September 23, 2005

   One of the great strengths of the United Methodist Church is the structure that has been put in place to ensure that we are a church of the people.  Churches throughout our nation and world are structured differently and have varied ways of deciding and getting things accomplished.  Our United Methodist Church uses a process that reflects the very design of our nation.  We are a church where every person has a voice in how the local church works in the body of Christ.  That is why we have elected leaders in the church that serve on various committee’s, it is why we have a consensus process of determining direction rather than a voting process at SA, and it is why everyone in the church is important to the health and direction of the church.

   The participation of every member in the life of the church has been reflected in the awesome response of SA to the devastation left by Katrina.  Our church has donated thousands of dollars in contributions, truckloads of food, school supplies and furniture.  The contribution of goods, however, pales in the scope of labor and prayers that have been given the past two weeks.  When each person does their part in the kingdom of God , so much can be accomplished.

   This past week I was in Nashville at the request of our Bishop, fulfilling a small part of life in our annual conference.  A couple of months ago, Bishop Ben Chamness asked me to represent our annual conference at a training event designed for clergy from across the country that is focused on a specific portion of church life.  When a clergy member of an annual conference is accused of committing a moral, ethical, or ministerial offense, as outlined in our United Methodist Book of Discipline, there is a process for resolving the issue.  If all other avenues of resolution have been explored, the last option is a church trial.

   When a church trial takes place clergy members from the conference serve as Counsel for the Church and Counsel for the Defense.  Our Bishop has chosen me to be one of four clergy to represent our annual conference as the Counsel for the Church.  The need for a church trial is rare and there have only been a couple of times in my ministry that the process outlined in the Book of Discipline has moved close to that moment.  The odds are that I will never have to serve in this capacity, but I am grateful to give my time and prayers in this area if the need does arise.

   Serving in the church at any level means many things.  Serving involves a lot of prayer, the giving of time, energy, and gifts, and above all else, that in all we do we should glorify God.  Serving God may not always be glamorous or exciting, in fact, it can be hard and dirty.  What is important is whether or not we are being faithful in our response to God and using the gifts and talents God has given to each of us for work in the kingdom.  May we always look for the ways that we can serve God, witness to our faith, and to strengthen the body of Christ.

Grace and Peace,

Richard

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