Editor's Corner: Processing, communicating, praying
02-03-2012Editor's Corner: Processing, communicating, praying
By Amy Forbus
As I write this column, I’ve just returned from the pre-General Conference briefing in Tampa, Fla. The two and a half days I spent there included presentations on some of the biggest issues our delegates will face during the 10-day legislative gathering, held April 24-May 4.
We heard denominational leaders speak about pensions, benefits, budgets and restructuring. Logistics for a meeting of 1,000 delegates. How to hold challenging discussions with a measure of grace. The business of the church.
And we heard about plans for the church to repent for past sins and acknowledge the need for healing. About ways to make more dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ. About how best to transform the world. The mission of the church.
These topics seem to lie at opposite ends of a spectrum, but they all are parts of the same whole. They will factor into everything the delegates experience—worship, committee work, hallway chats, plenary sessions, voting.
The lay and clergy heads of our delegation also attended this gathering. In his effort to process and communicate some of the information we received, the Rev. Rodney Steele has started a blog: steeleumc.wordpress.com.
In his first post, “Two Schools of Thought (Trying to Understand General Conference),” Rodney reflects upon what he sees as competing views of how to run the organization we know as the UMC. Issues surrounding power and representation seem to put different groups in the church at odds with each other.
He concludes with, “These opening ideas are just that, an opening at an attempt to bridge the gap and bring us together for a shared future and ministry. My hope and prayer is that we will recognize what is best in each philosophy and use them in meaningful changes that will help the UMC follow God into the future and into the mission field.”
Arkansas has 12 seats on the floor of General Conference. But these delegates are not the only Arkansans who can help bridge the gap. You can help, too, by lifting them in prayer.
The Upper Room has developed a free downloadable guide, 50 Days of Prayer Before and During General Conference 2012. You can find it at upperroom.org. The prayers begin on March 16, covering the 40 days before General Conference and the 10 days it takes place.
I could’ve waited until the March 2 issue of the paper to mention this prayer effort. I think it’s important enough, though, that it deserves more than last-minute attention. Imagine the power of even a small percentage of United Methodists praying the same prayer every day!
We are feeling the uncertainty of change at the Conference level through Imagine Ministry. General Conference faces many of the same issues, but on behalf of the UMC worldwide.
If you’re not already praying for the people called United Methodist, now is a great time to start.
To reach me, send an email to aforbus@arumc.org.
