April 2008

Link: www.kansaseast.org/news_detail.asp?pkvalue=461

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

From Lisa Diehl, Director of Communications,

“The 2008 General Conference adopted an addition to the United Methodist mission statement. “The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” This is the expanded mission statement the Council of Bishops has been using throughout the quadrennium.” [Previously the mission statement was simply "The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ."]

“A lengthy discussion on the mission statement and what it should include preceded the vote. Rev. Adam Hamilton, Kansas East delegate, spoke in opposition to adding words to the proposed mission statement because “mission statements should be short.” The details of how that mission statement should be lived out can be done through preaching and teaching in the annual conferences and local churches.”

I’m with Adam on this one. Currently our local church mission statement is “The Mission of First United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.” There is much that we can/could add to this statement, but keeping it short was one reason we adopted the denominational statement as our own in the first place. Another reason is that the motivations me have to seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ are not exhausted by “for the transformation of the world” or any other single reason.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

From United Methodist New Service:

“FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS)—The United Methodist Church in Côte d’Ivoire, the largest regional conference of the worldwide denomination with almost 700,000 members, has received its full rights and responsibilities.”

“The action came April 27 at the 2008 General Conference, which meets every four years to conduct the business of the church. As a result, United Methodists in the West African country, which has only two delegates at this General Conference, will receive significantly greater representation at future assemblies. Expenses related to its bishop will now be covered by the United Methodist Episcopal Fund instead of by its own conference.”

“Four years ago, the Methodist Protestant Church of Côte d’Ivoire, an autonomous church, was admitted to the United Methodist fold, but the Judicial Council later ruled that the decision of the 2004 General Conference was incomplete.”

“In practical terms, the 2004 General Conference short-circuited the process for admission outlined in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, a legal and procedural guide. The church’s highest court ruled in 2006 that the disciplinary process required that the 2008 General Conference confirm the action.”

“’I am very joyful today, more than yesterday,’ said Bishop Benjamin Boni, leader of the Côte d’Ivoire Annual (regional) Conference. ‘We are today fully united in the church, and members in Côte d’Ivoire share together fully with others in The United Methodist Church.’”

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Bishop Jones will be presiding over the plenary session of General Conference this evening. You can watch here.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

From United Methodist News Service

“Noting that United Methodist churches in Africa are the fastest-growing components of the denomination, delegates [to General Conference] approved a request for $2 million for United Methodist theological schools on that continent.”

“The $2 million request for African theological schools would help seminaries across the continent train additional pastors for the growing church.”

“Tshibang Kasap Owan, a professor of the Mulungwishi Theological School in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, told delegates that the school receives 500 applicants each year, but because of budget constraint the school can only accept 10 to 20 students. The request for $2 million would help several African seminaries struggling in a similar manner.”

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

We’re looking at trying to schedule another VeggieTales™ Movie Event. Possible dates are June 15, 22, 29. Let me know if you have a preference at john@coffeyvillefirstumc.org.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Thanks to all the folks who have signed up to bring treats and make coffee for the fellowship time between early worship and Sunday school. The next open date if you want to contribute is June 22.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

I’ve been reading through the postings by the United Methodist News Service. So far the most newsworthy things seem to be a pension initiative to help retired pastors in Africa, the Phillipines and Eastern Europe survive (this is really what it is, survival) and the appointment of a task force to evaluate the church’s contribution to global climate change. It seems to me that we are still in the slow phase of general conference when the groundwork is being laid for heavy lifting later. I’ll try to keep you updated.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

I just checked out the schedule for General Conference they’re starting the day at 7 am and ending at 11 pm.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }