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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
April 2005 |
Hoosier picked for church growth, evangelism counsel
INDIANAPOLIS - A retired Hoosier pastor was recently chosen by The Foundation For Evangelism to serve Indiana. The Foundation is an affiliate of the General Board or Discipleship of The United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Carver McGriff, former senior pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, serves as one of eleven staff ministers on behalf of the Foundation. McGriff told Together that he is available for consultation in church growth and evangelism for individual churches and groups of churches. His special ministry is financed through expenses and modest honoraria paid by churches using his services.
In recent years, McGriff has visited many well known growing churches in America such as Saddleback, Willow Creek and Southland Christian churches. He also has spent time with pastors of various denominations and has stayed up-to-date with 21st century churches.
Before retirement in 1993, McGriff was senior minister of St. Luke's Church for 26 years. When appointed in 1967, St. Luke's had 900 members. When he left in 1993, there were 4,300 members. Average weekly attendance grew from 316 to 1,850 worshippers. Since retirement, McGriff taught ethics for one year in the business school of Butler University.
McGriff has written eight books including a three volume series Lectionary Preaching Workbook (1998-2001), Amazing Grace: Indiana Methodism 1801 to 2001, and most recently, The Passion Driven Congregation, which he co-authored with the Rev. Kent Millard, current senior pastor of St. Luke's Church. (Log on to www.cokesbury.com.)
With the support of Indiana Area Bishop Michael Coyner, McGriff says his main interest is seeing The United Methodist Church grow. He says, "I'm convinced that every church can grow given the right conditions. Sometimes an outsider can bring a new perspective that can help a pastor and church leaders see changes which can make a difference."
If your congregation seeks to grow and needs assistance in obtaining that goal, McGriff may be able to help you. He can be contacted by e-mail at carvermcgriff@hotmail.com, by phone at 317-873-6675 or by mail at 20 South 6th Street, Zionsville, IN 46077.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008