Connectional Table Embraces Collaboration, Partnership and Missional Focus
Chicago,
IL – Ministry in the Four Areas of Focus is pivotal to bringing about
vital congregations, the Connectional Table has reaffirmed.
Meeting
in Chicago, IL from April 29 through May 1, the 59-member body of the
Connectional Table discussed strategies to strengthen and integrate the
collaborative work across the church on increasing the number of vital
congregations, engaging in the Four Areas of Focus and adapting the
church to the global realities of United Methodism worldwide.
“We
took another step forward as a Connectional Table, bringing our diverse
perspectives and experiences together to focus on how we tell the
amazing story of God’s activity in the world through The United
Methodist Church,” said CT Chair Bishop Bruce Ough. “I am encouraged and
excited by the movement toward collaboration, new partnerships and a
shared understanding of the missional outcomes we want to embrace as a
denomination.”
“We came to the realization that ministry in the
Four Areas of Focus is the fruit of vital congregations,” explained Rev.
Amy Valdez Barker, executive secretary of the CT. “Local churches with a
missional focus toward engaging in ministry with the poor, healing the
world of killer diseases like malaria, starting new churches and raising
up Christ-centered leaders are vital congregations sharing God’s love
with our neighbors. As we increase our discipleship and mission in the
four areas across the world, we need to find new ways to shape our work
together as a connectional church.”
On
Tuesday, April 30, Dr. Russell Richey, dean emeritus at Candler School
of Theology and member of the Council of Bishops’ Committee on Faith and
Order, presented a resource paper on the nature, mission and
faithfulness of The United Methodist Church providing a theological
foundation for the CT’s conversations. Dr. Richey served as a dialogue
partner throughout the CT’s discussions on vital congregations, four
areas of focus and the worldwide nature of the church offering both
historical and ecclesiological perspectives.
In other business,
the CT voted to support a working proposal presented by Fitzgerald
Reist, secretary of the General Conference, to revise the United
Methodist Social Principles in order to reflect a more global
perspective. The CT also met in their four primary administrative groups
to further the work mandated by the General Conference. The four
administrative groups are: 1) Finance and Budget Review; 2) General
Conference; 3) Evaluation and Accountability and 4) Leadership
Discernment.
The Connectional Table is responsible for
coordinating the mission and ministry of the UMC and aligning resources
to adapt to the needs of a changing church and world. The meeting was
held at the Lutheran Center building in Chicago where the new CT
administrative offices are located. The body received a warm welcome
from the ELCA’s presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and the president of the
National Council of Churches Kathryn Lohre. Worship was coordinated by
Cynthia Wilson, dean of students at Garrett Evangelical Theological
Seminary in Evanston, IL. |
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