Conference, Day Three

Annual Conference

Teaching Study

Welcome Rev. Cooler

The social embodiment of renewal; Trinitarian ecclesiology 

Wesley has a Trinitarian understanding of the faith

Wesley's Trinitarian vision of the church

Wesley's Trinitarian understanding of the church in his sermon, "Of the Church"

A deeper, profounder, more robust understanding of the church (Ephesians)

Who properly are the church of God and what is the meaning of the term (church)?

In Wesley's quote, notice how he defines the church in the same Trinitarian vision.

We become God's tabernacle of God here on earth. The church is not simply a means to another end. The church is an end in itself.

John 1 deals with the whole church, the happy and holy communion which the faithful has with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The life I live I live in the Son of God and then it is when happiness begins. God is love and whoever dwells in God dwells in love and love in Him.

The love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is as wide as an ocean.

Walk down the street of any city in our culture and look at their faces. Are they finding happiness and feeling fulfilled? The answer is because they do not dwell in the love of God.

The more Christians are filled with the triune life of God, the more tenderly they will be concerned with the life of the downcast and down trodden and seek to help them. 

Where are we most likely to encounter the triune God? In community! 

Do no harm. Do good. Live in grace.

(This study teacher is so over my head that my notes are incomplete and almost incomprehensible. I will not be able to retrieve the words that he is trying to teach let alone share them with others. He uses a LOT of Wesley quotes which are archaic and difficult to understand. I am giving up trying to take snippets of notes that make no sense and I am almost giving up on even listening to him! I'm not sure I understand how any of this is about renewal...)

 Need small group connections. In the NT there are two forms of gatherings, large group worship and small group. Jesus taught the crowds but he travelled with, communed with, ate with, prayed with the twelve. In Acts, the crowds gathered on the temple grounds but they broke bread together in small groups in homes. It is in small groups where we are loved, held accountable, uplifted.

We need a deeper, profounder, more radical understanding of renewal. We must have a Trinitarian understanding of God and we must have small group discipleship.

How much connexion do we really have in our churches? 

Morning Session

Welcome

Witness of two churches, Basic Church on Staunton District and Westover UMChurch in Charlottesville District w/Video

Westover had 8-10 persons when Rev. Norma Dean arrived 10 years ago. They began having Thursday prayer meetings with sometimes only two people but they prayer. They needed a wheel chair ramp which, through God, was poured that week for only $200. Begun a Wednesday service now that is outside when the weather is nice. Planning a 3,000 ft addition. Unbelievable things have been happening because of their love for Jesus and each other.

Basic UMChurch, Rev. Don Gibson describes Basic 10 years ago as a typical UMC and they began a Spanish Ministry. Bringing together of cultures. Bridge building events where both the Anglo and Latino congregations come together in joint community for meals, worship. (Sermonish language of all the things being done at Basic, which are many and amazing!)

Report of the minutes committee. Minutes of Saturday are in order. Two motions, one for minutes reviewed and one for minutes to be reviewed on July 7. Both motions approved.

Elect Mark Brown as Director of Connectional Ministries. Approved with standing ovation.

Conference offering $145,000 collected yesterday. All this offering goes outside of the conference. Collected $11,000 for No More Malaria yesterday which will save 1,100 lives. 4 Cans 4 Conference is 8,500 pounds. 41,218 kits collected.

Report of the statistician, pg 112 and report of the treasurer, pg 113-116. Housekeeping matter - Shiloh sold by Staunton District. Motion to give monies to the district board of missions. Approved.

UM Foundation, pg. 95

CF&A Report, pg. 117-126 Motion to approve sections one through six. Approved Section seven requires no vote.

Resolutions: Motion that after resolution presentations that discussions be limited to two for, two against, two minutes each. Approved

Resolution 2. Motion to suspend rule because maker is not a member of conference. Approved. According to Parliamentarian Procedure, Conference Boards must speak first must speak first. BoCS: We understand the intent of the resolution but believe that the Board of Pensions should have a voice in this resolution and at the appropriate time will refer the resolution back to BoCS. BoP: refer this resolution to BoCS and BoP for refinement. Both BoCS and BoP recommends non-concurrence of this resolution at this time and hope that Miss Layton will be willing to work with both Boards to refine the resolution. 2 oppose and speak against the resolution. 2 support and speak for the resolution. Motion by BoCS to refer the resolution to BoCS and BoP. Motion approved

Resolution 3. The resolution committee votes concurrence. 2 support and speak for the resolution. 2 oppose this resolution and speak against this resolution. Amendment. Not carried. Resolution 3 carries.

Personal Privilege: 2,361,590 meals packaged over the last year by the Virginia Conference.

Recess before worship service

(I went out here to sit at the York River District table where cushions were being sold. I live steamed the worship service...kind of odd because it was almost five minutes behind what I could here going on in the ballroom. It was amazing to watch and Nancy Yarborough, York River District UMWomen President, was very grateful that I relieved her so she could go in and participate in worship.)