Rev. Jim Sanders

08/05/2026

Law is transactional. Love is transformational. —Bishop Ken Carter

The first of three meditations on the Vision Statement of The United Methodist Church: Love Boldly

07/04/2026

What a blessing it is to begin my second year of ministry alongside and among the wonderful staff, laity, and friends of First UMC Charlotte. God is good indeed!

07/03/2026

Here is a great overview of our 2026 Western North Carolina Annual Conference, which was held in June at Lake Junaluska. If you listen on other platforms, search for Means of Grace. It is a good series.

Podcast Episode · Means of Grace · July 2 · 30m

06/29/2026

Happy birthday to the Reverend John Wesley, co-founder of the Methodist movement, who was born June 28, 1703.

Here's a list of "10 fascinating facts about John Wesley."
https://www.umc.org/en/content/10-fascinating-facts-about-john-wesley

06/21/2026

At the 2026 Western NC Annual Conference closing worship service, Bishop Carter brought a good and challenging word about leading courageously through missional justice and evangelism. At the end, following our long tradition, he formally “fixed” the 2026-27 appointments. What a blessing it has been to be here to help shape the business of the Annual Conference, worship with clergy and laity siblings from across the region, and witness the licensing, recognizing, commissioning, and ordaining of those called and affirmed in their various ministries. And what a blessing it will be to return, refreshed and reinvigorated, to serve among and alongside the clergy, staff, and laity of First United Methodist Church Charlotte, NC for my second year, which begins July 1.

06/18/2026

Once a year, when the Clergy Session of the 2026 Western North Carolina Annual Conference is called to order, the “congregation” to which I belong comes into view. It is a rare sight. The other 364½ days of the year, I am privileged and glad to be able to serve among and alongside the wonderful, amazing, inspiring people of First United Methodist Church Charlotte, where I am appointed.

Earlier today, as a member of the Board of Ordained Ministry’s Extension Ministry Committee, I attended a luncheon for those WNCC clergy who serve in all sorts of ministries “beyond the local church.”

Annual Conference is off to a good start! You can follow the proceedings at ac2026.org.

06/09/2026

I’m at the Western NC Conference Center in Huntersville today for a luncheon celebrating the ministry of Rev. Dan Pezet, who is finishing his service as Superintendent of the Metro District and transitioning back to local church ministry. Thank you for your good work among and alongside the clergy and congregations of the Metro District, Dan!

05/31/2026

Sunday, May 31, 2026:
On the Christian calendar, the First Sunday after Pentecost is called Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate the mystery of the Trinity: One God in Three Persons (One and Three, at the same time).

In The United Methodist Church, today is also Peace with Justice Sunday, one of our denomination-wide “Special Sunday” offering days. Proceeds from Peace with Justice Sunday offerings support peace-with-justice and conflict-resolution initiatives. Half remains in our Annual Conference, and half is distributed by the General Counsel on Finance and
Administration.

05/27/2026

Another great evening of First United Methodist—Charlotte church family fellowship!

05/20/2026

I’m at the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina building in Huntersville today and tomorrow with clergy from across the Western North Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia Annual Conferences for the second of four in-person education sessions with the 2026 Reynolds Academy for Ministry Management. I’m so grateful to the Foundation for making this opportunity for learning and connecting possible.