Our Oklahoma Annual Conference begins on Sunday. Andrew Thompson of gen-X Rising had an interesting post the other day asking, “What does it mean to conference?” I think this is an increasingly important question, especially if we as a denomination want to take reaching young adults for Christ seriously. I agree with him on several points,

The United Methodist Church is not, and should not be, a congregational system. And neither should annual conference devolve into simply a business session that must be endured.

I know annual conferences vary widely in how they are perceived and how they are conducted. I have actually been very encouraged in recent years by changes that the Arkansas Conference has made to put worship and ministry resourcing front and center. On the other hand, changes could still be made to improve it. For instance, I understand why we have petitions. But they are often distracting and create more polarization that consensus. Would it be so bad if we simply decided not to debate and pass resolutions??

Conferencing is very important, and it shouldn’t be left by the wayside for a congregational polity, but I agree with Andrew that there may be several ways to improve it starting with his suggestion to leave out the resolutions (perhaps handle this in a separate gathering that leaves time for conversation instead of polemic).

I also think we need more intentional time for networking. We are able to do this over meals most of the time, but we need more time to get with pastors and see what is working and what isn’t. If one sits in every single session, there is not much room for this invaluable aspect of conferencing. This will be increasingly important for my generation of clergy, I believe.

Andrew gives us a few more insights in his article “Can We Learn to Conference Together?” where he writes,

The annual conference is the place where the church membership of every elder and deacon is held. It should be the place where our hearts are held as well. If we take a Wesleyan view of conferencing and of the covenant relationships that are nurtured through it, we can gain a model of how to survive and thrive in a world that is decidedly inhospitable for ministry in the church.

This is another excellent article. I thrive on the relationships I have from the connection, and I look forward to nurturing these through the time at Annual Conference. Hopefully we can fulfill this Wesleyan view and deepen our covenant relationships through the very structure of the AC itself.

Any thoughts on how we can do this?

With apologies to those seeking a debate or rant, I’d rather not enter either on this subject right now. However, I do think people with varying views on the abortion issue would like to know where each candidate stands (or in the case of Giuliani…stands at the moment). You’ll find that here at the New York Times.

I’m two days away from the end of my vacation. Tomorrow we will be attending Mass at Saint Catherine’s of Siena, my in-laws parish. I always enjoy attending mass, but feel left out by not being able to receive the elements.

Our Annual Conference starts a week from Sunday, so that is on the horizon. I love seeing all of the other pastors I admire and enjoy talking to. I don’t look forward to other parts, especially voting on resolutions. Sometimes I feel like we propose and vote on resolutions just to feel like we’ve accomplished some “social justice,” sort of like adding sweetener to our coffee (pardon my skepticism, it’s a holdover from my science days).

Today, I’m feelng down because vacation is almost over. I’ve loved spending time with my wife and kids while having almost zero responsibilities. I’m also feeling that weird feeling that I get every now and then.

On a positive note, bishops are planning on planting new churches! That is a very positive sign, I believe. I pray that our conference will do this and reach new unchurched folks.

On Tuesday in Corpus Christi, my family and I were able to tour the USS Lexington, a aircraft carrier now docked in the bay there. More than anything, I wanted to see the chapel. I wanted to see where Eucharist was prepared and received in the very heart of this enormous ship. So, here are a few pictures of what I found there.

Lately, I’ve been thinking of those ministers who are living out their call in the heat of battle. Chaplains must have an extremely difficult job, and I often wonder how they survive spiritually.

They have to be faced with the most difficult questions of the faith in a very immediate way. Questions of suffering become more urgent as you are surrounded by it. Questions of violence and non-violence have to be on the forefront of nearly every chaplain’s mind as they are surrounded with conflict and people desperately trying to live out their faith in an unimaginably difficult situation.

Say a prayer for our chaplains, and ask God to grant them wisdom and courage.

I don’t have much to say about Jerry Falwell.  I will point you to the most charitable and evenhanded discussion of his death that I’ve read.  You’ll find it in a post here by Ben Witherington.

Praise God from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
Earth’s kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, graybeards and little children.

Psalm 148:7-12 The Message Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Today we’re waking up in Corpus Christi, TX to a beautiful sunrise over the gulf of Mexico. We packed a lot into our day yesterday, and the wife and kids are still sleeping now at 7:34 am.

Our visit to Northwest Hills UMC in San Antonio was a interesting experience. I always love going to church on vacation for several reasons. First, it reminds me of what it’s like for our visitors. When I, as a UM pastor, feel that nervous what-should-I-expect feeling in my stomach, it reminds me of the kind of nerve a visitor has to work up to visit our churches. Every member of our congregations should attend church on vacation to have a deeper connection with first time visitors. Second, it allows me to worship in a different way than when I’m leading worship. John, over at Come to the Waters, had a good post about this a few days ago. Third, it helps me to see what other churches are doing.

People at Northwest Hills were very friendly. I counted at least three personal contacts from folks as we came into worship. The music was contemporary, and even though I’m not the biggest contemporary guy, I was zapped back to my youth minister days and really connected with God in a special way through this time of worship. The service started at 11:15 and after children’s choir, welcome, announcements, and worship, around 12 the pastor was just beginning the pastoral prayer.

Now, as Paul Harvey says…for the rest of the story. We had taken our 1 year old to the nursery after about ten minutes of fussing and wiggling in the pew. Fifteen minutes later our buzzer went off. He hadn’t stopped crying, so we went to get him, and my wife took him to the cry room in spite of my protest that I should do it since it was Mother’s Day. More crying and sobbing. Just as the pastoral prayer was starting at noon, I looked to the back and saw my wife giving me the “we’re leaving so come on” look.

Everyone was very kind and supportive. The church was extremely child friendly, but our little guy has had too many overpowering new experiences in the short time of our vacation, and he just couldn’t take one more separation from mommy and daddy. So, at the time we’re used to getting out of the service, we headed on down here to Corpus!

All in all, we had a very positive experience with the Church. I wish the little guy would’ve cooperated so we could have heard the sermon, but hey, sometimes that happens.

We’re off to the beach again today even though it’s covered, and I mean covered, with seaweed!