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March 15, 2015 St. James and Renaissance UMC in Kansas City Begin a New Journey "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." - Unknown After 5 years of amazing and impactful ministry, Renaissance United Methodist Church, a church founded by Pastor Lia McIntosh, will continue its mission as the second campus of St. James United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III as the Lead Pastor starting Wednesday, July 1, 2015. This new arrangement ensures a future for the work God has begun through Renaissance at 7205 Longview Road, Kansas City, MO 64134. At the same time, God has been speaking about a "new thing" that's coming for St. James coupled with Dr. 3's vision of serving South Kansas City for some time. God brought these two paths together to create this opportunity for expansion and new life. The St. James Church Council has voted to accept Renaissance as its second campus and the Renaissance leadership team supports the transition. The United Methodist Missouri Annual conference will formally affirm this decision at its Annual Conference in June 2015. Over the next four months, Pastor Lia and Dr. 3 along with the pastors and staffs of Renaissance and St. James will confer and execute a detailed transition plan. While there are I's to dot and T's to cross, God is providing the vision of expansion and sustainability for St. James and Renaissance. We ask your prayers for the pastors and congregations as the next few months unfold. We will be announcing times of conversation to discuss your questions, and provide additional details in the coming months. In Christ, Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III Rev. Lia McIntosh
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions & Answers Why are we doing this? (Renaissance) Pastor Lia with the support of the Renaissance leadership began looking for potential partnerships for Renaissance when it became clear that while Renaissance's financial results are better than the average African American new church, it can not sustain both buildings (fixed expenses), and a full-time pastor expense. St. James was considered because of the cultural similarities, the affinity of worship, and the leadership of Rev. Dr. 3 to see the church into an even brighter future. Why are we doing this? (St. James) In order to reach new people you must do something new. This has been something that Dr. 3 has been preaching and teaching for several years. St. James will now have an opportunity to do just that by branching out in an area of town where the United Methodist presence needs rejuvenation. Worshipping at the Renaissance campus will allow St. James to offer an alternative style of worship, and preserve and enhance what is currently offered at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Paseo. Who will be the pastor? Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III will become the pastor of Renaissance and St. James starting Wednesday, July 1, 2015. In addition, Rev. Linda Settles, Executive Pastor, will serve both congregations until a campus pastor can be dedicated to Renaissance. The Bishop will appoint Rev. Lia McIntosh and Rev. Charity Goodwin-Rosario, to new churches. "For Renaissance to realize its potential, we encourage all worship attenders and staff to continue participating in worship and serving the community in order to bring renaissance to South Kansas City." -Pastor Lia & Pastor Charity Who will preach on Sundays? Dr. 3 will be the main preacher on Sundays at both the St. James Paseo and Renaissance campuses. While the Paseo campus may provide minimal in-kind office/maintenance supply support, the Renaissance campus is expected to be self-sustaining. As a result, the Paseo campus should not be impacted financially. Other things to expect:
- Dr. 3 will preach at Renaissance soon.
- Meetings will be scheduled to introduce the pastoral staff of St. James, as well as, allow the leadership of both churches to get to know each other
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