General Conference of the United Methodist Church
General Conference of the United Methodist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 23 through May 3rd has begun. If you are interested in updates, I would highly recommend you go to the following website: https://www.greatplainsumc.org/umcgc-dailynews
Bishop David Wilson, our episcopal leader, provides an update via video and you have opportunity to dig deeper into the issues at hand, if you would like.
I have had many ask why I am not involved in the General Conference. In my 38 years of ordained ministry, I have never put my name forth for consideration. That is very intentional on my part. In addition, I am not very involved at the Great Plains Conference level (Kansas/Nebraska), and people have asked me why I chose not to participate at that level. My answer is authentic and simple. I want to invest all of my time and energy into the local church. In our case, Chapel Hill. I am grateful for those who feel called to serve at other levels of the church. I have never had a discerned call to serve, nor do I have a desire to invest in the process that takes me away from the parish setting. Again, thanks be to God there are those who really enjoy serving at that level and can articulate a call to serve God in that way. Many years ago, a pastor colleague for whom I have deep respect came up to me at one of our clergy gatherings and asked if I would be open to having my name submitted for consideration (you have to be elected) to serve at General Conference. I simply looked at the pastor without saying a word and she responded, “I already know your answer!”
May we be in prayer for our sisters and brothers – clergy and laity – who faithfully serve the General Church.