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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I am still convinced that the constitutional amendments defeated in 2010 are the right way forward. Several delegates who opposed their approval have come to me this week and said they have changed their minds. They now see the wisdom of the way forward proposed by the Council of Bishops and Connectional Table.

This General Conference has approved two small but significant steps forward and received a global model for conversation.

The first step is the adoption of a Covenant. The Study Committee hopes this covenant will shape our hearts and minds and will bring greater mutual understanding and respect. There is a litany that can be used in annual conferences, central conferences, jurisdictional conferences and local churches. The more we ponder these words, the more our awareness will be raised.

The second step was the adoption of a proposal that has been called a Global Book of Discipline. Petition 20407 is actually a first step toward that goal. As amended, it says that parts I-IV are not subject to adaptation by Central Conferences. The Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, in consultation with the Committee on Faith and Order, will bring suggestions about which paragraphs of part V are to be listed here. Once that list is complete, it would be possible to publish a global Book of Discipline. It is also possible that Parts I-IV could be published in other languages immediately, and I have heard some ideas floated for that purpose.

Part I is the Constitution. Part II is Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task. Part III is the Ministry of All Christians. Part IV is the Social Principles.

The third step is contained in our report on pages 1276-77 of the Advanced Daily Christian Advocate, volume 2 section 2. It is a global model for the future. The Study Committee believes that it is premature to act on this model, but we hope that the Global Book of Discipline and more conversation will prepare the way for action in 2016.

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Russ Richey has taught me that conference in the Methodist/United Methodist tradition has multiple purposes. One of them is family reunion. It started out as the covenant of itinerant clergymen who gathered annually and sang “And are we yet alive, to see each other’s face, glory and thanks to God for his almighty grace”. Over time the family grew to include lay members of conference and clergywomen as well. The General Conference had the same characteristics as the annual conferences, especially for those who attend several times in a row. As the church has expanded geographically, we are now multi-national, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and

We United Methodists are a family. We are sisters and brothers in Christ, and thus bound together with all other Christians. However, there is no unified Christian church to which we belong. We belong to particular denominations, and so the United Methodist Church is our most functional family.

We are bound together by our common doctrine, our common mission, and our common discipline. As we preach together, pray together, worship together and serve God together we build relationships. We form communities that embody the unity of the church and embody the missional work of the faith. Preeminently these communities are found in local congregations. Each annual conference is a family as well, and United Methodist clergy live in their conferences. Lay members of conference also belong to that community.

For everyone who comes to General Conference, both delegates and observers, a new form of the United Methodist family appears. In many cases this happens because people who have been partners across US/Central Conference lines, worked on general agency boards, or worked in Volunteer in Mission projects see each other again. These relationship are powerful, affirming, and help embody the diversity of the Body of Christ.

However, some families are dysfunctional. Such families allow for mistrust to breed. When leaders fail to behave properly, a breach between the leaders and the rest of the family develops and dysfunction increases. Sometimes these breaches develop because leaders misbehave. Sometimes family members take positions in the family system bent on disruption.

Most families I know have some level of conflict. The difference is that healthy families process their conflict well, usually exemplifying openness, honesty, love, transparency and integrity. Unhealthy families allow conflict to spiral out of control and use a variety of means to inflict harm on each other.

I have appreciated the opportunities at this General Conference for holy conferencing. We often have members of our family who are passionately committed to their proposals. We have occasionally behaved as a dysfunctional family using abusive, dishonest or manipulative behaviors to win. If we believe that conferencing is a means of grace, and that our goal is to discern the will of God for the people called United Methodists, we should exhibit the values that characterize a healthy family.

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Constitutionally Protected Standards of Doctrine: Constitution, Articles of Religion, Confession of Faith, General Rules, Wesley’s Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament, and Wesley’s Sermons.

Contemporary Statements of the General Conference: Part II of the BOD (Our Doctrinal History, Our Doctrinal Heritage, Our Theological Task), Part III  Ministry of All Christians (including the Mission Statement), Part IV Social Principles, doctrinal parts of the BOD, Book of Resolutions.

Liturgy: The United Methodist Hymnal and United Methodist Book of Worship.

I argue that these three levels differ in authority with Standards of doctrine (the hardest to change) being most authoritative and liturgy being least authoritative.

