"Cluster Groups" in the Corbin District: Because of the vastness of the Corbin District (9 counties in southeastern Kentucky), and with it being 200 miles from Liberty in Casey County to Lynch in Harlan County, there was a great need for "cluster groups" across the Corbin District. We began this new ministry at the beginning of 2004.
As United Methodists, we use the word "connectionalism" to emphasize that all of our local churches are "vitally joined together" in life and ministry for the Lord. The word "cluster" and the word "close" are first cousins, that all of our local churches in Christ are "close to one another and growing together." We see this truth in a "cluster" or grapes: "close to one another and growing together." An individual grape becomes a raisin (a dead & dried up grape), but as grapes are vitally connected in clusters, they share the same life and source of vitality. Jesus teaches us in John 15:5 - "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me, and I in them, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing." Paul teaches us in I Corinthians 12:12 that the Church is a living Body with "many parts in one body," and we could paraphrase that by saying the Church is "many grapes in one cluster."
Let us pray together: "Lord Jesus, in You let all of our local churches be like a cluster of grapes, close to You and one another and growing together. Deliver us from being like a box of raisins, separated from one another and all dried up. Lord, keep us holy and healthy as we follow You together. Amen."
The town of Corbin is at the very geographical heart of the Corbin District (See Map), which makes it very convenient for the District Superintendent, but a long trip for those on the eastern (Harlan County) and western (Casey & Wayne County) sides.
Harlan County (6 Churches) already had an active "cluster group" that meets once a quarter (every 3 months) on a Sunday evening, averaging over 100 people.
We saw a need for 6 "Cluster Groups" in the Corbin District with Team Leaders:
- Harlan County - 6 Churches (5 Pastors) - Greg Wingo, Harlan UMC
- Casey County - 11 Churches (8 Pastors) - DeWayne Duncan, Liberty UMC
- Wayne County - 9 Churches (3 Pastors) - Frank Roberson , Monticello UMC
- Pulaski County - 15 Churches (14 Pastors) - Doug Wilcoxson, Somerset UMC
- Laurel County - 7 Churches (6 Pastors) - Wade Arp, London UMC
- Whitley County (7), McCreary County (3), Knox County (2), Bell County (2) 14 Churches (11 Pastors) over the 4 counties - Tim Thompson, Corbin First UMC
Our Corbin District Leadership Team and I have arranged these quarterly cluster meetings in such a way, that it will be a continuous circuit for me in my teaching and preaching ministry.
Our District Leadership Team is formed around the "5 Missional Paths" (FLOWS):
- Fellowship - Becky Wingo from Harlan County
- Learning - Joel Allen from Pulaski County
- each - Tim Thompson from Whitley County
- Whoship - DeWayne Duncan from Casey County
- Service - Albert Hughes from Bell County
During the months of February, March, and April of 2005, we have planned "Weekend Revivals" in the 6 Cluster Groups, with the schedule as follows:
February 4-6 - Pulaski County Cluster at Somerset UMC
February 11-13 - Laurel County Cluster at London UMC
March 11-13 - Casey County Cluster at Liberty UMC
March 18-20 - Wayne County Cluster at Monticello UMC
March 25-27 - Harlan County Cluster at Harlan UMC
April 22-24 - Corbin Area Cluster at Corbin First UMC
The Structure & Content of the "Weekend Revivals" in the 6 "Cluster Groups". Filled with Conferencing, Prayer, Scripture, Stewardship, and Witness as we celebrate 'FLOWS' - Fellowship, Learning, Outreach, Worship, Service.
Friday Evening - 6:00 pm "Fellowship Meal" (Breaking of Bread) - Acts 2:42
Not "pot-luck", but prepared and/or catered by the Host Church.
Cost covered by our Corbin District Fund (Connected).7:00 pm Worship Service.
Message: "God Wants Abundance in Your Life!"Saturday Evening - 5:30 pm - Pastors/Spouses Supper with Terry and Judy Faris in a time of Fellowship, Sharing, and Praying.
7:00 pm Worship Service.
Message: "God Wants Discipline in Your Life!"Sunday Morning - Terry preaching in the Worship Service at the Host Church.
Message: "God Wants Pruning in Your Life!"Sunday Evening - 7:00 pm Worship Service.
Message: "God Wants Abiding in Your Life!"
Celebration of The Lord's Supper with the elements of Bread and Grapes.
At our Corbin District "Christmas Gathering" with Pastors/Spouses/Families at Corbin First UMC on Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, the Christmas Gift for each pastor was a copy of Bruce Wilkinson's book: Secrets of the Vine: Breaking Through to Abundance. This is an excellent study of Jesus' teaching in John 15, that He is the Vine, and we are the branches.With our emphasis in the Corbin District of being "clustered and growing together," Wilkinson's book is a resource for much of the teaching and preaching during our 6 Cluster Weekend Revivals, and the book will help all of us to prepare for a wonderful time in the Lord!
