The Next Best Seller

Two weeks of debate, worship, conferencing, pain, hope....and a Book of Discipline that most people in the United Methodist Church do not read nor own. I admit, the Book of Discipline is not the best seller clergy report it to be. It isn't unheard of for a family to have a BOD as I'll refer to it for now on. My parents had one, although they did not purchase the changed version every four years. I don't know if was opened much, but it was symbolic of our dedication to the work of The United Methodist Church. That's in part, why I love this church and so glad I am here. Thanks mom and dad! After weeks of debate, substitute motions, speeches in favor and against...I'm marinated in the language of conferencing. In that vein, I would like to rise and make a motion that laity purchase a BOD for their family. Of course, if you don't have a bible, get that first...or ask for one, I'll get it to you. Alongside our work of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the BOD helps us understand the sometimes conflicting but painstakingly fair process of our denomination. Over the next four years, I'd love to see people take more interest in who we are as a denomination, how we operate and most importantly understand the work of gathering at the table. All of this expresses our faith in Jesus as he works through us to transform the world. Do you know that you can be involved in this proces? Any member of the UMC can submit petitions to the Annual Conferrence and to the General conference. It may not pass, but it must be considered. Furthermore, despite majority view appearing in the BOD for four years, the minority is not without voice. The conferencing and dialogue may not be clearly known behind the final product, especially around difficult and controversial legislation- but the fruit of the work underlies each line. Those who have participated in the process know the tears, pain and efforts at peacemaking behind the written passages. Currently, the passages concerning human sexuality get the most press, as I believe they should. Yet, these are not the only passages in the BOD. There are lots of affirming, ministry enhancing, disciple making paragraphs that celebrate and move us forward in our chosen ministry. In getting the gist of the General Confenrence experience online, or via news over the last two weeks, I highly recommend you read the BOD at least once before we meet in 2016. The document we produce serves us, causes us moments of discernment and at times forces us to live in conflict with the BOD -even to the end if civil disobedience. Yet this is also who we are...not a conformed body, but a bell curve of varying values and beliefs as we serve and make disciples of Jesus the Christ. I challenge you to be more involved and aware of why we meet, conference and alter the BOD eery four years. When we have more people, especially of varying ages, backgrounds and experiences checking out the BOD, we widen the scope of our conversation at the table. Im not expecting the BOD to become a best seller with this challenge ...but I'm hoping it continues to be perfected with more people aware and involved in the process. You might even might help write the next version....every four years!

Gaurenteed what...

This morning we voted, on the consent calendar to do away with guaranteed appointment. Then, after reconsideration from the floor, we voted it down again. So as a body, we have gaurenteed two things. Healthy Superintendency has a chance to address ineffective ordained elders AND corrupt Superintendency has the power to restrict women, people of color, LBGT persons and their advocates, persons of age and persons who are young. The question is, of what type of superintendency do you belong? Along with all other issues of The United Methodist Church, we have a a split system. We need to be aware of both the Suoerindancy of conferences that are enacting fair and connectional appointments as well as those who are clearly discriminating against their clergy for the reasons listed above. I belong to a conference that commits itself to fair appointment making, even to the point where approximately 43% of our churches with membership over 355 members are being served by women. Being inclusive is part of our DNA. We're nit perfect, but there is intentionality. HOWEVER, there are many conferences and collegues who do not experience this in their relationship to their conference. What kind of Superintendency do you experience? This is not only a question for the clergy, but how do laity experience the fairness or corruption of their appointment making process. My hope is that we can be a people who promote and continue to raise the bar on effective pastorates while promoting our principles of an inclusive, diverse and open church. I invite you to consider your own experience of Superintendency -what have we guanrenteed for you in this decision?

