7.14.24 WHO WE ARE: "By Connection” - Our Relational Framework
Mark 6:7-13, Titus 1:1-9
Dear Trinity Family & Friends:
Continuing our exploration of “Who We Are” as United Methodists, we will consider our relational framework during this Sunday’s worship services. What does it mean for Methodists to be “in connection,” and why does it matter for us today?
The first scripture we will consider is Mark 6:7-13 (CEB), in which Jesus launched the Twelve Disciples on a mission that imitated Jesus’ own mission on earth. And our primary scripture for the day will be Titus 1:1-9 (CEB), where Paul gives a definition of elders who are to work as pastors over each church, and supervisors who commission and send the elders forth – a model that has inspired the United Methodist Church to elect bishops who send forth elders, deacons and local pastors to the various ministry needs of our churches and communities.
To better grasp the connectional nature of the United Methodist Church, I wanted to share some graphics with you, which may help illustrate the United Methodist connection:
Our first image gives helpful, brief definitions of various United Methodist agencies, and shows how they work together. If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between a “jurisdictional” conference and a “general” conference, then this graphic is for you!
Our second image shows the boundaries of the various regions we call “annual conferences.” Each annual conference is led by one bishop (although in some cases a bishop may lead more than one annual conference) and much of the day-to-day ministry of our local churches is supported by our annual conference connections.
[Special thanks to the Desert Southwest Conference for sharing the above graphics.]
I frequently give thanks to God for the work of the United Methodist Church in making disciples for Jesus Christ to transform the world! As we consider the importance of the United Methodist connection this Sunday, let’s ponder these questions:
- How has our appointment system, in which our elected bishop sends appointed pastors to Trinity UMC, blessed the ministry of this local congregation?
- How has our connectional system enabled members of Trinity to participate in national and even global ministries of the United Methodist Church?
- Can the deep roots of our Methodist theological traditions and practices help us reach the modern world in our own local context?
I hope to worship with you in person at our 9 am traditional service, our 10:30 am contemporary service, or through our livestream services this Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Dale