Photo by John Goodman

The United Methodist Council of Bishops has set a course for the next quadrennium to begin an ongoing dialogue in four areas.

The four areas were outlined in the Episcopal Address, given by Bishop Kenneth Carder.

A portion of that address follows.
The entire address can be found at http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=17&mid=4261

"The first Methodist conference was held in June 1744. John Wesley defined the goal for the conference as determining "how we should proceed to save our own souls and those that heard us.' The focus was upon clarifying doctrinal understandings and commitments and how to form 'the people called Methodist’ in accordance with those doctrines.

"The considerations that dominated the agenda of that first conference become challenging questions for those of us gathered at this General Conference. We need to raise again the questions that shaped that first Methodist conference: What shall we teach? How shall we teach? What shall we DO to affirm and live our doctrine, discipline, and practice? If we approach these questions as people of faith with open hearts, open minds, and open doors we live out the spirit of Wesley who saw 'the world as our parish' and the whole creation as the realm of God’s reign.

"To answer these questions your bishops invite you to join us in a quadrennium of Methodist conferencing around the world. We anticipate exploring again the Wesleyan roots of our foundational teachings and practices while listening for the Spirit's guidance in living toward the New Creation. Your bishops will give priority in our episcopal areas to conferencing on key themes in Wesleyan theology and practice, using the best of our pastoral leaders and scholars, lay and clergy. We invite all members of the Methodist family around the world to join us in this time of conferencing. We invite our boards, agencies, and academies to resource the church in this effort. We propose Methodist Conferencing around the world for the 2005-2008 quadrennium focusing on the following themes:

"The New Creation and the Church’s Mission:" God's new creation of our hearts/lives, new social structures, and the whole cosmos. Special attention is to be given to our relation to the earth and to the most vulnerable as demonstration of our hope for God’s new creation.

"Sound Doctrine and Catholic Spirit:" The essential doctrines and distinctive emphases of Methodism and their meaning and relevance for the emerging scientific worldview and the formation of God’s vision of beloved community amid diversity.

"Personal and Social Holiness:" Wesleyan principles of personal and social ethics with emphasis on how our personal and social economics may and must reflect divine love and contribute to the new creation and authentic security.

"Watching Over One Another in Love:" Discipleship in the Methodist tradition, with an emphasis on being accountable to one another and to the "least of these" for lives that reflect the Beloved Community.”"

 

< back