Amen!
By Jim Nibbelink
After the last of the bread and the cup had been shared on Friday night, the 2008 General Conference adjourned until it will again be called to order in Tampa in 2012. Delegates may have caught up on their sleep by then. Interestingly, because this Conference was shortened to save money, delegates voted to not do business on Sundays in the future. This has the effect of lengthening the next General Conference. There are sometimes unintended consequences of ideas that seem good at the time (shortening Conference), that don’t play out too well. Delegates clearly want a break!
In worship today, Bishop Hope Morgan Ward reminded us that sometimes, we receive an invitation from God to wait … wait for the Spirit to inform, inspire, act. All things don’t conform to our timetables. Patient prayer may be a good course of action for God’s people. The cross that has graced the altar during General Conference was brought closer to the delegates, so we could see the myriad materials and colors that comprised this beautiful cross. Standing almost three feet tall, the cross was made up of broken items taken from the ruins left in the path of Hurricane Katrina. There were sherds of glass and ceramic, pieces of metal and other materials that were shattered and abandoned. But something wonderful happened. Broken pieces were picked up and used to make a reminder of the greatest recovery from brokenness ever known, Christ’s victory over death. The message was powerful … from brokenness to victory … the cornerstone of our faith.
The business sessions were remarkable, since time was short and the pile of petitions to consider was deep. Some “bundling” actions were taken, putting together petitions that had over 90% sentiment to adopt or reject by the Legislative Sections in groups. These groups were voted upon en masse, without floor debate, somewhat shortening our work sessions.
The Conference adopted the budget for the General Church for the next four years. Increasing just 1.2% per year, the total budget to be apportioned amounts to $642,000,000. The cooperation among the General Agencies prior to General Conference was apparent in the budgeting process, with a significant number of ministries planned that will be shared among the various boards and agencies. This pre-planning removed the competitive spirit evident in earlier General Conferences and should really help advance action during this quadrennium.
A few days ago, Bishop Tom Bickerton offered to auction a basketball that he had signed to an individual or group who would donate to “Nothing But Nets,” our campaign to eliminate malaria in Africa. Why? Every thirty seconds, another child in Africa succumbs to malaria. The bidding over the intervening days started slowly. One Annual Conference offered $500; another raised the offer, and so on, until bids were coming in totaling more than $2500. When all was said and done, the total of our bids exceeded $300,000! And to think that Bill Gates, Sr., has offered to match the bid! Thanks to the wonderfully generous spirit of the delegates, more than half a million dollars was raised to stamp our malaria! When we work together, we can make a difference!
In the movement to get done, several items that would have introduced changes to our polity were set aside. Some good things were left undone, along with some things that would have been unfortunate to adopt.
Our final message was from Bishop Greg Palmer. He reminded us, that in God’s economy, there is always abundance – more than enough to go around. However, when we get to thinking that there’s not enough, we’ll begin to hoard and those left out are subjected to degradation and even violence, as the “haves” seek justification for their status. In our tendency towards stinginess, we need to remember that when we’re busy saving for a rainy day, that it’s always raining somewhere! We need to move from scarcity to generosity, both spiritually and materially. Our job is to live with extreme generosity and trust God!
The conclusion? We are the people of God, who can speak what is not, as though it were! This is the power of vision, the power of hope. The United Methodist Church is full of people who believe in A Future With Hope.
May God bless you all!
Jim Nibbelink