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I have been writing about the various ways we see General Conference. It is doctrinal authority, it is family reunion, it is business session and it is also a revival.
In the early days of Methodist Conferences in America—especially quarterly conferences—people experience justification and committed their lives to Christ. For believers, these conferences were times of spiritual renewal and significant spiritual growth toward entire sanctification.
This historic practice continues today in the form of worship services and prayer ministries that take place at our conferences. Here at this General Conference, the Episcopal Address, the Laity addresses, the Young Peoples’ address and the evening worship services have been powerful. During Bishop Weaver’s presentation, I was moved to tears and was reminded of why I accepted the call to preach and then the call to serve as a bishop.
Many persons see the actions taken in the business session or the teaching about our doctrines and feel either pleased or disappointed. However, those attending General Conference have also been influenced by the worship and teaching that will never be included in the Book of Discipline or Book of Resolutions. I think there have been many inspirational moments that have impacted the lives of all who were present and all who followed online.
I have supported the Call to Action. At every point, the leaders of that effort have been clear. General Conference’s actions can help us focus on our resources on increasing the number of vital congregations. But the most important steps we can take for this effort are not legislative. They are changed behaviors by bishops, District Superintendents, pastors, lay leaders and individual United Methodists. Thus, the revival aspect of General Conference will change hearts and minds and further our progress to the church we need to be in the future.
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Welcome to extremecenter.com, a place for conversation about the future of Christianity in general and The United Methodist Church in particular. I created this website as a way of sharing my views on a number of issues and inviting responses from others. It contains links to all of my books, many of my written papers, and my blogs. I will be monitoring email, facebook and twitter responses and will respond to as many as I can.
I believe the world needs Christ. I am committed to sharing the gospel and producing the kind of fruit Jesus has asked of us. Moreover, I am convinced that the Wesleyan version of the gospel is what many people in many countries are looking for. It is focused on justification and sanctification, individual salvation and building spiritual communities. It is multinational and powerfully local. It is inclusive of all races. It empowers women. It cares for the poor and the oppressed. It pays attention to the whole Scripture, teaching the doctrines that comprise its general tenor. While we remain open to learning from other branches of the Christian church and even other faith communities, we are committed to living out our faith in new and creative ways. We must leave behind our tired mediocrity and commit to excellence and fruitfulness for our Lord.