Reverend Sherri E. Barnes will lead Pfeiffer University’s Youth Theological Institute

Designed for rising sophomores, juniors and seniors who seek to become highly qualified servant leaders and may consider church vocations, YeTI will offer an opportunity to explore longstanding theological ideals and put faith into action through hands-on learning and community service. Time will be divided between Pfeiffer’s undergraduate campus in Misenheimer, N.C., where students will learn the basics of Wesleyan theology, examine God’s call in their life and participate in community service and leadership training, and serving the Haws Creek community with The Foundation for Missional Wisdom in Asheville. With funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc., in place through 2019, the program will grow from 12 students in 2016 to 36 in each subsequent year. The number of communities and nonprofit organizations to be served by YeTI will also increase annually.
“Pfeiffer University’s strategic commitment to growing the church, most notably by nurturing future generations of church leaders, reflects Lilly Endowment’s approach to grantmaking, which by design supports people’s religious lives,” said Dr. Colleen Perry Keith, Pfeiffer’s president. “Rev. Barnes, with extensive experience in youth ministry and development, is uniquely qualified to lead and administer the Youth Theology Institute as it becomes a reliable catalyst for developing high-quality church and community leaders.”
Rev. Barnes, since 2012 has served as Pfeiffer’s associate director for university and church relations and associate pastor of The Village Church, has been lead pastor of two North Carolina congregations, Marshville United Methodist Church and Bethel United Methodist Church and associate pastor for First United Methodist Church, Salisbury. She holds a master of divinity from Duke University, a bachelor of science in business administration from Youngstown State University (Ohio) and a leadership graduate certificate from Pfeiffer University. She is an Elder in full connection in the Western North Carolina Conference.
Pfeiffer University is one of 82 schools participating in the Youth Theology Institutes Initiative. The schools are located in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Although some schools are independent, many reflect the religious heritage of their founding traditions. These include Baptist, Brethren, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian and Reformed churches as well as Roman Catholic, nondenominational, Pentecostal and historic African American Christian communities.
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