August 22, 2025
Dear Resurrection Family,
I’ve been thinking about all of our children, youth and young adults going back to school this week, as my granddaughter, Stella, began middle school – how the time flies! I spent part of this week and last at Oxford University, where I’ll take you in this weekend’s sermon, the second of three sermons from England.
We’re focusing on John Wesley this month at Resurrection, the 18th-century founder of the Methodist movement, and the history, theology and spirituality that define Methodism. In addition to the sermons from England, I’ve had a terrific time the last two weeks leading different groups on a pilgrimage exploring the story of Wesley and the sites important in his life and in shaping the Methodist movement. The first group was a group of youth and young adults from Resurrection, and the second group, which just left yesterday, was young United Methodist pastors from across the US who are in a mentoring program we lead at Resurrection. Here’s a picture of the young clergy, along with myself, Scott Chrostek, Debi Nixon, who helped organize and lead this group. We’re sitting on a grassy knoll where John Wesley attended a Bible study at which his heart was “strangely warmed” as he trusted in Christ – a very famous event in his life that I’ll share with you a week from this Sunday.
This weekend, 260 Resurrection members and 20 from other congregations will arrive in England as I lead the last of these Methodist Heritage tours. I’ll be back in KC after that, but in the meantime, I’ll take you with me to all of the Wesley sites these folks are visiting by means of the sermons this weekend and next.
THIS WEEKEND FROM OXFORD: DOING ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, A FAITH FOR CRITICAL THINKERS, AND METHODISM’S SOCIAL ACTION
In this weekend’s sermon, I’ll take you to Oxford, one of the most consequential universities in the world. It was there that a young John Wesley and his hymn-writing brother, Charles, went to college, seminary and were ordained. It was also there 300 years ago this summer that John Wesley decided to “do all for the glory of God.” Several years later, in 1729, Wesley, now an instructor and fellow at Oxford’s Lincoln College, began meeting with a small group of students to help them to also live for the glory of God. I’ll take you on a tour of Christ Church, the college Wesley attended (though today better known for its building, having been the pattern for Hogwarts in Harry Potter!). Then we’ll visit Lincoln College, where Methodism began, and I’ll speak to you from the University Church of Oxford, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin. I’ll share a bit of the sermon Wesley preached that led to him never being invited to preach there again. And finally, I’ll take you to the Oxford Castle Prison, where the Wesley brothers would visit the prisoners. All of this teaches us something about how we’re meant to live our lives today. This is a very special sermon that captures some important parts of who we are at Resurrection and why we do what we do. Don’t miss it!
DON’T MISS SCREEN SANITY THIS WEDNESDAY
I hope you’re planning to join us, either at one of our locations or online, for this special program on Wednesday, August 27. I know I can benefit from practical strategies for managing technology in my life, and I imagine most of you could also. Led by Kansas City non-profit Screen Sanity, we’ll be talking about things from smartphone boundaries to social media safety, and we’ll have several practical ways you can better manage your screens to boost your overall digital health. The program is suggested for those 18 and older, and we will have childcare at some locations. Click here for location and virtual details and to register.
HOW ARE YOU CONNECTING IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY THIS FALL?
Wherever you are on your faith journey, fall is the perfect time to explore the variety of options at Resurrection to connect with others and grow in faith. Whether through small groups, Bible studies, Men’s Groups or Women’s groups, we have opportunities for everyone.
- Small groups meet regularly to learn and grow together.
- Bible studies offer focused times to dive deeper into God’s word.
- New Monday Night Bible Fellowship gathering, which will be a drop-in, large group Bible study.
Classes and groups are starting up in September, and you’ll find detailed information on our
website.
THE DWELLING: A COMMUNITY FOR YOUNG ADULTS
The Dwelling, our weekly gathering for young adults in their 20s and 30s, is resuming on Tuesday, September 2, at 7 pm at Resurrection Leawood. The Dwelling meets every Tuesday for discussion and connection, plus regular social events throughout the year. Whether you’re curious about faith, have questions about what you believe, or are simply looking to connect with others, you’ll find a place at The Dwelling. You can learn more
here.
CELEBRATING RESURRECTION’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY: T-SHIRTS AND SERVICE
Plans are in the works for the celebration of Resurrection’s 35th Anniversary in October. You’ll be hearing more about this in the coming months, but we want to share an opportunity now for you to be a part of the celebration. We are taking orders now for a special Resurrection t-shirt. This shirt features the new vision of the United Methodist denomination and represents who we strive to be as a church. If you’d like to purchase one, you can do so starting today, T-shirts are $13 each, and you can order online her and pick them up at the Resurrection location closest to you, or if you would prefer, you can order directly from our vendor GOEX and have shirts shipped directly to your home (with additional shipping and processing fees). Orders will need to be placed by no later than Sunday, Sept. 7, for pick up on Sunday, Sept. 21. You’ll find the size guide and order information for Resurrection pick-up here, and for ordering for shipping here.
You’ll be hearing more about this in the coming weeks, but one of the ways we are celebrating 35 years of Resurrection is by challenging ourselves to give 35,000 hours of service to our community during the month of October. We’ll have churchwide and location opportunities to serve, but also a way you and your friends and family can serve independently in your neighborhoods and log your hours. This is a big goal and will require each of us to step up and be part of demonstrating what it means to follow Jesus and be his hands and feet in our community. Watch for details and opportunities coming on our webpage resurrection.church/anniversary.
LOCATION ANNIVERSARIES THIS MONTH
Speaking of anniversaries, while we are all part of Resurrection’s 35th anniversary, we have some other special milestones this month. This month, Resurrection West,our second location, celebrates 19 years, Resurrection Blue Springs celebrates 15 years, and Resurrection Overland Park celebrates 6 years. Resurrection Spring Hill will celebrate its first anniversary in September. We are all part of Resurrection, one church in multiple locations, and each of our locations plays a unique role in caring for and serving its community. I am grateful for congregations, pastors and staff at each of these locations.
STRUCTURAL STEEL GOING UP FOR NEW WESLEY CHAPEL AT LEAWOOD
Yesterday, I started receiving photos from our staff and members as the structural steel for the new Wesley Chapel at Leawood began going up. This chapel, our permanent Leawood Chapel, will hold most weddings, funerals, special baptismal services, 7:30 am service and countless other special events for generations to come. It should be completed a year from now. Below are a few photos from different angles that you can click on to enlarge. You can also follow the progress on the live webcam here.
WHY CHURCH? 35TH ANNIVERSARY SURVEY
As I shared with you earlier this week, our focus during October, when Resurrection turns 35 years old, will be on the question, “Why Church?” We’ll look at what sociologists, medical researchers, you as members of Resurrection, and the Bible have to say about why, in an age of waning church attendance across America, church matters. If you haven’t yet, could you please take a minute and help me gather input for this series by taking this short survey about how the church impacts your life? Here’s the survey link.
MAKING SENSE OF FAITH PODCAST: JOHN WESLEY’S SOCIAL MINISTRY
On my podcast, Making Sense of Faith, this week, I will take you on a tour through the museum at the New Room in Bristol – the first Methodist building Wesley constructed in 1739. The museum highlights some of the social ministry of the early Methodists and includes Wesley’s room, where he stayed when in Bristol. We’ll explore how John Wesley’s willingness to break religious conventions created a global movement that connected coal miners to causes like anti-racism, women’s rights, and environmental stewardship. You can listen to or watch and share it with friends by clicking here.
RESURRECTION FOUNDATION 2024 IMPACT
I recently met with the son of one of our members. His father had recently died. He came to tell me how his father had designated a tithe of his estate, ten percent, to Resurrection to be invested and used by the foundation to continue to have an impact long after his death. LaVon and I have named Resurrection in our will and estate plan, as have hundreds of you. Our Resurrection Foundation has released its 2024 Impact Report, a beautiful reflection of how legacy gifts are shaping the future of our church. You can view it digitally using this link. The Resurrection Foundation plays an important role in supporting Resurrection’s mission and vision for the future. The stories in this report show the powerful ripple effect that one act of generosity can have: not just for the church today, but for generations to come. Remembering the church in your estate plans is a meaningful and personal decision. If you feel moved to learn more or take the next step, the Foundation team would love to connect with you. Let us know how we can support your legacy intentions by calling 913-232-4113 or emailing foundation@resurrection.church.
I look forward to taking you to Oxford this weekend!
