“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. God is about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?” Isaiah 43:18-19
Transformation is here! Transformation is now! Transformation is on the move!
We are at a point in the life of our conference where we need to keep going and keep moving to the place I believe God is calling us. Many of you have heard and read about the Bishops’ “Call to Action,” in which we want to focus on creating vital local congregations over the next 10 years. What the call to action really means is a “call to traction,” whereby we are no longer spinning our wheels or sitting back waiting for change to happen.
I want to focus on where we are getting traction and moving forward. I realize this change does not happen without faith and commitment; thus, I want to thank you, laity and clergy, for helping move us out of the past and into the future. Let’s keep going!
I want to praise you for taking transformation seriously. I want to thank the many churches that made sacrifices to enable Christ’s message to be visible in our local communities and in the world.
Transformation is bursting out all over – do you not see it? I’ve seen glimpses of God’s transforming presence through the work of St. Paul UMC in downtown Dallas. When the neighborhood changed to an exciting arts district, the church changed its motto to become the “soul of the Arts District.” I’ve seen glimpses of God’s transforming ministry at Munger Place UMC, a historic church on the decline. But with the assistance of Highland Park UMC, well over 1,000 people attended Easter services at Munger Place this year. I’ve seen glimpses of God’s transforming presence in the work of First UMC Gainesville, where the brick on their 1892 building was crumbling, potentially leading to the loss of the facilities. But the congregation did not accept defeat; members raised $1.2 million to completely restore their building. These congregations are moving forward in reaching their changing mission fields today. These are just a few of many, both large and small, that are bursting out all over.
I close with a news story that caught my attention. Amidst all the terrible storms and tornadoes which took lives in Alabama, a story that warmed my heart was about a dog named Mason. He, too, was blown away by the storms, breaking both his front legs. The family returned to a destroyed home, thinking all was lost, but noticed a miracle sitting on their front porch. It was Mason, who, despite broken legs and being blown far away, had crawled on his knees all the way back home.
Sometimes when major change happens to us or around us, it’s easy to focus on the negative and the losses as if that is all there is in life. Yes, despite declining and aging memberships, we do have something to celebrate – God is still at work transforming our lives into the people called United Methodists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Transformation is here! Transformation is now! Transformation is on the move!
The Bishop’s column is excerpted from his 2011 Episcopal Address.