My concern is that most delegates to the General Conference do not know what we mean by the phrase “United Methodist Doctrine”. Seminary graduates from some schools have studied my book. But some seminaries do not use it and some annual conference Boards of Ordained Ministry do not want to focus on doctrine and so ignore it.

My academic concern is that since this book was published (about 10 years ago) there has been no serious discussion of my proposal. On some days I think it is because I have interpreted the Book of Disicipline correctly. On other days, I worry that there are people who strongly disagree with me but we have not yet found ways of talking about it well. For example, The Social Principles are doctrine because all of our doctrine is intended to be persuasive. It is also authoritative with whatever authority people give to our church as a whole.

My leadership concern is that we need a broader and deeper understanding in order to pursue our mission. Our doctrine is fundamental to the mission statement and to our practice of evangelism and our work for social justice. It is also part of the glue holding our global church together.

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Who has the ultimate teaching authority for the United Methodist Church? The answer is the General Conference. Part of what happens at each General Conference is prayerful discernment about what we should teach as the gospel of Jesus Christ. This goes back to one of the questions Wesley asked at the first Conference in 1744.

Because our General Conference no longer has all of the traveling elders of the Connection present (we have had delegated general conferences since 1812) and because not all of the lay members of annual conference are present, some of our doctrinal statements are protected by restrictive rules that require a ¾ vote of all annual conference members to change them. The Articles of Religion, Confession of Faith, General Rules, Wesley’s Sermons and Wesley’s Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament are covered by these rules. Other doctrinal statements are not protected in these ways. The rest of Part II of the Book of Discipline, Part III (The ministry of all Christians, including the mission statement) and the Social Principles are doctrinal statements of the General Conference. They are binding on the worldwide church and are official church teaching.

Thus, when we ask candidates for ordination, “Have you studied our doctrines? Will you preach and maintain them?” These are the beliefs we are referring to. It is General Conference that has the authority to establish our doctrine. In fact, for most of our history our book was called not the BOD, but “The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Church”. It is a chargeable offense for clergy to disseminate teachings that are contrary to our doctrinal standards.

I hope that we will talk about doctrinal matters more and get a better understanding of what we believe. Many of the conversations about our church have doctrinal implications and the General Conference is engaged in those conversations in many different legislative committees.

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One of the most insightful comments I heard this week was from someone who said that we are like a patient who knows he has cancer, but just doesn’t want to have the surgery done. I hear no one disputing the facts, but lots of discussion about how best to respond.

One of the tweets I read this week said that people should recognize that support for Plan B and its version of restructuring the general agencies does not mean opposition to change. The author of this remark is quite correct.

However, all persons should recognize that the three major proposals for restructuring the general agencies differ primarily in how much change we need. Plan B is, in my view, a small step in the right direction. The Connection Table proposal is a big step in the right direction.

The crucial question for our work through the general agencies is alignment. The most powerful image in Adam Hamilton’s presentation Wednesday night was the individuals in kayaks competing, heading in different directions and sometimes colliding. The alternative is one team rowing one ship in the same direction, working together.

Our general agencies are staffed by good people who love the church and seek to make it fruitful. Many of us who watch their work have concluded that they suffer from being siloed. There is a significant amount of duplication, acting at cross purposes, operating alone and thus the effectiveness is much reduced.

The most important change the General Conference should make is to combine 8 agencies into one under one General Secretary. In this way we can maximize our fruitfulness in increasing the number of vital congregations.

Most of the support for Plan B is not focused on fruitfulness. Supporters do not argue that their plan will do a better job of increasing the number of vital congregations. They do not make that argument because their plan is focused on two objectives. First, they seek to minimize change by preserving as many silos as possible. Second, they worry about two much power invested in too few people.

We must always pay attention to the concentration of power and appropriate checks and balances. I hope the legislative committee moves to one board that is large enough to address these issues. However, it is time for our church to focus on the adaptive challenge and chose the maximum amount of change. We must stay focused on fruitfulness and effectiveness for our mission.

Two other considerations should be laid to rest. Some Central Conference delegates worry that the one board will reduce their resources and relationship to the general church. The CT and IOT did not make it clear enough that all of those relationships will continue. I believe they will even be more effective. Programs like Imagine No Malaria will be stronger and more fruitful.

