General Conference Postponed Until 2024
In case you have not heard the news, General Conference in the United Methodist Church is postponed until 2024. This means that there will not be a General Conference in 2022. The decision to postpone was reached with the aftermath of the Covid world pandemic and the challenge of global delegates obtaining visas in time to travel for the conference.
Our Bishop, David Graves, has written the following regarding the postponement.
“I am aware this decision sparks many emotions. Some of you are relieved that this allows us to focus on ministry for the next two years and others are disappointed that proposed legislation will not be discussed.”
He also shared some personal thoughts.
“I have preached over the years we move forward in ministry together. The constant discussions about General Conference do not need to distract us. It is doing more harm and distracting us from mission. I was consecrated as a UMC Bishop and will remain one. I see great opportunity in the midst of the chaos of the United Methodist Church. While my prayer has been that each Clergyperson and church live into what God is calling them to be, I want to encourage you to stay in the denomination. No, we do not know what this will be, but we have many years of history that we will build upon. We are better when we focus on leading than leaving. There is a place for you in the United Methodist Church.”
In my role as your Lead Pastor, I want to affirm these words of the Bishop. The speculation of the General Conference meeting or not meeting and what will happen has been a huge distraction.
I challenge us to share the good news of Jesus like never before! Let’s focus on making disciples of Jesus. As Jesus said in Matthew, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37b-38).
In 2022, right now, the harvest is great! So let us get to work!
Shalom,
Philip
Our Bishop, David Graves, has written the following regarding the postponement.
“I am aware this decision sparks many emotions. Some of you are relieved that this allows us to focus on ministry for the next two years and others are disappointed that proposed legislation will not be discussed.”
He also shared some personal thoughts.
“I have preached over the years we move forward in ministry together. The constant discussions about General Conference do not need to distract us. It is doing more harm and distracting us from mission. I was consecrated as a UMC Bishop and will remain one. I see great opportunity in the midst of the chaos of the United Methodist Church. While my prayer has been that each Clergyperson and church live into what God is calling them to be, I want to encourage you to stay in the denomination. No, we do not know what this will be, but we have many years of history that we will build upon. We are better when we focus on leading than leaving. There is a place for you in the United Methodist Church.”
In my role as your Lead Pastor, I want to affirm these words of the Bishop. The speculation of the General Conference meeting or not meeting and what will happen has been a huge distraction.
I challenge us to share the good news of Jesus like never before! Let’s focus on making disciples of Jesus. As Jesus said in Matthew, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37b-38).
In 2022, right now, the harvest is great! So let us get to work!
Shalom,
Philip
Recent
Categories
Archive
2023
2022
January
February
Bread House Week 932023 is calling already! Will you answer?Guidebook 2022Most Welcoming RugWhat we Know Even When We Do Not KnowFOLLOW ME Begins, Ash Wednesday, March 2Bread House Week 94Bread House Week 95Members are to Become and Make DisciplesBread House Week 96Ash Wednesday is a Big Day and Some of the Reasons Why
March
August
2021
January
February
State of Shalimar United Methodist Church 2021Check It Out! Feb 7, 202140-Day Lent DevotionsWeek 42 Bread HouseUsing the New Church AppIn Praise of our Ministry TeamsA Word from Our Librarian - Feb 14, 2021Week 43 Bread HouseBread House Week 44Announcing a New Children's Ministry DirectorLearning from History and Including All as JesusLibrary NewsBread House Week 45How You Can Help Refer Families to Blessings for Children
March
Time to Nominate this Year’s Hospitality Award WinnerBread House Week 46Around the SUMC LibraryBread House Week 47Time Change is This SundayBread House Week 48Save the Dates…A Month of Special SundaysUpdated Shalimar UMC Covid Protocol for Holy WeekBread House Week 49Easter Lily ProjectGiving Dandelions
April
God Has the Final Word!Bread House Week 50Week 51 at the Bread HouseSome Clues for the Unforgettable Message After EasterWhat have we missed? What will be the same? Different?Week 52 at the Bread HouseMake Us One...Thank You from REBOOT Class MemberEighteen Lives and Eternal LifeNUMBERS and NAMESWeek 54 at the Bread HouseSenior RecognitionVBSThe “SHIPS” of the Church
No Comments