Alfred White is North Central District lay leader and a member of First UMC Coppell.

One of my favorite sayings is: If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

I would credit the originator of the quote, but when I have researched the origin of the phrase, there is controversy over who said it first. I am not sure of the original circumstances in which the quote was said, but I have developed my own context.

And the MinistySafe System that the North Texas Conference has adopted is something I think we must stand for because it is an important initiative to prevent child sexual abuse in our churches.

This system implements methods for increasing staff and volunteer awareness regarding sexual abuse of children, youth and the vulnerable when they participate in church-related programs throughout the North Texas Conference.

What is MinistySafe? MinistySafe Abuse and Prevention Systems offers sexual abuse awareness training (live and online) to assist child care providers and organizations in the design and implementation of systems to reduce the risk of sexual abuse.

Who does MinistySafe protect? The NTC Center for Leadership Development believes that MinistySafe will provide an improved, comprehensive program to ensure that all children, youth and vulnerable people have a safe haven and that our churches are a place of sacred trust and security.

How long has MinistySafe been in effect? The NTC Center for Leadership Development proposed, and it was passed at the 2012 North Texas Annual Conference, that all congregations implement MinistySafe (training of staff/volunteers, policies and procedures, online maintenance) by January 1, 2013.

Why are we changing to MinistySafe? On April 1, 2012, the NTC changed insurance carriers to MHBT. The insurer requires that NTC have a consistent, comprehensive safety prevention system for all the congregations; MinistySafe is the official resource for safety awareness.

More details coming soon! The transition to MinistySafe initially requires a significant amount of time. However, the long-term benefits of becoming more aware and helping to safeguard against potential incidents will create confidence about the safety for our children, youth and vulnerable adults.

More information is available on the conference website at www.ntcleadingfromthecenter.org/ministry-safe.

Our children, youth and vulnerable adults are precious gifts from God, and while the explicit set of requirements demanded by MinistySafe may seem extreme or outrageous, we have to be prepared to do these things, and more, if it means a safe, comfortable environment for our children and the vulnerable.

Linda Parks, the North Texas Conference Lay Leader, arranges the guest laity columns. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.

I'm sure you've heard the joke, "You might be a United Methodist if you've ever attended Annual Conference and actually enjoyed it."

It's OK. You can call me weird because I'm one of those folks who do like and look forward to Annual Conference. For four years, I was on the planning team and got up close and personal with the workings of Annual Conference. Two of those years, I was planning team chair, which came with the responsibility of timekeeper in an attempt to keep everyone on schedule.

Keeping everyone within their designated time slot is next to impossible. Sometimes people just have more to say, or unexpected guests or events pop up.

The highlight is catching up with pastors who previously served my home church. And visiting and meeting laity from other parts of the conference is a fun way to experience our connection. Worship with inspiring preachers and uplifting music is a thrill, and I come away with a renewed spirit. It is also exciting to learn about ministries going on in other parts of the conference.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think Annual Conference is perfect. And I agree with the majority on the need to improve it.

Two years ago I was part of the Nehemiah Group, created to dissect the way we conduct Annual Conference. Through this process, we began to imagine a renewed Annual Conference gathering. Last year, the group's recommendations were accepted by the Annual Conference.

Now we are ready to embark on the goals set forth by the Nehemiah Group. And this year's Annual Conference Planning Team has put together a conference that will stimulate our imaginations.

At our laity session, we will start using our imagination with a youth-led devotion and a touching memorial to Annual Conference lay members who have died in the last year. We will include a look at the "Culture of Call" and "Laity Ministry Outside the Four Walls," and conclude with a dinner discussion imagining what a church can do if it has no boundaries.

Annual Conference members, be sure to go to www.ntc2013.org and register for the conference and meals, and make a toolbox selection. Come to Annual Conference ready to participate in fellowship, experience inspiring worship, be energized by presenters and start using your imagination to be a part of the world God imagines.

And you, too, can become a United Methodist who went to Annual Conference and actually enjoyed it.

Linda Parks is the North Texas Conference Lay Leader. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.

