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Below is a letter from the United Methodist Council of Bishops issued at the
beginning of General Conference.
Dear United Methodist Sisters and Brothers:
Greetings in the name of the risen Christ. We write this letter in the
season of Easter, a season of hope and new life. Christ's ministry,
suffering, death and resurrection is our inspiration as we gather on the eve of
the 2004 General Conference.
Every General Conference is a pivotal moment for the church. During this
General Conference, we ask for prayer, not only from the delegates meeting in
Pittsburgh
, but also from all who call themselves United Methodist.
We come to
Pittsburgh
from many cultures around the globe. An abundance of issues and concerns await
our care and the care of the General Conference. We are committed to
Christ and to the mission of The United Methodist Church. God calls us to
do justice, love mercy and walk with humility.
We are aware of a sense of anxiety in the atmosphere. Some persons are
anxious because of visa difficulties encountered by many delegates from
Africa
,
Latin America
, and the
Philippines
. Others are concerned about racism, poverty, war and terrorism.
Still others are focused on the tension between our passion for mission and our
financial and stewardship challenges. The recent church trial in the
Pacific Northwest Annual Conference has also contributed to the stress.
Fear and anxiety are not the only forces at work in the world. Days after
the death of Jesus, the disciples were so fearful they stayed behind locked
doors. Suddenly, Jesus appeared and said, "peace be with you. . .
receive the Holy Spirit." When they saw the Lord, the disciples
rejoiced. John 20: 19-20.
When Jesus Christ is present, we have nothing to fear. We are convinced
more than ever that Jesus Christ is with us here, leading us to serve in all
that we do.
As a Council of Bishops, we consider ourselves to be family. That means we
love each other, we listen to each other, and sometimes, we vigorously disagree
with each other. However, we do not question the integrity of our
colleagues and their commitment to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to
them. We have learned that honest struggle is part of love. Our love
for Christ, the church, and one another transcends our differences.
On some issues, including human sexuality, we are not of one opinion. At
the same time, we are united in our commitment to Jesus Christ. We are
united in our commitment to practice and advocate unity. We are united in
our commitment to uphold the Book of Discipline. We are united in our
conviction that the critical issues will not be ultimately resolved with
legislation. We will find the answer in Christ-like love, expressed in
dialogue, mutual respect and a humble search for the mind of God. Schism
is not a part of God's plan for the church.
In recent days, we have spent many hours in dialogue, listening to God and to
one another. We have emerged from these conversations strengthened and
committed to the Wesleyan spirit of Holy Conferencing. We pray that the
General Conference will do its work in the same spirit of mutual respect and
unity.
The Book of Discipline is our most current statement on how United
Methodists agree to live their lives together. (Episcopal Greetings, page
v, Book of Discipline) Each General Conference is charged with considering
the past and focusing on the future. In the spirit of Holy Conferencing,
we pray that the General Conference will speak prophetically and act wisely.
Our prayer is "that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and
full insight to help you determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ
you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that
comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God"
Philippians 1: 9-11.
The Council of Bishops
Reudiger Minor, President
April 26, 2004
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