Trust in the Lord with all
your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight. (Proverbs 3:5)
and do not rely on your own insight. (Proverbs 3:5)
One year ago today, I was elected a bishop
in The United Methodist Church in the midst of what was the closest experience
of Pentecost I have ever had. Delegates and episcopal nominees of the Western
Jurisdiction entered into a time of deep discernment and prayer. Truly, there was a profound sense of the
presence of the Holy Spirit.
There are some who have said we in the West
were drunk with new wine. But as Scripture and history show, that is often the case when those who weren’t
present try to dismiss the movement of the Holy Spirit, which seeks to make all
things new.
We were simply trusting in God with all our
hearts.
I continue to lean into that trust.
I lean into that trust as I bring my gifts,
skills and experience to this new ministry.
I lean into that trust as I surrender my life to God, who will guide my steps.
I lean into that trust as I surrender my life to God, who will guide my steps.
I lean into that trust as I sit at the
Council of Bishops table, bringing a voice that has never been present to our common life and work.
I lean into that trust as I listen to those
who are angry about my election and commit myself to remain in relationship with
them.
I lean into that trust as a vision emerges
for our denomination’s future.
I lean into that trust as we sit at Cabinet
meetings and seek God’s guidance as we make appointments.
I lean into that trust as we in the
Mountain Sky Area commit to the vision of Beloved Community, God’s desire for
humanity.
I am so thankful for new and old companions--both within the Mountain Sky Area and throughout my life--who have enriched my life, sustained my soul and informed my ministry during this past year. I am
especially thankful for my colleagues on the Western Jurisdiction College of
Bishops who have generously welcomed me and offered me their wisdom and
insights, as well as the members of the Mountain Sky Area cabinet, as we have
sought to care for and equip the clergy and laity of our area so our churches’
ministries might be vital and transformative.
It is humbling to have been entrusted with
this ministry.
May Your will be done, O God, in all I say and do.
Oh, Bishop! Thank you for being here; for leaning in; for asking for the Grace to trust even more.... that means, venturing out in ever- deeper water! It is where the bigger waves are, the bigger storms are, the bigger fish are, and where the largest sunken treasures are!
ReplyDeleteKnowledge is proud of all that it has learned. Wisdom is humbled by all it does and doesn't know.
May God continue to bless your ministry. I am grateful for all you do. God bless
ReplyDeleteAs we approach the feast of Mary Magdalene I am thankful for another woman jumping into the deep end to testify to something new and glorious, despite a reception of doubt and suspicion, that changed absolutely everything! Blessings on this anniversary from your colleague on the Colorado Council of Churches and Vicar to the Ecumenical Catholic Communion's Rocky Mountain Region.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from the Texas Annual Conference. Prayers for your ministry!
ReplyDeleteYou bring so much wisdom, so much compassion and so much of yourself to this position. May you continue to trust in God and lean in so that he will continue to guide you as you forge forward in ministry. The Mountain Sky Area is very fortunate to have you as our Bishop. Many blessings to you in these challenging times. ~ A Member of Arvada UMC
ReplyDeleteI wonder what your thoughts are on your election to an office you're not eligible to hold under church law. It goes without saying that when anything happens in violation of church law, it's thereby not sanctioned by the church. In this case, your appointment was in stark violation of church law, which seems to indicate it is not sanctioned by the church. This would make you an illegitimate Bishop. Scripture clearly tells us that violating mans laws is a sin. Not repenting and ceasing to act on a particular sin, is in itself sinful.
ReplyDeletePlease know that my comment here has nothing to do with sexuality, but everything to do with church law, obedience, repentance and willful sin.