A recent article from the United Methodist News Service proposes to increase the collaboration among the denominations boards, agencies and commissions. I think that this is an excellent goal and will be important in the future effectiveness of the United Methodist Church. The article entitled, Proposals call for new collaboration among church agencies, also proposes four goals for the denomination in 2009 to 2012. These goals are:
- Enable clergy and laity to develop the skills necessary for ministry in the 21st century through leadership, education and development, with a focus on the United States.
- Extend the outreach of the church’s ministry and grow the church by energetically starting new congregations.
- Partner with the poor to seek justice and address the causes of human suffering that result from poverty.
- Bring healing, health and wholeness through a concerted effort to end preventable diseases of poverty such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
These are bold goals and I believe that they will be the most important considerations at General Conference 2008. What do you think?
- Are these goals appropriate and attainable?
- How might these goals intersect your local congregation?
Rev. Andrew Conard 
One reply on “Provocative Propositions and General Conference 2008”
Interesting!