We Have Reasons to Celebrate

Last evening I forgot to mention the potato drop. All of you remember that we had one last summer well believe it or not there been one here at the GC. This time it was a sweet potato drop. Approximately 40,000 potatoes were taken to the Tarrant Area Food Bank, soup kitchens, food pantries, older adult centers, after-school programs and other agencies. Yes, even when in conferencing we are in mission. The Nothing but Nets Basketball tournament did take place on yesterday and as soon as I find out the results I will surely let everybody know.

This morning was a historical one for those of us who was a part of the old Central Jurisdiction. It was a celebration of the anniversary of it dissolution. The service was very tastefully done. If you get a chance go to the GC website and look at the celebration, it is very enlightening and well done. While the Central Jurisdiction was set up for the wrong reasons, lots of good came out of it. Several of our African – American leaders in the church grew up in the Central Jurisdiction. One such person that I can attest to is Bishop James King. Bishop Jonathon B. Keeton commended the conference for approving the “African American Heritage Center “. This video reminded me of where we have come from and gave me a new appreciation for where we are today. We had a celebration of the accomplishment of SBC2008 and it was a very educational experience tool. We were reminded that in order to transform our churches we must leave the pews and pound the pavement. The operative word is “transformation”. The challenge is to transform our thinking so that we will be able to transform the world. The delegation was introduced to our new officers for the Council of Bishops. In this we have two African American.

In observing the legislative section, it became apparent that we have lots of work to do. We are trying , but we must begin to think about what is good for the worldwide United Methodist Church and not just about the United Methodist Church in the United States. In the legislative session in which I was observing we were reminded that we must be more intentional when change the wording of the discipline as well as how we say things. This has not changed, just as we are sensitive to certain words the same relate to others. Sometimes a word that may seem innocent can translate differently in another culture. This is something we should do in our everyday lives. Why not start now thinking before we speak. Ask the question how would I feel. Several years ago the United Methodist Church published a study course titled "Words that Hurt". Maybe we need to revisit that course for our sake. I am not going to get on one of my soap boxes but all I ask is to think first and speak later. Until next time