June Jottings

United Methodism has some words we use regularly in the context of our churches and ministries and theology that you don’t encounter often in our homes or at work. “Prevenient Grace” is one example. Connectionalism is another one. I am bumping into this idea of our being in a connectional system more and more.

We as United Methodists are connected in ministry. Some of this gets expressed through not just things that happen at Cole Memorial UMC but great things that are happening on the level of our district and conference. People and resources are committed to growing the church beyond the people that already attend. In many ways this means adjusting ministry to people who don’t naturally focus on attending church or those who come from ethnicities and languages and cultures that are different than our or by reaching out to those who may believe in spirituality but not in traditional Christianity.

We as United Methodists are connected in finances. Many of you know the technical term we use - apportionments. Some of us know the term and don’t like it, thinking we would be better off if we kept control of all the money we put in the offering plate. Although there are some things funded with apportionments that I do not personally support there are services and ministries that I believe serve others, benefit the larger church and benefit us as a congregation. We should be good stewards of how our money that goes to the denomination is used but we should also be people whose giving is based on extravagant generosity and a trust that God will bless our giving.

Finally we as United Methodists are connectional in our leadership. Pastors and District Superintendents are appointed to serve wherever they are sent. A couple decades ago a local church pastor might average only 4 or so years before being moved. Now many appointments are longer. Our bishop, Larry Goodpaster, is committed to what are called missional appointments. The idea being that an appointment will take into account a number of factors but the main one being, is it a good fit between the pastor and the church to carry out the mission of the church. This is powerfully stated in the Book of Discipline: ¶ 120. The Mission-The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs.

I believe in this mission. I believe in the connectional system. I believe my current appointment to Cole is a blessing to me and a chance for all of us to live out the mission of the United Methodist Church to Derita and beyond.

- Pastor Brian