Did you know that
· the average membership of a UM congregation is 110? (In the Kentucky, the average size of a UM church is 88)
· 4% of all Kentuckians are United Methodists
· the UMC is now in “full communion” with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America which means we can participate fully in each other’s services, liturgies, sacraments and member transfers without conditions.
· this year is the 40th anniversary of the Commission on Religion and Race. The old Central Jurisdiction (that segregated the black Methodists from the white Methodists in 1939) was discarded at the Uniting Conference of the United Methodists Church in 1968.
· Ellen Johnson Sirleaf graduated from a UM school in Liberia, earned her degree from Harvard, and in 2006 was elected the first female President of an African nation? It was a privilege to hear her speak to the GC today.
We finished with all the petitions that had financial implications tonight, only one day later than planned on the Conference agenda. Most of our time this afternoon and tonight was spent discussing the leadership needs of the Central Conferences, particularly the African conferences where the church is growing at a phenomenal rate. New episcopal leaders are needed for this emerging church, but a plan and funding will not be in place until 2013.
To my surprise, the GC voted to reduce the number of bishops in the US jurisdictions by 4. Beginning in 2013, one less bishop will be assigned to the Northeastern, North Central, South Central and Western Jurisdictions. The Southeastern Jurisdiction actually qualifies for one MORE bishop, but at this time has not requested one. These episcopal funds will be allocated to the Central Conferences where episcopal leadership is needed the greatest.
Jim Harnish has served very effectively as a pastor in the Florida Annual Conference for many years. I’ve always respected Jim and greatly enjoyed reading his books, many of which come from his preaching. I told him tonight how often I’ve thought of a phrase he used from Yates as he introduced his “Apostles’ Creed” sermons: the center that holds. I am wondering that center is that will hold this General Conference together. There is a wide range of thought about that center. Jim said that the best we can hope for is that “General Conference will do no harm.” Let’s hope so.
Stay tuned.
1 comment:
Mike: Thanks for your blog - it's wonderful to get your perspective on the various happenings at GC. I must admit that I'm very troubled by a number of things going on at GC - namely, the agenda of the gay rights proponents and the positive press which they've received from GC's own website. I'm not even sure why this continues to come up for debate?
However, I was also very troubled by the following paragraph in your blog:
"An interesting thing happened re the Judicial Council elections. Previously this week, the Board of Church and Society registered its complaint that an unofficial caucus group passed out cell phones to delegates from the Central Conferences, attempting to sway their votes on these elections and other matters before the GC. What happened today is even more interesting. This morning, a “moderate” group put together a list of candidates and placed it on the desks of certain delegates before the election. Would you believe that every one of those nominees, clergy and lay, were elected in the exact order of that list? I asked the BCS if they were going to mention that in their next publication as well, but have not heard from them. "
After reading that I immediately thought of Paul: Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. (Gal 1:10).
Are we voting on things because some caucus encourages us to do so? Or are we voting because we've been led by the Holy Spirit to vote in such a manner? It's a rhetorical question - I know - but a very important one.
Press on to the mark!
Nevil
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