Aug. 9, 2010

Dear sisters and brothers,
The middle days of August have brought significant heat and humidity to our area, and we are all suffering from what has traditionally been called the “dog days of summer.” As you may know, we get that name from the Romans who identified the bright star known as Sirius (the dog star) that rises and sets with the sun. Whatever the history, the legend, or the folklore – it’s hot!
In the midst of this heat, our children and young people are headed back to school for another year. I am greatly inspired by the reports I receive about many of our churches providing assistance to the children in the form of school supplies for those who might not be able to afford them and in the form of volunteer tutors either in the school or at the church. I hope you will all join me in prayer for our teachers and the administrators and staff who commit themselves to this significant task of education. And that you, too, will find ways to offer tangible support for them.
In the midst of this heat, most of our churches are gearing up for another busy and hectic schedule during the closing third of this year. Resuming Bible studies, church activities, and additional service opportunities, your calendars are no doubt filling up rapidly. As always, I sincerely hope that our activity level is about becoming more faithful and fruitful disciples of Jesus, and not just busy-ness that fills space and time at the building, but does little for the soul and spirit.
In the midst of this heat, we are preparing for that Special Session of Annual Conference, scheduled for Saturday, August 21. Over the last two months we have been engaged in a series of follow up meetings and discussions related to the budget that was left unfinished at our June session. More information about the proposal from our Conference Finance and Administration can be found on the conference web site, no later than Monday afternoon (August 9). The new proposal tries to incorporate the votes and speeches made from the conference floor and to take into consideration recommendations from other groups. This entire process has made all of us keenly aware of the need to make a serious and prayerful assessment of where we are and how we go forward to achieve our goal and accomplish our vision, while at the same time trying to hold on to the way things have always been. 2011 may, indeed, be a transition year for us.
Over the last several weeks I have received several comments and questions about what is happening. The most consistent theme I hear is that the only thing I am concerned about is money and numbers. Before the heat gets the better of me, a brief response is in order; and I will have more to say about this in my opening statement to the special session in a few weeks. I am concerned about one thing: developing faithful disciples of Jesus Christ who serve Christ with time, energy, resources, skills, and heart. Yes, we have set some numerical goals and measurements to determine the vitality of a church, but only because I see not numbers but people. Each “number” is a person for whom Christ died, and my passion – our passion – should be totally focused on sharing and living the good news of God’s love, mercy and grace extended to humanity.
Money? Well, yes, I am concerned about it, because Jesus talked as much about money and possessions as he did anything else. Yes, I am concerned because as part of a connectional system, we share a common mission to serve Christ not only in our local communities, but together in ways that reach around the globe. Yes, I fully understand the economic realities we are dealing with in these days and we are taking that into account in everything we do. But I still believe that one of the signs of being a disciple of Jesus is to be faithful stewards of what God has abundantly given to each one of us.
The dog days of summer give us plenty to do and to get heated up about. My hope is that we will get fired up for the mission and ministry of Christ through our churches and through our conference connections.

Blessings
Larry M. Goodpaster
bishop@wnccumc.org

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This post is from the WNCC’s website and can be found in its original form at:  Bishop G’s Epistle for August 9, 2010