Day 5 of the UMC General Conference began with a powerful worship service led by Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, whose message resonated deeply with those gathered. His words served as a poignant reminder that there is no room for competition in the kingdom of God. Instead, we should focus on reaching out to those who still need to hear the good news. Bishop Nhiwatiwa highlighted the unique ministry of the United Methodist Church, a denomination that excels in this mission.
The morning session included University Senate nominations, which took considerable time. As someone who primarily knew of the University Senate’s responsibility for approving seminaries through my work on the Board of Ordained Ministry, the lengthiness of this process was a mystery to me. It is clear that there are many particularities about the work of the General Conference, and I have much to learn about the intricacies of our denominational governance.
Throughout the day, I found myself deeply grateful for the work of the translators at the General Conference. As an observer in the legislative committee, I could hear the murmur of different languages, especially when speakers were delivering their remarks relatively quickly. It felt like a taste of Pentecost, with everyone hearing the message in their language. This beautiful experience was a powerful reminder of the diversity and unity within our global church.
Rev. Andrew Conard 