Strategic Direction makes a difference in the Central West District
By Rev. Gary Kennedy
The Strategic Direction has been a document that reflects the life of our Conference because it captures the very essence of the Spirit of God with us and directing us. From the beginning it has been a living document in that it guides a church in the transition of the many phases of life and call. Currently we are a church in the midst of change and challenge because of economic realities that impact all of our churches and extended ministries. Yet in the midst of this challenge we have the privilege of truly being the church, a beacon of light and hope for a world that has seen the light of direction shining forth from the people of God in the past and in the present.
During the past few months the subjects of the economy and finances have surfaced during all sorts of conversations, meetings, and calls to the District Superintendent. Churches are dealing with financial shortfalls in many different and sometimes creative ways. There are folks stepping up to the plate with greater financial commitment. There is budget adjusting and staff shifts and program reemphasis. I want to speak to the concern that I have seen on the faces of those working on these realities and the transformation of those expressions when we then talk about the God of hope and the people of faith. It seems that several of our conversations turned positive when we shared about how other churches are facing the same things. In some ways, with the thought of other churches came the reminder of how we are all in this together. Even the words printed in our mission, “One with Christ, One with Each Other, One in Ministry to All the World,” are reminders that God is with us. We are about God’s business. We have been called to this ministry together as God’s church.
There then is a new sense of calm and resolve. We operate not in fear but in the assurance that God is with us. This past charge conference season saw the same kind of reminder and transformation when we moved beyond financial reflecting with the question, “What is happening in your church that is exciting?” I have heard so much joy, purpose and excitement about the future with every discussion of what God is doing among the people called United Methodist.
In further capturing the essence of the Strategic Direction in the Central West District, let me share that many of the churches have been intentional about coordinating goals and ministries along the lines of the Strategic Direction priorities. Some churches have not intentionally done this, yet the end result is that they often match. To list some faithful expressions of ministry in line with our vision, our mission and various priorities of the Strategic Direction would include but certainly not be limited to: the continued community outreach done by The Community UMC of Avondale through the Opportunity House. These hands-on educational programs are administered and taught by members of the church and reach hundreds of community folks. Calvary UMC is involved together with extension ministries of the Wesley Community Center and Grupo ministries on the Calvary site. Mentoring and leadership development can be seen with the helping relationships of the pastors in the Yuma area. Retired pastor Bob Ray has been working with seminary-bound Edgar Vergara at Somerton and Tweedy Sombrero has offered very helpful cultural input for Lilda Burnham at Ft.Yuma UMC. Frank Peters has mentored an emerging Hispanic ministry and its pastor Arturo Gutierrez at Prescott Valley.
Various levels of training, cultural awareness, conversation, and leadership development go into the planning and implementation of outreach mission trips. Some examples include the mission trip to Africa coordinated by the Prescott UMC and others, the India mission trip organized by Calvary UMC and a South American mission trip organized by Yuma First UMC. These are a few highlights, yet I can safely say that all our communities around our churches are impacted in positive and wonderful ways by our church people. We share a vision together, a God, and through the church a Strategic Direction that help give shape to the transformation of the world by the people of God.