Well, friends, I will be stepping outside of the land of blog for a little while. With just a couple of weeks remaining until the United Methodist General Conference, I will need to use all of my creative energy to complete my reading of all the proposed legislation; to ponder carefully the nature of all that is being proposed; and to pray my way into a condition of appropriate centeredness.
So, if you would like a visual, this is what I will look like for the next couple of weeks:
If you are so inclined, I would greatly appreciate your continued prayers for Western Pennsylvania’s delegation and for the entire General Conference. Pray that God’s transforming presence will manifest itself powerfully somewhere in the murky territory formed by legislative discernment and doctrinal debate. Most of all, pray that the Holy Spirit will operate redemptively through the work of the General Conference for the purpose of making the United Methodist Church a more vibrant and healthy portion of the Body of Christ. Thanks a million, in advance, for your prayers.
I’ll talk to you again soon. Until then, grace and peace.
Already in prayer, brother.
I’m with you in thought and prayers.
Eric,
That “stress photo” looks like me after an evening with ‘da yutes!
Definitely praying for wisdom and courage for you and all the other delegates. Blessings!
Jeff
You are in my prayers!
Dear Eric,
I will be thinking about you and will be in prayer for you and the entire General Conference! May God bless each and every one of you!
I am just curious, but why have a conference etc where the rules always have to be changed and modified? Why not just follow the Bible? The Holy Spirit has already worked redemptively through the Bible by guiding the writers “into all truth” (Jn 14:26; 16:13). Like I said, just curious.
Hi James.
Thanks for your inquiry.
We gather for General Conference in large part because, as you might imagine, there is not always 100% agreement concerning what it means to “just follow the Bible” and implement its teachings. Therefore, part of the purpose of General Conference is to clarify our biblical interpretation and implementation.
It was not so terribly long ago in human history that the (then) Methodist Episcopal Church gathered for General Conference in order to debate the issue of slavery. Many Methodists at that time believed wholeheartedly that following the Bible meant perpetuating slavery (since slavery is specifically mentioned in the Bible as a social reality). Other Methodists believed that slavery is a manifestation of human sin and must therefore be rejected as we move toward the kingdom described in Galatians 3:28. I’m sure that you agree that this matter deserved a time of Christ-centered conferencing.
Also, not all of the matters that come before General Conference are specifically addressed by Scripture. For example, Scripture doesn’t tell us what the specific components of the journey toward ordination in the United Methodist tradition should be; or whether or not the United Methodist Church should have a Commission on Drugs and Alcohol; or what the budget emphasis should be for the next quadrennium; or whether our District Superintendents should serve for six years or eight years.
There is no chapter or verse in Scripture that addresses these issues. Therefore, it is the responsibility of General Conference to approach such issues prayerfully and attentively.
I hope that this has been a helpful response. Thanks again, James.
Eric,
We will be continuing to pray for you and the others attending GC as well as your families. Thank you for taking your role as delegate so seriously and representing the body of The WPA Conference. May the power of the Holy Spirit empower each of you greatly on this journey.
God’s Grace,
Jeff
I don’t know how you do it. You’re a better man than I, Gunga Din. Remember: You pray for me, I’ll pray for you…