I would easily affirm that there was a great new spirit of cooperation, and a sensitivity to manipulation and maneuvering. It was a wonderful thing to see, time and again. Dozens of people present confirm your impression there. I'm glad you hit on repentance in this piece. While watching over the week, I found my mind coming to wonder at the nature of the repentance at the gathering. I have read lots of accounts of Methodists revivals in the first couple of centuries. There was a good deal of repentance in those settings, helping people to see themselves as fallen and wretched outside of Christ, helping them to mourn the indifference and ambiguity of the worldliness that seeps into churches. I wondered how similar you felt the repentance of this gathering was to early Methodist gatherings. Thoughts?
Jeffrey, I don’t know how this would compare to the repentance in the Methodist revivals, but I know there was a lot of repentance by a lot of people. There was a spirit of humility.
I am still in awe of what I have seen and heard and felt and experienced in that historic 'Methodist to the core' event. My heart literally felt that 'strange warmth' that I had when I first believed and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
“What a foolish thing to have such meager trust in God when I’ve seen his goodness throughout my life. God is faithful. There is peace beyond measure when we finally internalize that truth. God is faithful.”
David, that’s a truth that I’ve been struggling to internalize. Psalm 116:7 has been a comforting reminder of His Goodness -
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”
Thank you, David, for sharing your experience. My experience at my first Annual Conference in almost four decades was similar to yours at General Conference. I went apprehensive. I came home eternally grateful for God's grace!
As my wife will tell anyone who’ll listen, I spent way too much time agonizing over many of the things under discussion and consideration at the convening conference. Dr. David F. Watson’s petition on the mission statement was near the top of my list. I took offense at how that petition was changed in committee. After the initial amendment at yesterday’s session, I was convicted to repent of my anger, after hearing Dr. Watson’s gracious speech in support of the amendment. I got the sense of the Spirit assuring me that God was in control.
Uncounted multitudes are watching events unfold from behind their screens. They are watching the GMC being birthed, just as multitudes were watching Jesus at work. We are praying and trusting God's Spirit to bring to pass what God intends. The New Testament writers put a heavy accent on the destiny God has planned for those whom God calls. There are many UMCers watching these things. They wonder if there was any power left on after the lights were turned off in Costa Rica.
I would easily affirm that there was a great new spirit of cooperation, and a sensitivity to manipulation and maneuvering. It was a wonderful thing to see, time and again. Dozens of people present confirm your impression there. I'm glad you hit on repentance in this piece. While watching over the week, I found my mind coming to wonder at the nature of the repentance at the gathering. I have read lots of accounts of Methodists revivals in the first couple of centuries. There was a good deal of repentance in those settings, helping people to see themselves as fallen and wretched outside of Christ, helping them to mourn the indifference and ambiguity of the worldliness that seeps into churches. I wondered how similar you felt the repentance of this gathering was to early Methodist gatherings. Thoughts?
Jeffrey, I don’t know how this would compare to the repentance in the Methodist revivals, but I know there was a lot of repentance by a lot of people. There was a spirit of humility.
I'm delighted to learn that the convening conference had such a spirit. May it continue throughout the GMC for decades to come!
I am still in awe of what I have seen and heard and felt and experienced in that historic 'Methodist to the core' event. My heart literally felt that 'strange warmth' that I had when I first believed and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
“What a foolish thing to have such meager trust in God when I’ve seen his goodness throughout my life. God is faithful. There is peace beyond measure when we finally internalize that truth. God is faithful.”
David, that’s a truth that I’ve been struggling to internalize. Psalm 116:7 has been a comforting reminder of His Goodness -
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”
Yes, indeed! God is faithful!
Thank you, David, for sharing your experience. My experience at my first Annual Conference in almost four decades was similar to yours at General Conference. I went apprehensive. I came home eternally grateful for God's grace!
As my wife will tell anyone who’ll listen, I spent way too much time agonizing over many of the things under discussion and consideration at the convening conference. Dr. David F. Watson’s petition on the mission statement was near the top of my list. I took offense at how that petition was changed in committee. After the initial amendment at yesterday’s session, I was convicted to repent of my anger, after hearing Dr. Watson’s gracious speech in support of the amendment. I got the sense of the Spirit assuring me that God was in control.
Uncounted multitudes are watching events unfold from behind their screens. They are watching the GMC being birthed, just as multitudes were watching Jesus at work. We are praying and trusting God's Spirit to bring to pass what God intends. The New Testament writers put a heavy accent on the destiny God has planned for those whom God calls. There are many UMCers watching these things. They wonder if there was any power left on after the lights were turned off in Costa Rica.
Sounds to me that the GMC is off to good start, and a fair amount of trust restored. Thanks be to God!
beautiful
Is there a good place yet to read what we passed?
Probably not all in one place yet. Should be out soon.