Adam Hamilton speaks...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
... and the United Methodist Church listens.
I don't think it is an overstatement to say that the Rev. Adam Hamilton has become a force within the United Methodist Church. Hamilton's Church of the Resurrection in suburban Kansas City, MO, has an average Sunday attendance of 7,500 worshipers (and a membership of almost twice that). His books - on topics as diverse as preaching, marriage preparation, church growth, and contemporary ethics - sell thousands of copies around the country. Hamilton's church also hosts a number of conferences throughout the year around areas like nurturing pastoral leadership and renewing the mainline church. There are a few bigger churches than Hamilton's in Methodism, but I doubt any have the influence that his has come to have.
On his blog this past June, Hamilton announced an intriguing project that will be carried out over the next six to seven years. He wants to visit all sixty-six annual conferences within the U.S. in order to present a three-part workshop series, covering the topics of: Essentials of Leadership, Improving Preaching and Worship, and Evangelism & Outreach in the United Methodist Tradition. Take note that this is essentially an episcopal function that Hamilton says he is going to claim. In the Christian tradition, the teaching office in the church is located most fully in the bishops. And in the Methodist tradition, those bishops are supposed to be true itinerants. So Hamilton is basically saying that he is going to exercise the itinerant episcopal office (though without the power to appoint, of course!) Don't think I'm exaggerating here; Hamilton invokes the itinerant episcopacy when discussing his plans on his blog post.
Clearly, Hamilton believes he's doing something right and he wants to share it with the rest of the connection. He came to Duke Divinity School a few days ago to share some of his views at the annual Pastor's School and Convocation, and I got to hear him. In my current UM Reporter column, I share some of my reflections on hearing him. Hamilton has the ability to come across as high-energy but with an intense focus and calm demeanor. As I say in the column, it is a bit like a combination of a preacher, CEO, practical theologian, and motivational speaker all rolled into one.
The part of Hamilton's talk at Duke that stuck with me the most was around the theme of "leading by example," where he talked about the need for pastors to be willing to go themselves where they wanted to lead their congregations. He talked about the need not only to inform when it comes to mission and outreach, but to inspire through story and personal example. Like any visible, large church pastor, Hamilton attracts both praise and criticism. For myself, I've always contended that he probably does mega-church ministry as well as it can be done. And I admire his willingness to pursue Wesley's original mission for Methodism: To reform the nation, and particularly the church, and to spread scriptural holiness over these lands.
Labels: Adam Hamilton, Church of the Resurrection, Duke Divinity School, Episcopacy, UMC
posted by Andrew C. Thompson at 9:18 PM
6 Comments:
I agree with your take on the teaching mission to all annual conferences. It is an episcopal function. Worth noting is that he has "street cred" on those subjects that many (though certainly not all) of our bishops lack.
I'll look forward to your reflections, Andrew. I myself have both praise and criticism for Hamilton. I appreciate much--his thoughtful social ethics, holding together evangelicalism and social justice, bringing out the best of the Methodist tradition in the shape of his church, among other things. Unfortunately, like many of the "successful" heirs of our workaholic founder, he seems to take up this practice as well (and seemed to recommend it in Leading Beyond the Walls--minus that, an excellent book on leadership).
Thanks for this post, Andrew. The more I learn of/from Adam Hamilton, the more overall favorably I understand him and his work.
One of my main concerns right now is that he and Mike Slaughter and other UM mega-church pastors seems very energized to do something for our denomination. I think it is not enough to let the "big-church" pastors re-make the denomination; but that the rest of us have a stake as well, in doing what it takes to renew and re-make the UMC.
In the few months I've been a local church pastor, I've studied Mike Slaughter and Ginghamsburg more than Hamilton's COR (though I appreciated Hamilton's thoughtful and practical preaching book). What I like about Ginghamsburg is its intense focus on mission. They focus their energy and financial resources on those most in need, both spiritually and physically.
I'm not sure how much these guys want to "remake" the UMC. I think they have significant influence by simple virtue of their church size, writing, and speaking schedules. And they'll do the job that bishops won't do, so be it.
I think they have the RESPONSIBILITY to get in our Annual Conferences and show slacker pastors how to get to work. My sense is that many pastors - and churches! - are comfortable with chaplain style ministry. The more I study, pray, and try to lead a declining congregation toward mission-based growth, the more I appreciate leaders like Slaughter and Hamilton who have taken risks for the sake of the gospel.
Andrew, you didn't mention the recent gathering Hamilton pulled together, too. As you know, he gathered the pastors of the 100 largest American United Methodist churches. They plan to meet again...I think he blogged about it.
I am appreciate Rev. Hamilton's leadership and his passionate determination to spearhead a revival within United Methodism. I recently attended Leadership Institute at Church of the Ressurection and I strongly endorse it.
The size of your congregation is irrelevant; you don't need to be a mega church to apply the things they have learned at COR. They didn't start out as a mega-church in an affluent suburb. When Adam Hamilton started COR he didn't have a building, or even a congregation. His Bishop appointed him to his idea, and that idea is still multiplying 18 years later.
Several small churches were highlighted at LI; some were even given awards. Each had been in steady decline for years, but after attending LI the previous year, they applied what they learned and those dying churches have become vital again.
Guys like Adam Hamilton and Mike Slaughter have intentionally set very high expectations and challenged for the members of their congregations, and their churches thrive! Those small churches I mentioned, just like COR and Ginghamsburg, set similar high expectations and experienced an increasing commitment from their members.
There is something - ummm - "Methodist" about that.
I find it hopeful to know that United Methodism can thrive in our times. I agree with the premise of your article; we will do well to listen carefully to what Adam Hamilton has to say. In fact, I advise everyone to take notes.
I appreciate "anonymous's" comments on EXPECTATIONS. American churches HATE expectations...or at least say they do. I don't even think it's worth calling this an elephant in the room; it's almost an article of faith.
Example: I mentioned something as basic as a new member class ("New Member Orientation" as I call it) to my Church Council within my first two months. One guy (the constant pessimist) said, "Well, we don't want to scare people away."
I'm convinced that LOW EXPECTATIONS are driving people away. Better said, low expectations enable people to drift away.
As I think about, however, maybe churches don't really have low expectations; maybe we do have high expectations, i.e. that outsiders are highly expected to hold the low commitment level we insiders hold (and will do our bidding).
Cynical? A little... ;)
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