(Dancers from United Methodist-related Pfeiffer University help introduce a report to General Conference from United Women in Faith. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.)

God desires us to experience a deep and intimate interconnectedness, a relationship that is as vulnerable as it is transforming…a kin-dom in which even those labeled “the least” receive the most of our love.

—Bishop Karen Oliveto

Today’s morning worship, beginning as always at 8:00, was vibrant with global music, multilayered prayer, and preaching that resonated with prophetic energy. In her sermon, Bishop Karen Oliveto, focusing on Jesus’ revelation that his heart is either blessed or broken by the way we treat “the least of these,” issued a challenge to become more faithfully and riskily the kind of church that truly sees those souls that are too often ignored and marginalized. “Every single one of us has someone we don’t see,” the Bishop declared. “We can’t be the church if we are defining ourselves by those we are leaving out. It begs the question: Have we ever let Christ in?!”

What an unsettling question to ponder! “Have we ever let Christ in?” Perhaps it is a primary question for every church as it considers and evaluates its ministry. 

Our worship concluded today with the consecration of several persons to the Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner—the only recognized office in the United Methodist Church for laity called to full-time vocations in servant ministries. Through today’s consecration, these called and faithful servants of God (including Western Pennsylvania’s own Leanna Lake) were set apart for vital and representative ministry on behalf of the church. I was authentically moved as bishops prayed prayers of consecration for each Deaconess and Home Missioner, celebrating each person’s present and future ministry in the life of the church. 

In today’s plenary sessions, in addition to gathering nominations for essential General Conference committees, we received a number of reports from various portions of United Methodism:

• United Women in Faith, whose ministries of justice, advocacy, mission, Christian education, and spiritual formation are rightly described as the backbone of the church
• United Methodist Men, who are envisioning new ways to engage the men of our congregations in mission and ministry
• Africa University, whose educational work continues to have a significant impact throughout Africa
• Higher Education and Ministry, celebrating the continued work of United Methodist-related schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries
• Wespath—The agency that administers pension plans for United Methodist clergy and laity (Wespath has submitted legislation to General Conference that, if approved, will transition the clergy pension plan to an account based plan—yet another manifestation of denominational restructuring to ensure sustainability.)

Throughout the late morning and afternoon, substantial time was devoted to one of the most pressing challenges of the global church—specifically, the significant tension between the need for additional bishops on the continent of Africa (where United Methodism continues to grow) and the hard financial realities of the current denomination (resulting in a 42% reduction in the recommended denominational budget). We approved the creation of two additional episcopal areas in Africa which will result in two additional bishops. It is an insufficient number, and that fact is fully acknowledged by the General Conference. Yet, the two additional bishops are at least an affirmation of a profound need for leadership in Africa that the denomination must and will continue to address.

The day concluded with a Service of Lament, Confession, and Hope—a brief time of worship in which we denounced the sexual abuse and misconduct that has occurred within the United Methodist Church, confessed the complicity (often through silence) of laity and clergy in the harm caused, and reaffirmed our belief in the healing and redemptive love of God. It was both a time of prayerful truth-telling and a celebration of God’s faithfulness and grace.

As I move toward what I hope will be a good night’s rest, I am thankful for the day. It felt like a good beginning to a week that will demand some hard and vitally important conversations and decisions.

Peace.