Ministers' Convocation
Only 5 weeks away

By Mary K. Briggs
Dean, 2007 Ministers' Convocation

Ministers' Convocation will be held Feb. 5- 8 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. The theme is "Come to the Mount." We will focus on the Beatitudes as found in the fifth chapter of Matthew. Just as Jesus invited his disciples to gather around him so that he might teach them, Holston pastors are invited to take some time to get away and gather on the mount in order to focus on the meaning of the Beatitudes.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus does not convey blessing. He does not give the meek, pure in heart, peacemakers, etc., something they do not already have. He recognizes an existing state of blessedness. Together, we will seek to discover the various states of blessedness in which we live, move, and have our being. This event will not be a "how to" session. The emphasis will be on claiming and celebrating this blessedness.

Keynote speaker will be the Rev. Laurence H. Stookey, professor of preaching and worship at Wesley Theological Seminary, and pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Allen, Md. Stookey is author of "This Day: A Wesleyan Way of Prayer and Calendar: Christ's Time for the Church." Stookey's reflections on the Beatitudes will consider the spiritual life of the pastor and invite us to consider how we are called to embrace the Beatitudes in our lives and to strengthen our ministry.

Bible study leader will be the Rev. James Howell, senior pastor at Myers Park UMC in Charlotte, N.C., and author of "The Beatitudes for Today." In his book, Howell reminds readers that what our culture teaches us is contrary to Jesus' words. He will help us focus on the exegetical meanings of this text, challenging us to rethink the way we have traditionally heard its message.

Worship services will be led by Angel Christ, a musical evangelist from the Western North Carolina Conference. Each day will begin with a time of "centering" led by Angel Christ. Stookey will preach the opening worship service on Monday evening. Tuesday will feature a TaizÈ service. Howell will preach on Wednesday evening. At the closing service on Thursday, Bishop James Swanson will serve as preacher and celebrant of communion.

The six Workshop Paths will take their names from the Beatitudes, providing pastors with opportunity to spend small-group time focusing on a particular statement within Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Workshop leaders will include the Rev. Neil Christie, assistant general secretary for ministry with the General Board of Church and Society; Robert Lair, co-founder of the New Sudan Education Initiative; Karla Kincannon, founder of SpiritArt Ministries; and Cecille Adams, personal and professional coach with the Creative Coaching Center.

Other activities include a mountaintop hike, a 5-kilometer run/walk, and personal consultations in professional coaching, physical fitness, and spiritual direction.

A new feature of this year's convocation is a "Meet the Author" session on Wednesday afternoon. Participants will covenant to read one of four books authored by presenters Christie, Kincannon, Howell, or Stookey. For an extra $10, participants may meet with the selected author to ask questions about the selected book.

The program fee for Ministers' Convocation is $75. An early-bird discount of $25 is offered to clergy registering before Jan. 15. Accommodations are not included. For more information or to register online, go to www. convocation.holston.org.

The Rev. Briggs is pastor at Madam Russell/ Tate's Chapel UMC, Abingdon District.