Finally catching up

I can't believe it is Saturday! I'm sitting in legislative committee for Superintedancy...with phone in hand, iPad in lap and petitions loaded on both. I finally have time to catch up on my my blog. I haven't had much time to write it because I've been catching up other things. Catching up with the legislation via Twitter and conversation. What passes and what doesn't. Pain and joy...I've retweeted lots of things and will continue to do so I order for you to see the jist of attitudes. I've been catching up with friends, and family...my step mother-in-law and my sist-in-law are here...I'm even catching up on exercise(I wish I could say as much with sleep) The main thing I'm catching up with, however, is the need for grace. It is the foundation of whatever we do and we've seen lots of times where grace has been forgotten at gc2012. I know it's out there...I've seen it and experienced it...yet debate and grace are difficult friends. So how do we catch up on grace? How about using it as a word of reminder....grace, grace...remember Jesus is grace upon grace. I know this may sound like a Polly-Anna suggestion....but im pretty secure in saying Jesus was in much tougher situations and never let grace fall behind. We just need to catch up to him. Grace, Jan

Laity make us cry....

Mitch and I are used to it....tears after we sing a song, or occasionally during or after a sermon. But there's nothing more amazing then when laity make clergy tear up. I've heard our work as clergy is to work ourselves out of a job. Here, at General Conference we see the progress of that. Stories shared where people have been transformed by Christ,from Africa to Alabama...we hear their stories. General Conference is a place where laity and their reason for being here inspires. Many give up work, are far from family and choose to learn about our complex system with open minds and hearts. This is sacrifice. I'm rooming with a laity and it is awesome to watch her experience this gathering for the first time. I thank Courtney for the sacrifice she and all the laity are making to be here. It doesn't make me cry, but brings warmth to my heart. And as I sit in the morning session, we are hearing young person, from the Phillipines, whose visa was denied...yet she, throug a live stream, is sharing her story of faith. It makes me think, when laity are empowered by the mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world...it becomes the sermon we hear, the holy song for the clergy. It makes us cry. Your transforming story in Jesus, shapes my story and urges me on to make disciples. If you are a laity reading this, think about how you can make a clergy cry. Share your story, or how you desire to be transformed by Jesus Christ. For you are a true, living sermon...the living body...and I look forward to sharing more tears forming in my eyes as I hear what Jesus has done for you.

Your credentials

So...today began with checking in and for the first times having credentials even though I'm a reserve, reserve:). I'm just thankful to be here...but I have to admit...a badge is cool. Indeed, allowing those who are a bit further down the voting list to be on the floor, just once, will make a difference in understanding and experiencing the General Conference. However, there are many ways to experience the GC2012. I've already witnessed a press conference, an amazing worship servie and you can observe....no badge necesssary. We've come a long way in the UMC media field. For instance, on the media links and new feeds, please follow those links in the sidebar. There are more bloggers-more tweeters...even an app called gc2012 for the iPad. So, you can watch the worship services- and all the "exciting" plenary sessions....and follow the legislation. Woohoo! Please note the live feed schedule when you go to that app. So here we are....badge, no badge.... We're listening to the rules of order as they are being presented...using Roberts rules.....yes, it's cool having a badge.

Heavy Luggage

Friends, Welcome to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church 2012 as shared by this preacher, pastor and servant. I hope you enjoy the posts and the applications I will be using for this blog. I have a live stream imbedded and the live stream schedule. I plan on posting links to other bloggers as well, and adding features throughout the week. As I write, I'm waiting for my luggage to arrive. I packed too much! Yet, as I wait for its delivery, I anticipate the approache of something more important....our opening worship. It will take place at 4:30pm eastern time, 3:30pm Central time. If you miss this, I'll have links to the video of the event. Worship is a place where we, who have packed too much...too much worry, too much control, too much agenda...can let down our heavy load. We don't pay someone to carry it for us, we experience Christ lifting it. In Christ, we let our hearts be one, as we prepare to let our minds work together for this particular denomination and community of disciples. I ask that you pray for this beginning, that we lay down our luggage and worship in awe of what God does in drawing us together. I also ask that you pray for all the delegations and representatives of this church body, that we example Christ in all we do! Finally, I ask that you pray for the person who is delivering my luggage- it is REALLY heavy! I'm going to tip her or him well...and hope our prayers make it seem lighter. Grace, JT