Some have called the Call to Action a power grab by the bishops. This has always been inaccurate and a false, fearful response to change. The Call to Action has not given new ongoing powers to the Council. Instead, it has called for the Council as a group and individual bishops in their areas to do their work better and with greater accountability.

I tweeted yesterday that all who heard Adam Hamilton’s presentation Wednesday will go home changed. Even those who disagree have now seen the choices before us. We may choose the lesser change by adopting Plan B. That, despite my misgivings, is a step forward. But more change will be coming in the future.

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Early in my ministry I learned that serving Christ was not a solo performance. In my first appointment at Prosper United Methodist Church, I found out there were laity who knew much more about the mission opportunities and how best to approach them than I did. I spent five years as the pastor there, and some of the best ideas I had were stolen from other clergy in the Sherman-McKinney District. Jim Pledger taught me how to stage an evangelism event. Bob Robertson at the North Texas Conference office taught me about communications strategies. Gary Mueller showed me the power of asking the right question. While I have the spiritual gift of teaching, I learned that my colleagues have much to teach me!

As I got involved in leadership on the annual conference level, laity like John Croft, Richard Hearne, Jay Brim and Mary Brooke Casad gave me crucial insights. As a bishop, lay leaders like Oliver Green, Jill Foss, and Dixie Brewster have made significant contributions to our work at making Kansas East and West more vital conferences.

More recently, I have been making appointments for the churches of the Kansas Area. When I was a pastor, I committed to United Methodist itinerancy because I believed God worked through the bishop and cabinet. All of my appointments were good ones—and two of them were ones I would never have applied for in a call system. My faith in the appointment process was justified. Do you know how scary it is for me now that I am a bishop? That is why the cabinet and I pray a lot and why, once again, I am depending on my colleagues. The District Superintendents who serve on the Kansas Area Cabinet are faithful, wise people who usually know more than I about the pastors and churches we are discussing. They truly care about the missional effectiveness of every church in Kansas, and seek to match each clergy person with the place where their gifts can best be used. It is a privilege to work with this group of servants!

But what really prompted this blog was reading a blog by Bishop Robert Schnase this morning. He has written 30 meditations in preparation for General Conference. I have now read the first two, and they are powerful. (You can sign up for email reminders at www.ministrymatters.com/30Days). This reminded my of other episcopal colleagues who have shaped my ministry and helped our church move forward: Janice Huie and her call for United Methodism to become a movement again, Greg Palmer and his stewardship of the Call to Action, Sally Dyck and her tireless efforts to enhance the unity of the UMC, Ntambo Nkulu and his witness for peace, justice and reconciliation in Africa, Bruce Ough and his passion for world mission.

But then I remember the Scriptures and how we are baptized into the body of Christ. Mr. Wesley often stated that the New Testament knows nothing of solitary Christianity. Serving the Lord involves many people. As Paul made clear in several places, but most notably in 1 Corinthians 12, we all offer our gifts and each one is necessary to the whole body. Today I am thankful for my colleagues.

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Bishop Scott J. Jones, Kansas Area of The United Methodist Church

I wish to offer my support for House Bill 2712 and to speak on behalf of The United Methodist Church on the subject of illegal immigration more broadly.

Along with my colleague bishops from other churches and many other Christian groups, I am urging the Kansas Legislature to make Kansas a place that treats immigrants with the kind of hospitality and humane consideration that has been a hallmark of our state for more than 150 years.

We have repeatedly articulated three principles:

1. All persons are beloved by God and should be treated with dignity and respect. Leviticus 19:33-34 commands us to welcome the alien among us.

2. Kansas needs immigrants for a variety of reasons. Our economy, our culture and our way of life are enhanced by increased diversity. Just as immigration from Germany, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Korea, Vietnam and other countries has shaped our state for 150 years, so new immigrants from different countries will help us in many ways. We should welcome them and focus our efforts on genuine hospitality.

3. We must respect the laws of our country. We are a country of laws and respect for law is crucial to our way of life.  Scripture also commands us to respect and obey governmental authorities.  We are a nation shaped by the rule of law.  An economic and demographic situation that creates millions of persons who are not able to live with the full protection of the law is both unjust and detrimental to our future development. We should call upon the Federal government to find a legal way to resolve this situation for the benefit of all concerned.

