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June 07, 2006
As I Approach My Second Annual Conference
It is amazing to me that we are about to begin the 2nd Annual Conference Session since my appointment to the Holston Annual Conference. The time has gone by so fast and as I reflect over this almost two year period here are some of my thoughts.
There are some very gifted and committed persons both lay and clergy who serve God in and through the ministries of the local churches and extension ministry settings of the Holston Annual Conference. There are congregations that are experiencing growth and vitality, joy and celebration and renewal. There are clergypersons that are excited about serving Jesus by serving people. There are many lay persons that volunteer their time, gifts, talents and financial resources on behalf of the cause of Christ. There are many pastors and families that make tremendous sacrifices for the cause of Christ and never bring any attention to their sacrifices. I celebrate this and give God the praise.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
I have found that a smaller group of churches and clergypersons that are mired in depression, disenchantment, disappointment, and caught in a vicious cycle of blaming everyone for the state of affairs in their churches and in their personal lives. It is regrettable that we often focus so much of our attention on the disappointments, lack of effectiveness, depressing conditions that we never can see all the places and people that are experiencing and appreciating the blessings of God.
I believe passionately that we need to reach out in love and service to those who are caught in these conditions but I believe with equal passion that we need to learn how to celebrate and draw strength, hope, courage, faith, and motivation from those places and people where the Holy Spirit is breaking through. We must find a way to make the main thing the main thing. Winning people to Christ is what we are called to do through Word and deed. The potential is there. The promise of God to never leave us or forsake us is there. The resources are there.
We must focus on God’s Vision for us, develop a stronger work ethic, get on our knees and pray and give space for the Holy Spirit to move among us and then follow where the Holy Spirit leads. I want to be a part of that kind of a movement and it can begin at Lake Junaluska this upcoming week.
Posted by Bishop at June 7, 2006 10:28 AM