Church & Pastor Renewal
June 16 - August 11, 2025
Point & Preaching Pastor Schedule
For the nearly eight years during my tenure, First UMC has become a church of “Joy, Unity, and Making a Difference.” We reset the spiritual atmosphere to embrace high expectations of what God could do with our congregation. We have grown numerically and spiritually despite the pandemic, ramifications of General Conference, and the passing of over sixty members in that time frame. We are ready to re-vision a new season of growth based on a shared faith and committed relationships. To prepare for revisioning, we will participate in eight weeks of renewal, June 16 - August 11.
As allowed in our governing Book of Discipline, I will be on renewal leave and implement a personal plan of re-visioning through sabbath, study and prayer. I will grow in my understanding of re-visioning for our church by attending worship at six of the largest United Methodist Churches in Missouri with the longest tenured pastors. I will meet with each pastor to learn from their visioning and growth processes.
For the Church, you will hear from a selection of preaching pastors who have unique insight into the life and health of the church. Hearing new voices and uniting in worship and prayer will renew your hearts with mine.
I am looking forward to the next chapter at First UMC and I believe the timing and length of this renewal will serve as a launching pad for what God has planned next for our time together.
More detailed plans for the church renewal are below along with links to letters with information on the process of renewal leave in the UMC.
First United,
Pastor Tish
Pastor on Point &
Preaching Pastors
Rev. Jeff Carr, Pastor on Point, will handle all church matters during all eight weeks of Pastor Tish's renewal leave. Pastor Jeff is a retired Elder in the United Methodist Church with 40 years of pastoral experience. You can find more information about Pastor Jeff on our leadership page. He can be reached through our church office.
Click below for preaching schedule and details on the UMC Renewal Leave process.
Original Leave Request Letter from Pastor Tish
District Superintendent's Approval Letter
Finances: Our Summer Renewal leave will incur no additional costs to the church. Funds for pastoral coverage will come from Pastor Tish's pastoral support via professional expenses already accounted for in our 2025 budget. These funds will cover 1) our Pastor on Point who will handle all church matters for these eight weeks, 2) guest preaching pastors to bring new insight to the church and 3) Pastor Tish's study and travel expenses to visit churches and pastors.
