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wings
Did it make any difference?
The answer to that question is the true test of any meeting or endeavor. I have thought long and hard about that question since the final gavel was struck at the 2006 Holston Annual Conference in Lake Junaluska. I watched on opening night as we heard from and affirmed women clergy from the past, the present - and from those who will continue to lead our communities, pulpits, and homes here and around the world for years to come.
During one of the breaks (I believe it was Monday afternoon), a young adult woman approached me on the stage of Stuart Auditorium. She said, "Bishop, I am a visitor to this conference from West Palm Beach, Fla. I am here accompanying my grandfather, a lay member from one of your churches in Athens, Tenn. I really wasn't excited about coming to an annual conference meeting, but now I am so glad I came. Last night as I watched all the women clergy of this conference give leadership, I was so inspired.
"You see, I have been toying around with a call to ministry. The gathering and worship last night were so moving that I realized, I need to give serious consideration to my call."
Well, did it make a difference? I would like to think that for that young woman, it did.
I watched Bishop Scott Jones of Kansas honestly and with biblical integrity help us wrestle - not just with scripture related to women in ordained ministry - but also with respecting the Bible and giving serious time to interpretation. I am not naÔve enough to believe that Bishop Jones resolved these issues for everyone, but I am convinced, as I listened to conversations around the edge, that he helped those who wanted a better understanding of the United Methodist position on women in ministry.
I was in awe of the number of persons ordained as elders and deacons. I saw on each of their faces a tremendous desire to make a difference for Jesus. I had the privilege of meeting with them back in May, as they shared their calls and talked about their passions for ministry. They leave me with a great sense of hope for the next few years. The Board of Lay Ministry was also excited about the new crop of local pastors and wanted to pray with them and give spiritual support and affirmation to their calls. I see new possibilities for lay and clergy partnership in our mutual ministry.
The Discipleship Team report made us proud and helped us to see that we are making a difference in Holston, Zimbabwe, Alaska, Estonia, and Sudan; through our camps, Resurrection, and Divine Rhythm; and with our children, people in prisons, and those who never knew Christ until the Holy Spirit inspired us to speak.
The worship throughout conference was so uplifting, inspiring, and Holy Spirit-led that it was as if heaven descended upon us. The congregational singing was so moving that one choir was moved to tears as we lifted our voices together and sang praises to the God of our salvation.
I witnessed children, youth, young adults, middle-age adults, older adults, African Americans, Euro-Americans, and Hispanic Americans worshipping God in and through Jesus in such a way that I saw a glimpse of what heaven shall be like.
I believe Annual Conference made a difference, and I believe that whenever the people of God gather with their minds set on praising and responding in positive ways to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, it makes a difference.
It made a difference for me. What about you?
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Bishop James Swanson
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