Carly Collida is a member of Wesley UMC in Greenville and East District youth lay leader for the North Texas Conference.

My name is Carly Collida and I’m a senior at Celeste High School. My school has around 150 students and does not have the resources to offer any extracurricular programs for students other than sports. I was immensely grateful when I became a Methodist in the seventh grade and found that the opportunities for youth are practically endless.

I began small by becoming involved within my own church -- our leadership team, handbell choir and youth choir. When I learned that I could get involved outside of that, I jumped at the chance.

I have been a member of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries board for our North Texas Conference and the East District youth lay leader for two years. I've found both of these positions to be fantastic ways to have a voice within the North Texas Conference and learn about the goings-on of our church.

Just a few years ago, I had no idea that we were even in a conference, what a district was or who our bishop was. Through my role on CCYM and the Board of Laity, I have expanded my knowledge on the church tremendously.

In addition to leadership, one of the areas I feel most passionately about within our church is mission work. Through my youth choir, which is a part of Youth Cue (a nonprofit, nondenominational organization that puts on youth choir concerts across America), I became involved with International Youth Cue, where youth from North America traveled to Toronto to perform for the public, nursing homes and homeless shelters.

Through my home church, I have done mission work in Oklahoma, Arkansas and many places in Texas. Mission work has truly changed my life, and I feel that our church does a fantastic job making it a priority. Not only does it change someone's life, but it also shows that youth have the ability to change a life.

I am truly blessed to be a part of The United Methodist Church. My life has been changed so significantly since I became a member. I'm grateful for the opportunities the conference has given to me and so many other youth, and I am truly excited to see how else we can be included in the future. Obviously, our church is not perfect, but I feel that our progress is a testament to our faith and dedication, and I am beyond excited to be a part of that progress.

Linda Parks, the North Texas Conference Lay Leader, arranges the guest laity columns. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.

Melba Harris is the laity leader of the East District of the North Texas Conference.

I had decided that I would not take advantage of the opportunity to write a laity column, but I would pray about it anyway. But as I prayed about it, God said yes. So since He said yes, I had to trust Him to lead me in what to write today.

Laity are in partnership with pastors in carrying out the mission of the church, which is telling the good news of Jesus. As good Methodists, we say it this way: "We are to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." I do believe that if we make disciples of Jesus Christ, we do transform the world.

Think of how different our country would be if the majority of people who  led our government, schools, companies and other organizations were Christians who spent time asking God about the right decision to make for any issue before us. Think of how different our world would be.

What God says is the right decision is not always what appeals to us, but we just have to trust God. Think of how different  our churches would be if in a dispute, all parties took time to pray and see how the Spirit leads them on which decision to make.

There have been times that I have apologized to people although I was dead right on my issue. God said to apologize, and many times the apology is as much for you as it is for the person you apologize to. I found in humbling myself to apologize, my heart was changed. Although I was dead right on my issue, my attitude was not.

In marriage, it takes a lot of love and forgiveness for it to work well. So it is with the church or any other organization. Human nature does not have a propensity to forgive. It is an act that is Spirit-led and accomplished. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we have to ask God about everything.

God is concerned about everything that concerns us, for the Bible tells us to cast all of our care upon Him for He cares for us.

When I was a babe in Christ, I only asked Him about the things that I really thought were important, the big things.

Now I ask him about everything, and my life is so much more peaceful. He knows my past, present and future. I don’t have to come up with the answer — He does that for me. All I have to do is listen and obey.

As we, the laity, go out to do mission, we are Jesus Christ to the world. We cannot really be Jesus Christ to the world if we do not listen to what God, the Great Conductor, instructs us to do day by day, moment by moment.

As we tell the good news of Jesus in our words, we must also give the message in what we do. Let’s be intentional about making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Linda Parks, the North Texas Conference Lay Leader, arranges the guest laity columns. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.

I had just finished reading the chapter titled “Why Can’t I See God’s Will for My Life?” from Adam Hamilton’s book Why? Making Sense of God’s Will, and one thought kept resonating with me: Throughout the day, seek to pay attention. God is going to place opportunities in front of you daily as a way to use you.

