The work of the General Conference is well under way. Today the legislative committees are meeting. They will act on the petitions submitted to General Conference. They do so after being inspired by the Episcopal Address, Laity address and Young People’s Address.
Bishop Peter Weaver gave the Episcopal Address and focused on how first and foremost we are followers of Jesus Christ and it is that commitment that we bring to our decision making. As he said “Before any of us had a resolution in our hands to vote on, we had a resolution in our hearts to devote ourselves to the living Christ.”
The Laity Address was shared by three people; Betty Katiyo from West Zimbabwe, Steve Furr from the Alabama-West Florida Conference and Amory Peck from the Pacific-Northwest Conference. They covered many topics, but they all encouraged all baptized Christians to be in ministry wherever they are in their world. We are all ministers of Christ and if all people of the world are to know Christ, they will know Him through our actions and words.
The Young People’s Address was shared by Krin Ali from Denver and Joy Eve Algodon-Bohol from Cebu, Phillipines. Krin was on the speakers platform and Joy participated over a video feed from the Phillipines. While focusing on a positive future they picked up on Pauls 1st letter to Timothy, “This charge I entrust to you that you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience I charge you in the presence of God who gives life to all things and of Christ Jesus to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” From this they picked up their theme repeated several times from different illustrations recognizing that the United Methodist Church was, “Charged, Rooted and United.”
There will be many debates, but the feeling of the conference is hopeful and focused on our purpose to "Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
I will be posting a few thoughts on General Conference.
Our Rocky Mountain Conference delegates to General Conference are blogging on a regular basis at
There is also a General Conference app for your smartphone and the official site at www.umc.org. These are places for a more detailed explanation of the proceedings of the General Conference.
Grace and peace,
Michael
