Bishop's Day 2012
At the 2008 General Conference, United Methodists adopted four areas of focus. All of them were consequences of our mission statement, “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Bishop’s Day Continuing Education Events 2009 through 2011 concentrated on three focus areas, specifically developing principled Christian Leaders for the church and the world, creating new places for new faces and revitalizing existing congregations plus engaging in ministry with the poor. When we finish our 2012 work on the Global Health Initiative, we will have completed the task assigned us by the 2008 General Conference. Why global not local? Don’t we have enough to do here? Though critical and important, the Michigan Area can’t be defined as our parish. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism said it best, “the world is our parish.” Most importantly, God has called us to love the world.
Three words sum up the focus for Bishop’s Day 2012. IMPROVE HEALTH GLOBALLY. As we speak, the United Methodist Church is pursuing that goal. For example, our denomination has The Global Fund. The Fund provides monetary resources to combat and “free the world of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.” Some of the work achieved since 2002 are deeds like; “a. treated 8.2 million new cases of tuberculosis b. supported HIV/AIDS treatment programs for 3.2 million people and c. distributed 190 million bed nets to protect families from malaria.” .
Every time one of our Volunteer in Mission (VIM) teams from the Michigan Area goes to Haiti, Liberia or another country, the health and well-being of a city and people are enhanced. Homes, churches and schools are built and renovated. Sanitation systems are installed. Food, medicine, glasses are provided for the needy. Relationships are formed and cultivated. Because of “the milk of human kindness”, standards of living and the quality of life are raised. We took our cue from those we know in the conference or local churches-from John Wesley and Jesus.
John Wesley did more than write theology, preach 40,000 sermons, serve as a missionary in America and set the stage for a movement that has become a world church. He addressed issues of slavery, money, education, prison ministries, war, poverty, medicine and health, etc. In 17th century England, historians indicated that John Wesley played a vital role in improving the health and welfare of its citizenry. He wrote a bestseller entitled Primitive Physic. His book dispensed medical advice for all sorts of health crises, major and minor. On the one hand, the medical profession rejected his book. Medical advice and care belonged to them. To a great extent, Wesley agreed. On the other hands, health care was not accessible to a lot of people especially poor folks. They didn’t have the money for medical care. So Wesley provided it in his book Primitive Physic. At the same time, John Wesley urged his readers to seek help from two sources more knowledgeable than he, physicians who knew Jesus and Dr. Jesus. That said, over thirty editions of the Primitive Physic were published. Criticized by the medical establishment as quackery, Primitive Physic was embraced by the public especially poor folks bereft of means to pay for health care. Given Wesley’s influence in England and America, his concern for the bodies as well as the souls of persons improved the health and welfare of his fellow citizens, locally and globally. .
That’s the way it is for disciples of Jesus Christ. To follow Jesus is to adopt his way of thinking and acting. What do I mean? Clearly, one of the most compelling aspects of Jesus’ ministry was “improving health globally.” The blind saw. The lame walked. The deaf heard. Lepers were cleansed. Demoniacs were freed of demons and clothed in their right minds. A bent over woman stood up. A woman with an issue of blood was healed. For twelve long years, she sought medical care with negative results. Her financial resources were all but depleted. Perhaps a bit discouraged but hardly hopeless, she touched the hem of his garment and was made whole. Because our Lord provided his medical services without charge, one wonders if some of the physics of his day were pleased when Crucifixion removed him from the scene. Our Lord hurt their business. Quite frankly, Jesus did something that has stirred political consternation in America’s body politic. Jesus offered his own brand of universal health care to all who came his way. And he did it free of charge. Isn’t that just like Jesus?
Methodism’s Global Initiative, mission projects in the Michigan Area, Wesley’s sterling witness of caring for the souls and bodies of the neighbor even the “least of these” aptly raise the flag for all those loyal to Jesus the Christ. Are we not obligated to improve health globally in the name of Jesus? In other words, are we not asked to be the neighbor, personal and corporate, in every sense of the word?
See you on Bishop’s Day. Come and learn more about the work we have to do to improve health globally. Then, let’s do it. Health and Wholeness to you all!!
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