I just didn’t realize how quickly I would have that opportunity.

We have a free Sunday morning breakfast ministry for the poor and homeless, and it was my Sunday school class’s turn to host, cook and serve. Besides all the pancakes they can eat, folks attending participate in prayer, scripture reading and a short message. They receive food for the body and for the soul.

A couple of months earlier, our church newsletter included information about one of the regular ladies at breakfast losing her home in a fire before Christmas and requested donations. I was fairly sure one of the women this morning was the one I had read and heard about.

I kept remembering the line in the book “throughout the day, seek to pay attention.” Going up to her and asking about the loss of her home was way out of my comfort zone.

The morning was beginning to wind down, and many folks had left so I decided to ask her if she was the one who had lost her home and how things were going. I was relieved to find out it wasn’t her.

I continued to make my usual rounds visiting with those still there and asking how they were doing or if there was anything else they might need.

Then I came to one gentleman who was eating alone. He told me that he was tired. I thought he might be tired because he didn’t get much sleep the night before or had been working long hours.

Casually, I said that I was sorry, made some comment about not sleeping well and started to move on to the next person. With a sad, lost look on his face, he looked up at me and quietly said, “No, I’m tired of doing drugs.”

It was like I had walked into a brick wall. Now was the time God wanted me to pay attention. He wanted to use me, just an occasional volunteer, to be there and minister to this man.

I sat down and listened and listened and listened. We finished our time together that morning with me praying for him, promising that my Sunday school class would pray for him and connecting him with the minister for help and counseling.

Every time I remember this experience, I’m reminded that when I sought to pay attention, God used an ordinary person outside of her comfort zone to do His work and will.

You too can be that person whom God uses as you go throughout your day and seek to pay attention.

Linda Parks is the North Texas Conference Lay Leader. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.

Hope Rouse, a member of First UMC Wichita Falls and the Conference Council of Youth Ministries, is this edition’s guest columnist.

Hope Rouse

Everyone knows that person in the congregation who is the ideal.

That person is in the pew or the choir loft every Sunday without fail. That person is at every luncheon, concert and chili cook-off. That person is almost irritating for doing everything and always having the right answers at Bible study. Well, this is me.

I’m in the praise band, in the choir, and I even won a perfect attendance award my sixth-grade year. I did everything I could and was allowed to do. If a volunteer was needed, my hand was up in the air before the question was asked. I was my idea of an ideal church member. If someone needed an example to follow, I was it.

Until one day, a visitor came walking into Bible study with the proposition of joining this thing called CCYM. Well, of course I wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity to do more tasks within the church. I went to this thing called Youth Annual Conference with a few members of my church. They spoke of “legislation” and “districts.” It was a strange place filled with these weird creatures who were so welcoming and happy to be having a huge business meeting. They were so welcoming that they elected me to their Conference Council of Youth Ministries (whatever that meant).

I left with a bigger list of responsibilities and more meetings to attend than a CEO. Then I went to this even bigger business meeting called Annual Conference, where I noticed there was a whole other world that I had never known about. It was almost like an alien planet.

I became immersed. I found that I had become one of them. By the end, I had added 200 words to my vocabulary and was forever changed. All my life I had thought that my church was it. But when I entered that new place with a new language and 900 committees, I discovered that I wasn’t doing all that I could.

In fact, I was doing an infinitesimal amount compared with my fellow CCYM members. It’s not as though what I was doing wasn’t important, but that there was so much more to do. I hadn’t reached my full potential. All I had ever wanted to do is reach my potential in the church and do every possible thing.

If I’ve learned anything from joining CCYM and the Board of Laity, it’s that I am not doing enough. I will never be able to do enough, but I can strive. Even with what I am involved in, it’s not enough. There’s always more that I can do, that you can do and that we can do to be the best we can.

Linda Parks, the North Texas Conference Lay Leader, arranges Hello North Texas. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.

Kelly Carpenter, the NTC children, youth and young adult coordinator, is this edition’s guest columnist.

