The Rev. Adam Hamilton discusses proposals for possible church restructuring during the April 25 evening session of the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla. Hamilton, senior pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kans., is a delegate from the Kansas East Annual (regional) Conference. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.
I read the report when it first came out. I watched the video. I’ve read numerous articles and blogs. I still don’t really understand what this “call to action” is. Perhaps my problem is that I’m forgetful. Or perhaps I just haven’t found how this report connects with my life in ministry. I know some very influential people are advocating for the proposals of this report. Some of these influential people I have a great deal of respect for. Yet, I just don’t seem to be able to muster up any excitement about it.
I find this unusual because I feel like I should care. I am passionate about the ministry of the United Methodist Church. I love our United Methodist conferencing, charge conferences, annual conferences, jurisdictional conferences and general conferences. Please Bishop, can I have some more? I deeply believe our doctrinal standards, our theological task and our connectional structure offer something unique and needed in the world today as we work to fulfill our mission “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” I love the United Methodist Church. Why don’t I care about this “call to action”?
While preparing for last night’s monthly potluck here at Mill Plain UMC in Vancouver, Washington, I watched some of the livestream of Adam Hamilton and others presenting the Call to Action Report. It is exciting to know that the denomination is working to invite more Young Adults into ministry. It is good to know that the denomination has started hundreds of new ministries in the past four years. I wonder though if the people leading this charge have the same vision of ministry and “church” as the Young Adults do? What ministry settings do our Young Adults believe God is leading them toward? How can we support those efforts? Now THAT Call to Action report would be very interesting to see indeed.
Bruce, I have the same questions as you. I was watching that livestream while also reading the twitter stream (mostly young adults) responding, and it seemed that there was a real disconnect. I am concerned that one of the CTA’s ostensible goals is to reach young people, and yet I am not sure that the voices of young people raising concerns about it are being heard. I’m very curious to see how it unfolds…