Bishop's Day 2008
Bishop’s Day 2008
God blessed us again. Over 3000 United Methodists across the state of Michigan turned out for Bishop’s Day. 13 District Superintendents and their Leadership Teams provided dynamic Continuing Education on Evangelism and Stewardship for the pastors and laity of local congregations. To get a bird’s eye view of two of those events, I became a circuit rider for a day. It took me from Lansing to Northville, from Northville to Marshall, from Marshall back to Lansing.
Ann Arbor District held its training event at Northville UMC. Rev. Taek Kim shared a powerful word on stewardship. Witty story and salient testimony after testimony spiced his timely and relevant sermon. During his childhood years, Taek’s family especially his father left an indelible imprint of stewardship on his life. As he spoke, that same spirit emerged in his ministry and family life. International Speaker and Author, the Rev. Dr. Rose Sims, shared valuable insights on “new life for dying churches.” However, a choir of what seemed like 100 teenagers got to me. They sang the songs of the church with joy and enthusiasm. For one moment in time, I was caught up in a vision of the once and future church. Years 2020 and 2030 emerged in my reverie. And those teens had become adults, serving the church with their giftedness, transforming and growing the church long after my episcopacy concluded. Awakened from my imaginings of what might be; my watch said it was time to go.
So, I turned my blue iron horse toward Marshall, Michigan. Members of the church and D.S. Jerry Devine greeted me. Getting in on the tail end of a workshop seemed like a good idea. I slipped in a workshop, sat down and prepared to listen. Then and there, the lay presenter pounced. “Bishop,” he said, “you’ve come in at the right time. We’re discussing the Wesleyan emphasis of Sanctification. Tell us all about it.” Sanctification has to do with the belief that one can be made perfect in this life. Growing and developing over a lifetime can lead any disciple to a daily increase in loving God and the neighbor.
I likened this quest for growth in grace and/or perfection to the life and times of Tiger Woods. He has earned a well deserved reputation for “going on to perfection” in the game of golf. Tiger has completely dedicated himself to being the best golfer that ever lived. During his 12 year career, Woods has changed his swing and changed his caddy; increased his physical fitness, become the most marketable athlete in the world, led an exemplary life off the course, been number 1 nine out of twelve years, served as a poster boy for numerous charitable causes and started the Tiger Woods Foundation to help children especially the disadvantaged. For all his success, Woods is convinced that he can get better. As a result, Tiger has continued to work on his game daily.
After fielding other inquiries and offering commentary, Mike Johnson asked me to pray. I did. Looking back, my plan to sit quietly and observe went awry. On the other hand, Mike’s question unwittingly challenged the bishop to live out the growth challenge offered local churches. So, I accepted the opportunity to respond and focused once again on my vision for the church. By the time this bishop finished speaking in the workshop and sharing remarks in the plenary, I tried to make the point that Bishop’s Day 2008 was about “going on to perfection” in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
I JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW
April 2006, I wrote an article in the Michigan Christian Advocate entitled Should WE or Shouldn’t We?” The question reflected low level dis-ease regarding the creation of a new Annual Conference. Now, low level dis-ease has heightened like the increasing awareness to Global Warming. During MATT (Michigan Area Transition Team) meetings, feedback from the called Clergy Session, explicit questions have carried an implicit interrogative, rarely spoken but felt. “Bishop, what do you think about the new creation of a new Annual Conference?” has been closely followed by the unasked query “Bishop, What Should We Do? Telling members of annual conference how to vote won’t come from this pen; advice will. What’s the advice? Prepare and ask God. I just thought you should know.
It’s simple to say; but hard to do. Do it anyway: prepare. Read the document on becoming the Great Lakes Annual Conference. Discuss it with pastors and laity, MATT, the bishop and Cabinet where possible. Compare the new possibility with the old one. For example, the new plan has a stronger focus on the local church and the leadership role of the D. S. Your District Superintendent will have additional resources to strengthen the mission and ministry of every local church. At the same time, our historic emphasis and involvement in Mission, foreign and domestic, and Connectional Giving will not be lost or sacrificed.
In 2004, both conferences chose to appoint a task force to explore opportunities for cooperation. And in 2006, 87% of the Detroit Conference and 78 % of West Michigan Conference members “declared their intention to unite…to create a new annual conference.” April 5, 2008 lay and clergy members of both conferences have been given the responsibility to decide and shape how we go forward. Have you prepared yourself for the conference voting booth? Creating a new annual conference, getting married, having a child, accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior must finally be answered by the parties involved regardless of advice given or elicited.
So, in all your discernment ask God what to do. The psalmist is right “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) The light from this lamp flickers like a match lit in the dark of night. According to George S. Knight, commentator on the Psalms stated, … as a pilgrim took one step forward, the light fell only one step ahead in the darkness…the light did not destroy the darkness” Even so, don’t be afraid of the dark. “The darkness and the light are both alike to you (God).”(Psalm 139:`12) So shall it be for us. Pray knowing that the unknown is known to God.
Then, be assured of this one thing. Whether you decide to get married or stay single as Annual Conferences, I will be with you, should God and the Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee will it? “Nothing we are going to do, want to do, want to try; no complaint, theological squabble, or new creation will lead this bishop away from laying the burden of disciple-making” upon the new or the old wineskins. Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world remains uttermost on my agenda. This is the faith and focus that claims me. This is the choice I’ve made before you choose. I just thought you should know.