Kelly Carpenter

I am often asked what is happening with our children, youth and young adults, so here is a sampling. This year is off to a fantastic start with Perkins School of Youth Ministry, an all-conference youth director gathering, children’s director gathering at C2K/ Tyler Street, two mid-winter retreats, the Bishop’s Rally — and that was just through February!

Now we are about to see churches across the conference set off on spring break trips, from skiing to superstorm Sandy recovery.

Youth Annual Conference is April 5-7 at Bridgeport Camp and will be an excellent event for your youth council or up to six of your best youth leaders. The theme for 2013 is “Compassion: Make It a Habit,” incorporating eye-opening opportunities to develop ourselves into more compassionate Christians. We will experience a variety of worship styles, leadership development and a closing message from Bishop Mike McKee.

Youth Annual Conference is also a time for youth elections and legislative sessions. Our Conference Council on Youth Ministry is also accepting applications for new members (current sixth-11th graders), Youth Service Fund recipients (nominate any nonprofit group engaged in ministry by and/ or for children and youth) and Youth Annual Conference legislation.

And that is all just one event in April!

We’re also gearing up for the Young Adult Intramural Sports Spring Season, Young Adult Director Gathering, Children’s Director’s Gathering in Royse City in May, Annual Conference, Vacation Bible Schools, mission trips, summer camp at Bridgeport (filling up fast!), Texas Youth Academy, Perkins Youth School of Theology, Youth Ministry Volunteer training, Camp Bible in September (third-fifth graders).

There is a lot to do as we live our faith into action. We look at each event and ask ourselves “Why?” Are we developing principled Christian leaders for the future of our church and world? Are we building followers of Christ who consider their life choices a response to God’s call? Have you noticed God working in the life of a young person around you? Have you asked them what their plans are and how their faith is a part of that calling?

The young people of North Texas need everyone’s investment and support to become our leaders, teachers, ministers and faithful Christians in their schools and careers. I was reminded as we baptized a newborn in church Sunday of the vows we all take as members of a local congregation to help raise and mentor the children of our communities. Have you kept that promise? The work of children, youth and young adult ministry is the work of all of us.

Linda Parks, the North Texas Conference Lay Leader, arranges Hello North Texas. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.

Have you ever thought about serving in a North Texas Conference leadership role or know someone who should? If so, now is the time to act.

In 2012, the NTC began using a process that puts nominations in the hands of Annual Conference members and not just the group serving on the Nominating Committee.

The focus and responsibility for nominations is now shifted from the committee to individual members, clergy and laity.

The Leadership Nominations Booklet spells out the committees, open positions and requirements, and is a good place to research the opportunities and decide where you can best serve. Once you see a position — or several — that interests you, you can submit a profile sheet to the Office of the Assistant to the Bishop by March 1. The profile sheet includes basic information that will allow the Nominations Committee to place the most qualified person into a vacancy.

The clergy profile sheet will go to the district superintendent for approval/ comment/signature, and the laity profile sheet goes to the local pastor for approval/ comment/signature. Next, the profile sheet goes to the Office of the Assistant to the Bishop to be made available for the Nominating Committee to use.

Profile sheets for currently filled positions also can be submitted and will be kept should a vacancy occur.

Nominating Committee recommendations go to the Core Leadership Team and Extended Cabinet to assure that the report adheres to the church’s commitment to inclusiveness and represents NTC membership. The Nominations Report will then be presented at District Conferences preceding the Annual Conference.

Additional nominations can be made from the floor when the Nominations Report is presented to the Annual Conference.

I want to encourage you to consider our vacancies, select an area of interest best utilizing your gifts and submit a profile sheet.

Linda Parks, the North Texas Conference Lay Leader, compiles Hello North Texas. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.

Within one week, I experienced several facets of the United Methodist Church.

The first aspect of the UMC was in my local church on Sunday morning – Sunday school and worship. The title of the sermon was “Bearing Fruit,” based on the scripture Matthew 7:15-20.

The title and scripture were significant in light of my upcoming week and, interestingly, how everything began to tie together.

Early Tuesday, I flew out of Wichita Falls to attend a three-day meeting in Nashville, Tenn., with other conference lay leaders from across the United States.

