From Pastor Ginger Pudenz: Our 2009 Missouri Annual Conference was a great encouragement to our ministry hearts, as always. The theme this year was “Somewhere Out There,” and throughout the conference we were blessed with beautiful vignettes of personal testimony from lives that have, at one time, been somewhere out there – at a distance from God, out of personal relationship with Jesus. Hearing about that precious moment in a person’s faith walk where they truly connected with the body of Christ and walked into a church for the first time is no small thing. It first reminds us that we have all been strangers in a strange land. It reminds us that welcoming others into the relationship is such a privilege and a joy. And, it reminds us that there are preparations to be made for those folks who are still a far ways off.
At my home, when we really make a concerted effort to straighten up the house inevitably one of our sons will ask … “Are we expecting guests?” We often chuckle at that question; yet, how profound that question is! The moment someone is moved to come closer to Christ – it’s us – the children of God who get the honor of opening the door and greeting them. There are also folks somewhere out there who will need us to go to them, to provide learning and service opportunities within the body of Christ, and to be home to welcome them. Fortunately, we were also reminded of the words of Jesus who explained, “ … if I am lifted up … I will draw everyone to myself.” (from John 12:32) Our ministry is that of lifting Jesus up! Let everything we do lift Him up! I look forward to another season of ministry with you in caring for our faith family and in praying for those who will come. Join me in praying discernment for all the many ways that we will be called to those out there.
Pastor Ginger
From Lay Leader Alan Herndon: “Somewhere Out There …” was the theme of the Missouri Annual Conference this year. As your lay leader, I found it a fitting theme as we continue to be “the outwardly focused congregation.” Annual Conference started off with incredible worship and a very passionate message from Rev. Robin Miller, senior pastor of Church of the Shepherd. Her focus on Friday morning was how “somewhere out there” was a person like her who had gotten out of the habit of going to church, but through the care of Christian love of a fellow believer she remembered her youthful call, and is now blessed to lead one of our largest and fastest-growing congregations in the state.
Saturday morning continued to start the day off with a powerful message by the Mississippi Annual Conference Bishop Ward. She challenged us to focus on recounting our own personal engagement of Christian contacts with others. As leaders she pushed us to reignite the light of Christ in others, and instructed us to point our direction outward to ignite others to believe. The worship services are always the best part of Annual Conference for me. It always renews me and my focus as a church leader. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed seeing friends, students, prospective seminary students and other ministers. But sitting for 8 hours and listing to reports is not my idea of fun, but it is Annual Conference. We voted on some General Conference Constitutional Amendments that we should receive word later this year about the results. They all are important Constitutional Amendments that can affect the future of the United Methodist church.
I had the opportunity to be an usher this year. What does an usher do at Annual Conference? Thanks for asking. WE HAND OUT A LOT OF PAPER!!! We also assisted in special worship services and helped a lot of people find their spots on the floor, answered a lot of questions about the annual conference, and guided others to find coffee.
Finally, we ended the annual conference with a time of sharing from Rev. Emanuel Cleaver II. As Rev. Emanuel Cleaver II so passionately reminded us on our final day together, “ If we can fill a stadium with tens of thousands of screaming fans jumping and yelling for a football team that has a win loss record of 2 & 14, we should then celebrate God with the same enthusiasm and vigor! We should remain Christ-Centered in our daily happenings for the one who has never lost and never turn away.”
I hope as a congregation we continue to be thinking of those “Somewhere out there and what we can do as Christians to share the light of the world.”
Your Lay Leader, Alan D. Herndon
From Evelyn Evans, PWUMC Lay Member: It was really a wonderful conference this year. We heard all the teaching moments and gained knowledge from those. The different pastors that spoke were really great. The business end of the conference went very smoothly with very little debate on issues. Bishop Schnase gave a wonderful teaching moment on Monday morning. It was great. And then to have the privilege to hear Congressman/Pastor Emanuel Cleaver II was outstanding! We are truly blessed to be able to call him one of our own.
On a personal note, it is fun for me to be able to connect with pastors and laity that we have known for many, many years.
In Christ's love and service, Evelyn Evans
From Brian Evans, PWUMC Lay Member: This was my fourth Annual Conference representing Platte Woods Church, and I have to agree with Steve it was my most positive. Bishop Schnase and the team he has assembled have done a great job of re-focusing our conference to do the work we are called for. We did the usual business of an Annual Conference, but this year even that seemed to create an increased level of unity.
The theme for this year's conference was "Somewhere Out There." We experienced many examples of "somewhere out there" through great sermons, teaching times, personal testimonies, a report on our success in Mozambique, etc. "Somewhere Out There" highlighted examples of how our conference (churches) are being pro-active in reaching out to those with physical and emotional needs, but, most importantly, taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to a love-starved world. I know that pride isn't suppose to be a trait of a Christian, but I think the reference is to self-pride. Therefore, I can say, I left this year's Annual Conference prideful of how our churches (congregations) are making a difference right now.
Blessings to all, Brian Evans
From Mike Cole, PWUMC Lay Member: This was my first annual conference and I enjoyed the experience. Coming from the business world I have attended many conventions, conferences and meetings over the years so the size, format, workshops, displays, breakout sessions and actual meeting processes were familiar but the overwhelming difference was this was about God, Christ and reaching people for them. A business convention for God! And his spirit, the Holy Spirit was surrounding us everywhere.
I was very impressed with the focus and drive that the Missouri Methodist Church shows in its leadership. Bishop Robert Schnase is pushing his team and all the pastors in Missouri to focus their efforts to reach people in our communities with an outward focus. One passionate speaker said it best by reminding us that if our churches and ministries are not outward-focused then we are not doing the work Christ commanded us to. If we are not focused outward then chances are pretty good that we are focused inward and sooner or later an inward focus can lead to infighting and a subtle form of idolatry.
Think of Platte Woods Church as an emergency rescue life boat in the midst of a raging, stormy world, then think of the congregation members as folks the life boat has already picked up or is in the process of pulling on board. Now if you’re the boat captain or his staff or active passengers should you focus primarily on people already in the boat or is your rescue mission to get to those in the water and save as many as possible while you can, before it’s too late and they are lost, forever!
I felt God tugging on my heart the entire weekend in many ways and giving me direction. I pray I have the courage and sense to follow.
Thank you for allowing me to attend the conference and help in representing Platte Woods Church. It was a blessing.
Mike Cole, Lay Member
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