret ...

Confirmation to the Conference - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

3/5/2020

A Confirmation Class is an important part of a person’s faith journey. It a time where confirmands learn who Jesus is, what the United Methodist Church believes about Him and how He calls us to be His followers. First United Methodist Church Eastland’s confirmation class traveled to the Conference ...

Ashes to Go - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

2/28/2020

Going to church on the first day of Lent to have the sign of the cross placed on your forehead or hand with ashes is not unusual in the Methodist faith tradition. However, it is a tad uncommon to be able to receive ashes and prayer through your car window. Sometimes doing ordinary things in ...

Central Texas Conference Churches Approach Two Consecutive Years of Growth

2/26/2020

CTC churches grew their average worship attendance just under 1 percent in 2019 according to data provided via the EZRA checkout reports. While the rate of growth slowed from 2018’s blistering pace of 4 percent, more churches reported year-over-year growth than in 2018 – 47 percent of churches in 2019 vs 2018’s 44 percent. Churches with New Faith Communities again proved to be a primary driver of the growth in average worship attendance, again reinforcing the idea that creating new places for new people is vital to achieving our mission. The EZRA “checkout” report also identified a significant area of focus going forward in that the data showed that Professions of Faith were down in 2019, indicating a need to continue and even increase our conference-wide emphasis on professions of faith in 2020 and beyond.

Developing New Leaders - A New CTC WIG Narrative

2/6/2020

A primary and vital role of a leader is to articulate a vision of a preferred future, then engage other people in actioning that vision. Lay and Clergy leaders in The United Methodist Church are called to engage others in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the ...

FUMC Belton Brunch Church - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

1/29/2020

Amazing things happen in the life of a local church when leadership comes together and prayerfully considers “What is God calling us to do?” Amazing things can happen even faster when that local church also engages with its local community and employs some of the modern tools available today like ...

Throw Open Wide the Doors - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

1/23/2020

Rev. Mike Love and Epworth United Methodist Church were about to start a new sermon series on Mr. Rogers, "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood." As a part of this series, Pastor Mike invited Arlington Life Shelter to come to Epworth United Methodist Church to see their facilities. Arlington Life ...

The Folklorico Effect - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

1/10/2020

Christ UMC in Fort Worth has a new cultural approach to ministry centered around the “Ballet Folklorico” – highly choreographed, traditional Mexican dances that emphasize local folk culture with ballet characteristics such as pointed toes and exaggerated movements. The Folklorico ministry was ...

A Jingle Bell Jog with Our Community - A New WIG Video Narrative

12/11/2019

Last Friday (Dec. 6), the Central Texas Conference Service Center Team had the opportunity to join their Project Transformation colleagues serve as the hands and feet volunteers at a neighboring elementary school. This was not an event planner, organized and/or promoted by the conference. Rather, ...

Engaging Our Communities- A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

12/4/2019

Meeting people where they are and offering them the love of Jesus Christ is not a new concept. Nor is our mission as stated in the CTC’s Wildly Important Goal of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. It is the same mission that Jesus gave us in His Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

A Thanksgiving WIG Celebration

11/27/2019

On this week of Thanksgiving, we pause to give thanks for all that God has done for us and we reflect on the great ministries that God is doing in us, through us, and even in spite of us in the Central Texas Conference! We have been able to reach many people through our Wildly Important Goal of Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.

On Tap - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

11/21/2019

St. Barnabas UMC’s New Faith Community “On Tap” brings the Bible and some good old-fashioned fellowship out into the Arlington/Pantego community, and, when combined with craft beer and live music – the love of Jesus sometimes spills out in wonderfully unexpected ways. On Tap is a come as you are, ...

WIG Scorecards Show 21st Straight Month of Growth!

11/15/2019

The pattern of growth in the local churches of the Central Texas Conference continues! For those keeping score at home, that's the 21st consecutive month of reported growth in the Central Texas Conference! Overall, average worship attendance grew 1 percent; however, churches with a New Faith Community that began with the help of a New Faith Community Grant grew at a 1 percent clip! We now have 50 NFC grants!

Jesus Table - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative

11/13/2019

At the core of what the clergy, laity and churches of the Central Texas Conference do lies our Wildly Important Goal of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our mission involves many ministries and many pathways into relationships with our local communities – and it’s the relationship with and in the local community that Central UMC has embraced with its Jesus Table ministry.