House Bill 2712 exemplifies these principles. It recognizes we need these workers for our Kansas economy. It provides a way for them to contribute their labor and to receive the protection of our laws. It also recognizes the rule of law. It provides the kind of welcome we want to provide.

As a spiritual leader, I want to point to a larger need we have. Kansas needs people. We are worried about population decline in our rural counties. We need people with good values and strong family traditions. Our state is a better place with people who bring new ideas, new energy and new traditions to our communities.

On the other hand, you are considering some bills that I believe violate Christian principles. House Bill 2578 violates the biblical value of hospitality which has been a hallmark of our Kansas culture. By creating a hostile environment, we are sending a message that all persons of Hispanic origin are not welcome in our state.

House Bill 2576 has the same effect with an additional problem. It may criminalize my behavior. The United Methodist Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and many other Christian bodies are evangelizing Hispanic persons and welcoming them to Christian worship. I have preached the gospel in front of groups of Hispanics, ministering to their spiritual needs and offering to help them make Kansas a home for their families. I know many of these people and they are people with strong family values. But I cannot vouch for their immigration status. Do you expect me to ask for proof of citizenship as they enter our churches? If I preach the gospel or teach them English, and it turns out they are undocumented immigrants, am I guilty of harboring them and thus of a felony since there are more than 10 of them in the group? Please don’t send me or my preachers to jail for our obedience to Christ.

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In times like these, Christmas takes on a deeper meaning. Superficial sentimentality or even the family tensions that mark our celebrations and get-togethers fade into insignificance. Instead, we realize the depths of God’s love and the divine intervention into human history.

I was sharing my agony with my brother, Greg Jones, who called to my attention the third stanza of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” We should sing all of the stanzas more often, but the third speaks to people for whom Christmas is difficult:

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,⁶

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow,

Look now! for glad and golden hours

come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road,

And hear the angels sing!

Many people are ill. Others are grieving. Some are unemployed. Some are homeless. Some have no faith. Some are struggling with addictions. Some are spending the first holiday after a divorce. Others are gripped by fear and worry. There are many people “whose forms are bending low.”

The first message of Christmas is that God’s love is more powerful than any evil or tragedy we experience. At the Church of the Resurrection Christmas Program on December 10, Adam Hamilton put it eloquently. Their story that night recounted a father and daughter going through the first Christmas without the girl’s Mom and the man’s wife. Adam summarized the meaning of Christmas this way. He said, “The worst thing is never the last thing. Christ comes. Christmas comes.”

The second message of Christmas is that we should all “rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.”

I desperately miss being a pastor on Christmas Eve. Only once in fifteen years have I had that privilege. But I will be in worship on the 24^th and the 25^th, and I fully expect to hear the gospel proclaimed and the angels singing.

May you, wherever you are, hear them and be blessed.

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That is a way of talking about the adaptive challenge–“To redirect the flow of attention, energy, and resources to an intense concentration on fostering and sustaining an increase in the number of vital congregations effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

To get there we need agencies serving the general level of The United Methodist Church.

Please read this carefully. I believe all of the following statements are true:

• Our current general agencies are doing many wonderful things for which we should be thankful.
• The people who work on the staffs of our general agencies are faithful and committed leaders who bring their gifts to serve the whole church.
• We need general agencies that are aligned with each other and unified in their efforts with streamlined governance and lower administrative costs.
• We need agencies that are more nimble, creative, effective and focused on the adaptive challenge than we currently have. While our current agencies are good, there is considerable room for improvement.
• More general agency resources should be given to the task of increasing the number of vital congregations.
• We must measure fruit and not inputs.
• Our current proliferation of separate agencies is inefficient and confusing and some of our most creative staff are frustrated at how the system makes it hard to be fruitful.

The best agencies have been adapting over the last several years and are doing much better at serving the mission of the church. I am convinced that the Call to Action legislation will accelerate those positive changes and open up new opportunities for fruitful and effective general agencies in the 21st century. It is no longer 1972. We need change.

How many persons should serve as directors of the one agency that should replace the several program agencies? That is a question delegates will decide. How should we balance representation with effective governance? These are difficult issues. But I hope bringing the nine agencies into one is step we can take together. I am convinced that it will move us forward.

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