Leaders gather
Faithful United Methodists in Ruston, La., gather to envision a new, more inclusive United Methodist congregation. (Louisiana Conference Photo)
Louisiana Annual Conference | April 07, 2024
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, in the heart of downtown Ruston, next door to a vintage record store, a new harmony was being planned in the long history of United Methodism in the Lincoln Parish region.
Rev. Ashley McGuire, along with Rev. Dr. Tom Dolph, District Superintendent of the Monroe/Shreveport Districts, stood before two dozen faithful United Methodists and started dreaming of what's next.
"As much as we are here to dream together, my role is also to listen," McGuire said.
It was a moment of mutual introductions for both the faithful United Methodists and Rev. McGuire, appointed by Bishop Delores J. Williamston as the shepherd for what, at this time, is being described as a 'new movement' in Ruston.
The afternoon marked the beginning of an exciting journey of faith and community building.
A Bold New Future
One year ago, two local Methodist churches voted to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church. It was a moment that tested faith and resilience and sparked a vision for renewal.
It wasn’t long before a group of dedicated former members gathered together to begin dreaming of a new, welcoming, and inclusive faith community that honors its past while boldly stepping into the future.
Alice Higginbotham and Connie Cline were among the first to dream of what’s next in Ruston, and they, along with twenty others, were in the room today, both of them filled with hope and anticipation.
Alice and Connie were both featured in a Louisiana Conference video, and both spoke then of a desire to ensure that no one feels "left out and abandoned" after disaffiliation.
Their resolve was and remains born from a deep-rooted family history with The United Methodist Church and a personal conviction to preserve its legacy of inclusivity and support.
While Connie and Alice have been undeterred by the challenges and uncertainties of a year ago, they’ve also embraced a spirit of hope, something Connie says she tangibly experienced last year at the 2023 Annual Conference.
Alice heard Bishop Delores J. Williamston relate the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man on a mat to the plight of grieving United Methodists in the wake of disaffiliation.
“She was inspiring,” Alice said. “I realized we’re not paralyzed anymore.”
A Strategy of HōPE
Bishop Delores J. Williamston had just arrived in Louisiana as the Conference’s newest bishop when the opportunity in Ruston presented itself. It didn’t take long for the bishop with a military background to see a strategic opportunity.
“I initially noticed a large group of lay people who were passionate about staying United Methodist, serving their community, and providing a spiritual home for those who were lost,” Bishop Williamston remembers. “I’m here to tell you, if you combine those three things with the Holy Spirit, you better prepare for amazing God-type stuff to happen!”
Bishop Williamston also said the power of the laity movement in Ruston made her job, and the job of those from the Conference Office, much easier.
“In many ways, our job is to help facilitate the dreaming,” Bishop Williamston said. "And to do that, it’s more about listening than speaking. So, I am very thankful for their leadership and commitment. As we plant a new congregation built on a foundation of faithful and hopeful United Methodists, we are here to help build, equip, and connect as this community moves forward. I am excited!”
The person initially tasked with that listening – was District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Tom Dolph.
"From the beginning, there was an amazing balance in what we heard from the faithful in Ruston," Dolph said. "We heard their grief over what had been lost and their hope in what God could do. We heard their sense of placelessness and their conviction that they had a place of belonging in the UMC. We heard their weariness in fighting for what they believed it meant to be faithful and their determined perseverance born of a deep and abiding connection with God. Planting a new United Methodist presence in the Ruston area built on this foundation of faithful and hopeful United Methodists gives us much hope, excitement, and encouragement."
Equipping and Moving Forward
As the calendar turned to 2024, the Louisiana Conference cabinet saw that the time had arrived to begin building on the foundation that had been laid, connect the Ruston Faithful with the wider community, and equip this community to be a transformative presence in the area.
Enter two more people - Rev. Chad Brooks and Rev. Ashley McGuire.
Last year, Rev. Chad Brooks was appointed the Conference’s Congregational Vitality Strategist. Along with the Office of Clergy Excellence and the Cabinet, Brooks has been tasked with developing and implementing strategies for revitalization and renewal in Louisiana and identifying strategic locations for new United Methodist faith communities.
“I am excited to begin a new work in Ruston," Brooks says. "Rev. McGuire is the perfect person to be leading this work in dreaming as a missionary to the entire community. These are new times that require her relational and strategic strengths. The people already have tremendous energy and excitement for what’s to come.”
Listening
The Rev. Ashley McGuire listens to ideas for a new, more inclusive United Methodist Church in Ruston, La. (Louisiana Conference Photo)
For the past few years, McGuire has served as a Lifepath Hospice in Shreveport chaplain. Her role was one of deep emotional and spiritual support, providing comfort and guidance to patients in their final stages of life and their families. She now transitions to a more traditional pastoral role.
"But is it traditional?” McGuire jokingly asks. “It’s somewhat undefined, and that’s both exhilarating and challenging, but also exactly what’s needed right now in Ruston. And I've always been one to embrace the unknown. Honestly, I’m simply taking the lead of Rev. Dolph’s approach—'don't get in the way, let the group dream, and help when they need help.' It's about facilitating a space where the community can envision and build their future together, and I'm here to support and guide that journey with all the enthusiasm and commitment it deserves."
As the group shared snacks, they also shared the plan for those who might have an interest, and that plan is focused, for the time being, on small group gatherings, learning about the community, making connections, getting to know the people, community, needs, and resources.
A landing page has been built, and on it is a vision with clarity and passion, "Guided by faith and open hearts, we're stepping into a missional expansion led by the Holy Spirit, confident that our efforts will culminate in something profoundly impactful for Ruston, Louisiana, and the world."
It's a statement of intent that emphasizes not maintaining tradition for its own sake but creating a vibrant, inclusive faith community guided by the principles of inclusivity, hope, and a shared vision for making disciples of Jesus Christ.
As Rev. McGuire closed out the group with prayer, she reminded everyone that God was already at work in Ruston.
"God, we know that you are already present here and that you are already doing powerful things here," she prayed. "So help us figure out just exactly how each of us can be the hands and feet of Christ to reflect your love, your mercy, and your grace as United Methodists here in Ruston. God, we thank you for the relationships that are being formed here today, relationships that you will use to help build your kingdom."
The Rev. Todd Rossnagel is communications director for the Louisiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. This article is republished with permission from the conference website.