Order of the Long Leaf Pine Presented to Rev. Joe Ervin

Pastor recognized for humanitarian work through state’s highest honor
The Order of The Long Leaf Pine Society recognizes North Carolinians who demonstrate exemplary service or make exceptional contributions to the state or their communities. It is the most prestigious honor that can be bestowed upon a citizen of North Carolina. Reverend Joe Lane Ervin is now a member of this distinguished roster. He was presented the award by North Carolina Rep. Jason Saine during a church service at Boger City United Methodist Church on April 26. “I was in shock, to be honest,” Ervin said. “I was at a loss for words.” The honor was kept a secret for months prior to the ceremony. “I never dreamed of such an honor,” Ervin said. “I accepted it on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers who gave of their time and resources over the years for the betterment of others.” Ervin, 85, was born in Asheville and raised in a Methodist parsonage. He finished high school in Charlotte. He has spent 26 years of his life in Lincoln County and has a special bond with the community. He is married to Rosalyn Morris and he has two daughters and an adopted son — Susan Michael, Alice Lane Garaas and James Michael Pittman. “I have made some wonderful friends in Lincoln County,” Ervin said. “Those friendships have lasted a lifetime and I cherish them.” From 1967-1983 Ervin served as minister at Boger City United Methodist Church. “Those were 16 of the best years of my life,” Ervin said. “When I left, the bishop asked me about building ethnic minority churches based on the work I had already done.” Ervin took two months to confide in his closest friends and to pray about the proposal. In the end, he came to a conclusion and realized something about himself that he may not have previously known. “I determined that I was a people person,” Ervin said. “While I enjoy buildings, I have never had one wrap its arms around me and tell me they love me.”Within North Carolina, Ervin has helped erect churches from northeast of Greensboro to Murphy, within the bounds of the church’s conference. Many of those churches were minority churches. He has also helped build churches in Tennessee and Louisiana.
Resources for Vital Congregations
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Books
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Serve Your Neighbor
GBHEM Leadership Resources
Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Ted Talks: The Power of Vulnerability
Ted Talks: The Price of Invulnerability
Meditations on the Ministry of All Christians
DISCIPLE FORMATION:
A Disciple’s Path; A Guide for United Methodist
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Adult Christian Studies from the Wesley Ministry Network
Traveling Together: A Guide for Disciple Forming Congregations
WESLEYAN STUDIES:
Living As United Methodist Christians
Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials
Reclaiming our Wesleyan Tradition: John Wesley’s Sermons for Today
John Wesley Sermons: Anthology
REACHING PEOPLE:
Evangelism & Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit
Fresh Expressions: Dinner Church
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Reach New Disciples
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: 50 Ways to Reach People
Community: The Structure of Belonging
RESOURCES TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY:
GRANTS:
The Royce and Jane Reynolds Ministry Fund Grants
OTHER:
The Appalachian District Church Vitality Team has been prayerfully seeking ways to help support you and the ministries of your local congregation during this COVID-19 pandemic. Together they have diligently researched and connected with others throughout the conference and our denomination to identify resources and offer them to you. We hope they will be helpful to you and bless you greatly in leading your churches and communities through this unprecedented time. We are very grateful to the District Vitality Team and other contributors for their great work on this resource.
This faithful team has created three documents, two of which you are receiving today. They include:
- Family Home Worship – designed to help families establish a regular worship space within their homes as well as a time where they can worship together.
- Tech Strategies – to help guide you in selecting effective tools and resources within your budget to best communicate in the digital world.
We believe these resources will be of great benefit to you. Also know that the District Vitality Team is available to answer any questions you might have in regards to the documents attached. If you have questions, you may email Rev. Howard Fleming at hfleming@wnccumc.net.
- Resources