The 2004 General Conference is in our history book. By now you have read many reports of what we did, or did not do, in the name of the United Methodist Church, in Pittsburgh.

We have had the great debates, even demonstrations (thankfully without anyone being arrested) and now we are returning to our places of ministry to live lives befitting the gospel.

How good are we at covenant keeping? Read the Old and New Testaments. We are a sorry lot when it comes to covenant keeping. Oh, we are good at making them, but fall far short in keeping them - - even with God!

News Item: “Worldwide, the Methodist movement is currently growing at the rate of more than 1,000,000 (1 million) new believers annually.”

Wonder what the make-up of the General Conference would look like if we allocated delegates based on professions of faith within each conference?

It just seems to me that, if that were the way, we would spend a whole lot more time debating and struggling on how to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

We would spend a lot less time debating and agonizing over issues of human sexuality and others issues that so sharply divide us as a people of God. These issues pale sharply in comparison to our mandate to Go, Preach, Save, Baptize!

The news item above reflects growth within our Central Conferences. Africa, Cuba, Asia, Central and South America, etc., is where they are adding saints day-by-day. Did you hear the debate and watch the votes of the delegates from those conferences in Pittsburgh?

Our membership in the United States is still on a slide begun almost 40 years ago - - when we decided that a General Board of Evangelism was no longer needed in our denomination. We are in danger of becoming a minority within the world Methodist family.

Are you enjoying the slide?

Mike McCurry, former press secretary to President Bill Clinton, a lay delegate to the 2004 General Conference, was interviewed and he said our General Conference looked and acted far too much like the national legislature - - grid-locked in acrimonious, partisan debate, that produces nothing!.

Bishop Bill Cannon, at the Bi-Centennial General Conference in Baltimore, said that we “had lost our passion for lost souls”. We have followed the example of the world around us and fell into the trap of being sure that everything is “politically correct”.

The Buick Motor Car division of General Motors has resurrected designer Harley Earl to design a new line of Buick automobiles for the 21st Century. Oh, how I would like to resurrect Dr. Harry Denman to train us how to be Holy inviters again. Brother Harry, would you pray for us - - again!

“We've a story to tell to the nations…..”

If we think that we are leading people to a saving relationship with the Living Christ by boycotting pickles, marching for or against whatever or attending political functions and passing Resolutions, ad nauseam, we are of all most people, most to be pitied!

The apostle Paul did not even attempt to change political culture in which he lived. He boldly proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ. He empowered the powerless in a time when they were just chattels to society. He did not have time or energy to beat his head against the wall of “political in-correctness” and “Society Re-engineering”

And just what is our mission - -

The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ!!!

The dusk from Pittsburgh is about to settle.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Ready Go - - -



A Jim Lane Commentary
May 18, 2004