This Is A Lot Like Work
By Jim Nibbelink
Much of the day and all evening until midnight were spent in Legislative Sections, perfecting petitions and deciding whether or not to recommend their approval. Before all of that, we gathered for worship, enjoying the preaching of Bishop Bill Hutchinson. Each of our 18 worship services has its own special flavor, with different choirs and music styles, a variety of liturgy and featuring additional insight into the Conference theme, “A Future with Hope.” The Council of Bishops has chosen one of its number to preach at each service, so we get to hear some of the best perspectives in the church from all over the world. Today, we celebrated our baptism and were challenged to move beyond just receiving grace without doing anything about it. It’s a message many congregations need to hear!
Bishop Carcaño led us through a session celebrating the Methodist movement among the peoples of the Caribbean and Central and South America. We heard some of the history of our church’s involvement in ministry in those areas and what’s going on today among what we call “Affiliated Churches.” The outreach and extension of grace provided by our sister churches is so needed and so appreciated. This kind of ministry is one more reason to feel good about being a part of a connectional, relational church.
Delegates also celebrated the ministry of our smaller, rural churches, noting the good works of the UMC’s Town and Country Ministries. This supportive network is another great example of the advantages of a connectional system of doing ministry.
Legislative Sections convened after lunch. Sometimes the pace is quick, sometimes it’s painfully slow. It’s always enlightening to hear the perspectives of people from all over the world when we discuss issues and procedures that we might take for granted. In many places in the world, lay people are not afforded the same kinds of leadership and service opportunities that we may assume are universal. Words that seem straightforward to us are interpreted quite differently a few states away, let alone on the other side of an ocean. Interpreters are always available in Legislative Sections, since our international delegates are very much a part of all of the action. Many times, their questions or comments will provide valuable insights that move the section to consider directions that may not have come to light had their voices not been heard.
By the time the Legislative Sections are done with their work, all 1564 petitions will have been sent to the floor of General Conference with a recommendation to adopt, adopt with amendments, reject or refer to a church agency for additional study. When the smoke clears, we’ll have a new Book of Discipline and a new Book of Resolutions. The first recommendations come to the floor on Sunday. Soon, we’ll begin to have final action on the first of the petitions and have a glimpse into how we’ll order the United Methodist Church as we move into A Future with Hope.
A blessed Sabbath to everyone!