United Methodist bishops urged to do soul check

Translate Page


United Methodist leaders discuss a report from the Call to Action steering committee during a meeting of the denomination's Council of Bishops.
A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*
Nov. 2, 2009 | LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS)

Soul matters.

As the United Methodist Council of Bishops gathered for their fall meeting, church officials were reminded to pay attention to the "soulful" qualities of Christian leadership.

"Never forget we traffic in hope," Bishop Gregory Palmer said in his presidential address. "Our mission doesn't depend completely on us. God is relentless in God's purpose."


Bishop Gregory Palmer
A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose.

The church is facing serious challenges and is "awash in truth and reality checks." But that's not the whole message, he said.

"We have told it like it is so well we have become a fearful people. We have sent messages that there isn't enough of this or that. But that is only a part of our job. The other part is to say we have everything we need if only we have the eyes to see it."

During the Nov. 1-5 meeting, the bishops will be in conversation around "preparing principled Christian leaders," one of the four areas of focus adopted by the 2008 General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body.

Palmer reminded the bishops that a leader does not need to be at the podium.

"In our quest to grow the church, may we not lose our courage and our voice to stand even if it is unpopular. The greatest courage will be to have honest conversations in this council. We seem to walk right up to and then lose our heart."

Call to Action report

In other action, the Call to Action steering committee created by the council in May to look at the future of the church is recommending a churchwide assessment that would include examining general agencies, annual conferences and the Council of Bishops itself.

"The United Methodist Church is a complex organization," said Bishop Larry Goodpaster, project director. "It is hard to get a handle on what happens or how you get anything moving. It's hard to be a movement when we have become an institution."

We invite you to join the dialogue. Share your comments.

Post a comment

The committee recommended hiring an independent contractor for the next phase of the process. The outside group would be under the direction of a new 12-member steering committee to be led by Palmer.

The contractor would gather feedback from a large range of United Methodists, perhaps in an online survey, Goodpaster said.

The Council of Bishops is scheduled to act on the committee's recommendation Nov. 4.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or [email protected].

Related Articles

Bishop Palmer offers vision for areas of focus

Bishops launch Rethink Church with worker outreach

Bishops roll back wages in sign of sacrifice

Redeploy church resources, financial officers say

Lawmakers praise church as civil voice on poverty

Resources

The Connectional Table

Council of Bishops

Comments will be moderated. Please see our Comment Policy for more information.
Comment Policy

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
Mission and Ministry
Antonio Francisco fills a bag with dried corn at the farm at the United Methodist Quéssua Mission near Malanje, Angola. A covenant relationship begun by now retired Bishop Warner H. Brown along with Bishops Jose Quipungo and Gaspar João Domingos has provided pastoral support to United Methodist pastors in Angola for 20 years. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Conference partnership with East Angola celebrates 20 years

Today, the Mountain Sky Conference provides $50 a month to over 100 clergy and supports an agricultural program overseen by a missionary.
Bishops
United Methodist Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño stands as the presiding bishop reads the jury verdict on Sept. 22, the fourth day of her church trial in Glenview, Ill. Carcaño was found not guilty on all four charges against her. At right is the Rev. Scott Campbell, who represented Carcaño during the trial. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Church court finds bishop not guilty

After deliberating for more than five hours, a jury of fellow United Methodist clergy rendered a verdict acquitting Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño on all counts.
Bishops
United Methodist Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño testifies in her defense on Sept. 21, the third day of her church trial in Glenview, Ill. The suspended bishop of the California-Nevada Conference is accused of disobeying the order and discipline of The United Methodist Church, undermining the ministry of another pastor and committing harassment and fiscal malfeasance. Carcaño has pleaded not guilty to all four charges. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Trial sees defense of bishop, closing remarks

A jury of fellow United Methodist clergy heard from witnesses defending the actions of Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, who is facing charges in the denomination’s first trial of a bishop in nearly a century.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2023 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved