A God Thing
Advocate Article
for September 2008 Issue
A GOD THING
For ten straight ballots, Julius Calvin Trimble failed to receive more than 39 votes. Approximately, 164 votes were required to elect. Like eleven other candidates, he had been moved, motivated and inspired to run for the episcopacy by friends, personal discernment and/or the Holy Spirit. And like the eleven, he experienced a gamut of responses within and without as the ballot counts soared up, down or remained constant. With such low totals for ten ballots, Trimble had a decision thrust upon him. Had the voting delegates sent a message? Was it time for him to withdraw and wait for 2012 or concede forever? Trimble stayed in the race. Fourteen ballots later, Julius C. Trimble was elected a bishop in the United Methodist church. Delegates who participated in the process and those of us who watched (bishops don’t vote in Jurisdictional Conference, they preside) were truly surprised. Like Samuel, who thought that he knew which son of Jesse God would choose to follow King Saul, we labored under a similar preconception. Instead of the Jurisdiction electing the candidate that appeared to be at the door of the episcopacy, Jurisdictional delegates elected Julius Calvin Trimble. Bishop Trimble’s unexpected election caused a number of us to concede that his election was “A GOD THING.” For all the necessary strategizing, consulting, and politicking required by the election process, the hand of God brought forth Bishop Trimble.
For the past four years, I have placed a high priority on The Great Commission. My body, soul, mind and spirit have been consumed with this emphasis. Everyone in the Michigan Area from the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, the Cabinet, Program Staff/Ministry Consultants to Pastors and Laity has been charged to do the same. While I’ve dreamed of tangible results like growing churches, effective stewardship, passionate pastors and laity who are excited about the gifts given them to serve the church, and while I’ve heartily applauded and supported the way we do MISSION declaring it second to none, Trimble’s election reminded me of the great things GOD DOES while we pursue our vision and version of God’s will.
In the July Michigan Christian Advocate (page 5), Conference Statistician Brent Webster lifted up “A GOD THING” in his Detroit Conference report. “Membership fell 1.47 percent. Yet, Flint District reported a 27.58% increase in professions of faith.” Even more miraculous, “the huge increase in enrollment of children, youth and adults in non-Sunday morning Christian education programs” is happening.
When I met Paul Thomas and Diane Brown on July 31, 2008 regarding hopes and dreams for future annual conferences, Paul mentioned another GOD THING. Pastors Brad Kalajainen and Ken Nash from the West Michigan Annual Conference led a Continuing Education segment on Church Growth for the Detroit Annual Conference. When they finished, a three to five minute standing ovation ensued. Immediately, 200 DVD’s were requested. “As of July 31, 2008 requests for the Kalajainen/Nash presentation have climbed to over 400.” Said Paul Thomas. “A GOD THING” I CONCLUDED.
Negro spirituals have this capacity. The line “I’m gonna lay down my burdens down by the riverside and study war nor more” is “A GOD THING.” An enslaved community makes the cessation of war another priority alongside the pursuit of its own freedom. In our focus on The Great Commission, the anti-war.com website presents two sets of figures that pleased for the church to make ‘study war no more” a present reality alongside church growth. “As of 7/31/08, 6:56 EDT, American deaths in Iraq stood at 4,127. Iraqi deaths were 1,251,944.”
Finally, I am reminded that “GOD THINGS” come in a variety of packages. Not being elected a bishop at Jurisdictional Conference is every bit “A GOD THING” as being elected. Our future with God on earth and in heaven is connected with open and closed doors. When a door has closed temporarily or permanently, the God of our weary years has prepared another place of ministry for us to transform the world. Most importantly, God has chosen that place for us to serve God and neighbor. I’m convinced. Where I am in ministry is “A GOD THING.”