reflections from general conference

Let me reflect a bit more from our recent General Conference. There were some very positive ideas directing us. We approach the next four years with some guiding principles.

We have been reminded of Three Simple Rules. I will be using Bishop Rueben Job’s small book by this title for a series of sermons I will preach around our Missouri Annual Conference. This speaks of the three General Rules of the Methodist Societies from John Wesley’s day. The rules are: Do no harm; Do good; Stay in love with God.

We also were focused on Four Focus Areas. These deal with poverty, global health, new and renewed congregations, and Christian leadership.

Bishop Schnase’s Five Practices were constantly before us: Radical Hospitality, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, Passionate Worship and Extravagant Generosity.

I think it is significant that the quadrennial budget of $642,000,000 was built around the four focus areas. We are attempting to organize ourselves around action and measurable goals.
One reason I think this is very significant is due to the fact that it departs from our past priorities. We have been based more on “being” than “doing.” Diversity and inclusiveness have been our functional priorities. Now our bishops are leading us in a direction that is more defined. It will be interesting to see how we grow into this new way of doing things. I pray God will cause us to be very fruitful in making disciples.

What might this have to do with us in the local church? I find encouragement to put our emphasis on fruitfulness. Perhaps we may learn to allocate our budget in ways that put making disciples of Jesus Christ first and foremost. Perhaps we will evaluate our staff (especially the senior pastor!) in terms of fruitfulness. Perhaps we will evaluate our programs, our mission and our ministries in terms of fruitfulness for the kingdom of God.

Many seeds of hope have been sown. Join me in praying that God bless our efforts and growing in Christian Discipleship here at Platte Woods United Methodist Church.