A Call to Messy Missions - A CTC WIG Video Narrative

10/31/2019

At the core of everything we do in the Central Texas Conference is our Wildly Important Goal of Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World. While that Wildly Important Goal has led many to down obvious, straight and narrow paths toward introducing Christ to our communities and the world, sometimes it causes us to get “messy” - especially when it comes to disciple-making mission work.

WIG Video Narratives - Behind the Scenes

10/24/2019

This week, we decided to take a risk and turn the camera on ourselves and give you a quick behind the scenes peek at what goes on when we pack up, head to your church/faith community and begin to tell your story .

FUMC Burleson Family Style Worship - A CTC WIG Narrative

10/16/2019

After having discussions with church members and staff, as well as folks in the community, First United Methodist Church in Burleson, TX, realized that there was an opportunity to introduce a new way of worship to better meet the needs and comfort levels of folks who were not yet part of a faith ...

FUMC Cleburne Gather, Grow, Go Podcast - A CTC WIG New Faith Community Narrative

10/10/2019

The Central Texas Conference's Wildly Important Goal (or WIG) is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. One of the most effective and exciting ways we do this by launching New Places for New People to get to meet and know God through Jesus Christ - something the ...

WOW! First Waxahachie coordinates a day of ‘Worship Outside the Walls’

10/9/2019

First UMC Waxahachie is all about mission, community outreach and disciple-making. That’s especially evident around this time each year as the church takes the lead in coordinating WOW (Worship Outside the Walls). While an event like WOW may or may not bring new people to worship on Sundays, being a church known for outreach and an active part of the community certainly does bolster FUMC Waxahachie’s WIG efforts to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

CTC WIG - New Faith Community Workshop

10/2/2019

New Faith Communities (NFC): new places, new ways to reach new people – are vital and exciting ways that the churches of the Central Texas Conference are activating our Wildly Important Goal (WIG) to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Every size church, in every ...

FUMC Mart J.A.M. Jesus and Me - A CTC WIG New Faith Community WIG Narrative

9/25/2019

The Central Texas Conference's Wildly Important Goal (or WIG) is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. One of the most effective and exciting ways we do this by launching New Places for New People to get to meet and know God through His son Jesus Christ – aka. New ...

FUMC Crowley Messy Church - A CTC WIG New Faith Community

9/18/2019

The Central Texas Conference's Wildly Important Goal (or WIG) is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. One of the most effective and exciting ways we do this by launching New Places for New People to get to meet and know God through His son Jesus Christ. Something the CTC calls New Faith Communities. A few months ago, First United Methodist Church in Crowley, TX started one of these New Faith Community to reach out to its community in a new way called "Messy Church."

FUMC Taylor Beer & Bible - A CTC WIG New Faith Community Narrative

9/11/2019

The Central Texas Conference's Wildly Important Goal (or WIG) is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. One of the most successful ways for churches to activate the WIG and grow their church, make disciples and become a vital part of their community is by launching ...

Wesley Back to School - A New Faith Community WIG Video Narrative

9/4/2019

When asked “Why the Wesley?” a student at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX stated, "The one thing that the Wesley has done for me that I simply can't find anywhere else is the way that Jesus is so accessible to these people (college students)." Through worship nights, free lunches, popsicles and popcorn, bible studies and much more, these vital campus ministries are actively growing the next generation of leaders in the church and are enthusiastically living into our Wildly Important Goal (WIG) of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

CTC Youth in Mission - A New Faith Community WIG Video Narrative

8/27/2019

A new WIG video narrative highlights one of the many way CTCYM brings more than 1,400 youth and adults together to put Christian faith into action.

Reflect & Reconnect - A New Faith Community WIG Video Narrative from FUMC Eastland

8/21/2019

The laity of Eastland UMC wanted to revive their Wednesday night gatherings to better reach out to their community and revitalize the church in general. After much prayer, a few brainstorm meetings and a willingness to take a leap of faith, Reflect and Reconnect was born.