Meeting and talking with lay leaders from other parts of the country is an educational experience.

We are all lay leaders for a specific conference, with each conference bound by the Book of Discipline. But each conference does its work slightly differently.

We saw presentations on the role of a conference lay leader and the nuts and bolts about being one.

About half of our group was new to the position, so the information was valuable and we were able to learn from the returning lay leaders.

Dr. David Watson gave the keynote address, “Sharing Pastoral Power: Some Wesleyan Foundations for Leadership in the Congregation.” Dr. Watson wasn’t talking about political power but the spiritual kind of power that comes from the Holy Spirit.

After flying back to Wichita Falls late Thursday, the next facet of Methodism required me to get in the car Friday morning and drive to First UMC Richardson for an Annual Conference planning meeting.

This year’s Annual Conference will be at the Richardson church with a slightly different format. It will cover the same agenda items as in the past and will include learning opportunities in the form of keynote addresses and breakout “toolbox” sessions.

Saturday was Laity Day with Bishop Mike McKee, hosted and presented by the Board of Laity at St. Andrew UMC in Plano. Our theme for the day was “Seeking Fruitfulness.” We had been at work planning this event since the fall.

Hope Rouse, our Northwest District youth lay leader, presented a devotion using the same scripture that my pastor used Sunday morning.

Bishop McKee spent the morning inspiring the laity of North Texas and answering their questions. The lunch discussion and the afternoon centered on laity fruitfulness. Again, the message was similar to Sunday’s sermon.

Sunday morning I worshipped at Christ UMC in Plano before making my way to the Wesley-Rankin Community Center in West Dallas.

I was thrilled to be there for the celebration and consecration of the newly renovated main building. It was exciting to see the seeds of fruitful ministry being planted and growing in this location.

In one week, I had traveled full circle in Methodism, and with each facet the theme of being fruitful was the prevailing message.

But on the last day at the last event, I experienced the message of what it means to truly be a fruitful disciple of Jesus Christ.

Linda Parks, the North Texas Conference Lay Leader, compiles Hello North Texas. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.

Singing in our chancel choir is like therapy for me. Choir acted as therapy when I worked in the public schools, and it continues to be therapy in my busy retired life. This is the one place where I don’t have to make any decisions and am not in charge of anything. I show up on Wednesday nights for rehearsal and just sing.

At choir practice, my mind isn’t on the multitude of events and details swarming around me on my way to practice because when I get there I just sing. Since I’m not a particularly gifted singer, I must pay attention to our director and the music, so it is easy to keep my mind focused on the task at hand.

Many times the words of an anthem that we are preparing can move me to tears. The words are so profound and real, it is like God is speaking to me. My therapy continues while I just sing.

At the end of choir practice, everyone has an opportunity to share joys and concerns before we close with a prayer. By this time, my worries have shrunk and my blessings multiplied. My therapy session concludes, and I leave refreshed because I went to just sing.

Next comes Sunday morning and again the therapy begins. The choir provides leadership during the service through hymns and responses. Then we present our gift of an anthem to the congregation in praise to our God above.

Hopefully, our music has blessed those in attendance and touched them with our message. Being part of this offering is special and humbling. Again, I experienced another therapeutic session as a member of our choir, and I came to just sing.

“Prayer of Blessing,” the anthem we rehearsed and performed on Epiphany Sunday, especially caught my attention and challenged me with its message.

Because this anthem, with words and arrangement by Keith Christopher, was new, I didn’t lightly go through the words.

I read them carefully as we put them with the music. The tune was familiar because it uses the traditional Scottish melody “Auld Lang Syne,” perfect for the beginning of a year.

If you haven’t heard this anthem, please find it and listen carefully to the words of the whole song.

Christopher’s arrangement has much to say and share. The anthem spoke to me through the music and words while I was there to just sing.

My prayer for you in this new year is to find that place where you can go and free yourself from the clutter surrounding you and let the therapy begin. Remember to just sing.

Linda Parks, the North Texas Conference Lay Leader, compiles Hello North Texas. Contact her at ljparks@aol.com or ntclayleader@ntcumc.org.