The Commitments We Make

This week, MSC clergy gathered in Estes Park for study, worship, renewal and rest. It was a rich time filled with brave conversations, laughter, tears, prayers, and singing. It was a vital time of reconnecting as a body and remembering our calls.

Of course, on the forefront of everyone’s mind is the future of The United Methodist Church. Will there be a United Methodist denomination after May 2020’s General Conference?  Who will we be? How do we walk through these uncertain, anxious days still focused on the ministry to which God has called us?

It is critical that we remember our mission. As United Methodists, it is to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” As we became the Mountain Sky Conference, we understood this contextually in our region to mean “The Mountain Sky Conference of the UMC will live in God’s grace and abundance as we lead a re-energized peaceful and compassionate movement to claim the life-changing love of Jesus Christ for ALL people.”

We aren’t there yet. We have made some important changes to our life together (like putting more resources out of the Denver Office and into our districts) but we still have a long way to go. As Wesley reminds us, “We are moving on to perfection”! We live together in grace as we seek to live into God’s future.

I know it is not easy living into these uncertain days. The cabinet and I have been in prayer together about our conference and what is needed for this moment. We also spent time with a consultant, Ben Kiker, who helped us focus our work together. It is in our desire to serve you better that we make these commitments.

As bishop and cabinet, we will serve you by committing ourselves to the following:

• Grounded Spiritually: We will be Spirit-led not ego driven, grace-filled, courageous, Always moving towards beloved community

• Authentic: Truthful, Integrity, Humility, Unity

• Inclusive: Expansive as we draw the circle wide, Generous gratefulness for our difference, Seek the whole

• Compassionate: Gentle as a dove, Undefended, Tenaciously tender

• Strategic intent: Visionary, Attentive to vision, Courageous, Wise as a serpent

That is our commitment to YOU. If you experience us as not living out these commitments, hold us accountable! Let us know! And together, let’s be expansive in the grace we offer each other as we seek to renew these commitments.

What commitments do you make to our MSC family during these anxious days? What can we count on from you as a part of this family? How will you live out your ministry, seeking to follow Jesus through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in all you do in your church and beyond? How will you show love and offer grace as we walk in the light of God?

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (I Peter 4:8-10 NIV)