Shoes For Kids - A New Faith Community WIG Video Narrative from Hico UMC

8/14/2019

Sharing God’s love in a tangible way is at the heart of a movement that’s reached far beyond the walls of First United Methodist Church of Hico. You might call it a Wildly Important Goal (WIG) set by the United Methodist Women in 2006 – years before the phrase was coined and became our focus ...

WIG Scorecards Show 18th Straight Month of Growth!

8/12/2019

The pattern of growth in the local churches of the CTC continued in May 2019. Avg worship attendance is up 2% and 3% for NFCs.

THE PORCH - A New Faith Community WIG Video Narrative from FUMC Grapevine

8/7/2019

The Central Texas Conference's Wildly Important Goal (or WIG) is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. One of the most successful ways that churches are activating the WIG and growing their church in size and importance to their community is by launching New Places ...

It only takes a SPARK . . .

8/5/2019

Harker Heights UMC broke with its traditional VBS model and went outside the walls of the church and into the community to "reach families who were not already be reached" and introduce them to Jesus.

WIG Scorecards Show 17th Straight Month of Growth!

7/15/2019

The pattern of growth in the local churches of the CTC continued in May 2019. Avg worship attendance is up 2% and 5% for NFCs.

St. Stephen UMC Celebrates “Small Beginnings” with Saturday Morning B-Ball & Bible

6/5/2019

A (very) small group of two men getting together to shoot hoops and study the Bible at St. Stephen UMC has grown to 12 strong in just six weeks - only three of which were members of the church when B-Ball and Bible began.

What's ‘On Tap’ for St. Barnabas?

5/31/2019

St. Barnabas launches a New Faith Community designed to meet people where they are and get to know them while sharing the Bible and a beer.

An Amazing Time of Ministry in the Name of Jesus Christ

5/13/2019

First UMC Corsicana’s 12 Holy Week services draw more than 1,000 worshippers – a first for the 168-year-old church - including Professions of Faith and baptisms.

Gifts and Graces (from Unlikely Places)

5/1/2019

How does the death of a beloved church member turn into 20,000 meals? Maybe not how you'd expect. Sometimes, gifts and graces come from unexpected places.

Drive-Through Prayer Opens a Window for Ovilla's Outdoor Faith Community

4/16/2019

From drive-through ashes to three-days-a-week drive-through prayers to and Outdoor Worship New Faith Community, Ovilla UMC is taking Christ to the people of Ovilla and the surrounding area..

Sharing Eight Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches

4/10/2019

Mike Ramsdell shares his insights and comments on a new book focused on the things all rapidly growing churches do and do well.

Twenty Minutes of Outside Play Helped Lorena UMC’s Discipleship Efforts Really KLICK

4/5/2019

A simple idea about how to better engage children and youth has transformed Lorena UMC’s discipleship outlook and effectiveness and is producing results in worship/small group attendance, volunteers, giving and more.

Keeping Church Relevant in Groesbeck with Happy Hour Faith Talks

3/26/2019

Happy Hour Faith Talks gather young parents together each week as part of Groesbeck FUMC’s intentional efforts to “keep church relevant” to its families.

Hallelujah Food Pantry Feeds the Hungry of Hewitt in Many Ways

3/25/2019

Since 2012, volunteers from Hewitt FUMC have transformed the lives of the needy in its community by providing food, Jesus' love and eager offers fellowship and worship.

CTC Churches Continue Growth Trend; Reaching New People in New Ways

3/22/2019

The CTC experienced unprecedented growth in average worship attendance in 2018 and is currently on a 13-month growth streak thanks to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a focus on the WIG.

A Simple Way In

3/21/2019

What can happen when you open the doors of your church to a bunch of neighborhood kids to just come and play? Disciples can begin to be made, that's what.

How Fractals and Multipliers Help FUMC Round Rock Add New LifeGroups and New Disciples

3/18/2019

FUMC Round Rock is employing advanced mathematics and "passionate" laity as it prepares to launch as many as 13 New Faith Communities (or LifeGroups) on March 31 as part of “Vision 2025.”

Worship at a Church Without Walls

3/15/2019

St. Barnabas ‘bigs’ and ‘littles’ worship together at a church without walls as part of their discipleship journey by Susan Craig / photos courtesy of Lavell McCollum & St. Barnabas UMC Youth from St. Barnabas United Methodist Church made their customary, annual trip south on a recent Sunday ...