GC2008: The Experience

Along with a group of clergy from Resurrection, I am traveling to Fort Worth to experience several days of the 2008 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. This is a global gathering that happens every four years and is the only body that can speak for the denomination.

I am looking forward to see, hear, experience, feel, and be a part of the conference.

I suggest that you find out more here - http://gc2008.umc.org

You might also check for bloggers present at the entire event, including…

• Mark
• Adam
• Luke

Methodist Bloggers Bracket Challenge - Your Invitation

I invite you to join the Methodist Bloggers online NCAA March Madness bracket group! (This group is open to all United Methodists who blog.) To accept this invitation and join the group, click the link below (or cut and paste the link into your browser’s address bar). You’ll be asked to enter the group’s password before you can join. The group password is included below.

http://methodistbloggers.mayhem.sportsline.com/e

Our Group password is: johnwesley

There are only a few days left to finish your brackets. As well as creating a bracket, I invite you to share the invitation with other Methodist bloggers. You might:

• Call your friends in the conference.
• Email the bishop (Does your bishop blog?)
• Post an invitation on your blog.

One last thing…
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!

Emergent Church - Does anyone care?

I really resonate with Jared’s post - Emerging Boredom. I have lost a lot of enthusiasm for what has variously been known as the emerging movement, emergent, emerging church - whatever terminology you wish to use. I have tangibly seen this transition in my annual goals which included reading books and visits to churches who would claim to be doing church in a new way.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am passionate about renewal within The United Methodist Church and within the church universal. However, I have lost interest in particular authors and the emergent, emerging, emersion “brand”. This has partially been influenced by my friend, Ben, but I have also seen the development within myself over the past 18 months. I am more excited about solid leadership and renewal of the fervor and discipline of early Methodism within the denomination and throughout the state of Kansas (my particular context).

What do you think?

Influencing the United Methodist Church

Last week one of my colleagues asked, Are you comfortable with the influence that The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has on the United Methodist Church?

Yes, I am comfortable with the influence that Resurrection has on the denomination. I think that Resurrection seeks to represent the extreme center in the United Methodist Church and within the religious dialogue in the United States. I think that this is a voice that is desperately needed within the denomination and a voice is able to speak in meaningful ways to those outside the denomination - both non religious persons and those of other denominations. I believe that Resurrection is thoroughly Christian, Methodist and Wesleyan and I feel great about those influences shaping the denomination.

However, I also recognize that there are many churches and leaders across the world that are working for renewal within The United Methodist Church and within local churches. I think that Resurrection has a lot to learn from others as well. I think that the denomination is healthier with many congregations and leaders actively seeking and working toward renewal.

Every day that I am at church I pray for spiritual revival in Kansas, renewal within The United Methodist Church, wisdom and endurance for delegates to General Conference and Resurrection’s purpose, vision and journey. I believe that all of these can be and are influenced by the others and I hope to be a part of God’s work in this place and time.

• What do you think about all this?
• Do you think that Resurrection has an influence on the denomination? If so, is it an appropriate level?
• What congregations do believe have significant influence on The United Methodist Church?
• What individuals do believe have significant influence on The United Methodist Church?
• What other topics did I leave out of this conversation which need to be addressed?