By RJ Walters, Editor
Rev. Julie Dix’s desire to bring hope and joy through spreading the message of Jesus Christ in the city made her a natural fit as the new executive director for Grand Rapids Metro Ministry in July.
Half a year later her leadership has sparked creative ideas through a ministry outlet that has addressed issues such as church development, affordable housing and hunger since 1954 in a city that is home to nearly 20 United Methodist congregations.
“What is so marvelous about this particular call and particular role right now is that I am able to be in a place where Metro is connected with many congregations all working toward the same goal,” said the ordained UMC elder and deacon.
Making urban ministry stronger
There’s plenty of strategic planning to be done in Grand Rapids to create more efficient, cost-effective ministry models.
Dix said she is working closely with the Grand Rapids district office to determine which declining congregations are in buildings too large to support in the future and vice versa.
“Are these big old buildings serving as tools for ministry now or have they become just burdens that are leaking the energy and joy out of ministries that are really bubbling and just waiting to happen?” she said.
She said with the help of the Urban Ministry Task Force the district is looking at the possibility of implementing a two-year urban training course developed by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM).
The training would focus on topics such as urban theology, urban evangelism, eradication of racism, leadership development and community economic development.
The GBGM would come in and interview church leaders and help them articulate specific needs and how to move forward.
“This will get (congregations) to talk more about their own struggles, their own successes, what works here and there,” Dix said.
Difficult, but necessary progress
Over the years Olivet UMC transitioned from an “all-Caucasian church” to one that caters mainly to the African American and Hispanic population.
The congregation was down to around 20 people, still worshipping in a building constructed for a much larger audience.
Rev. Julie Dix’s desire to bring hope and joy through spreading the message of Jesus Christ in the city made her a natural fit as the new executive director for Grand Rapids Metro Ministry in July.
Half a year later her leadership has sparked creative ideas through a ministry outlet that has addressed issues such as church development, affordable housing and hunger since 1954 in a city that is home to nearly 20 United Methodist congregations. “What is so marvelous about this particular call and particular role right now is that I am able to be in a place where Metro is connected with many congregations all working toward the same goal,” said the ordained UMC elder and deacon.
Making urban ministry stronger
There’s plenty of strategic planning to be done in Grand Rapids to create more efficient, cost-effective ministry models.
Dix said she is working closely with the Grand Rapids district office to determine which declining congregations are in buildings too large to support in the future and vice versa.
“Are these big old buildings serving as tools for ministry now or have they become just burdens that are leaking the energy and joy out of ministries that are really bubbling and just waiting to happen?” she said.
She said with the help of the Urban Ministry Task Force the district is looking at the possibility of implementing a two-year urban training course developed by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM).
The training would focus on topics such as urban theology, urban evangelism, eradication of racism, leadership development and community economic development.
The GBGM would come in and interview church leaders and help them articulate specific needs and how to move forward.
“This will get (congregations) to talk more about their own struggles, their own successes, what works here and there,” Dix said.
Difficult, but necessary progress
Over the years Olivet UMC transitioned from an “all-Caucasian church” to one that caters mainly to the African American and Hispanic population.
The congregation was down to around 20 people, still worshipping in a building constructed for a much larger audience.
