An Occasional Word from the Bishop: Aug. 5, 2011

08-05-2011

An Occasional Word from the Bishop: Aug. 5, 2011

Dear Friends:

I rarely get excited about meetings, but I have been pumped up by the meeting that was held on July 9 with three task forces (ethnic ministries, children and youth ministries, and young adult ministries) and the transition team. With the Annual Conference’s adoption of the Imagine Ministry proposals, the planning for the future is well underway. But it will take some time.

The task forces have been asked not to get lost in detailed planning of programs, but to think strategically about their ministry areas. They will be seeking information on what we are currently doing in each of the areas assigned, and examining the current level of outcomes we have achieved.

Then, step by step, conversation by conversation, a new vision of where we need to be headed will begin to emerge. We are all still on a journey in the wilderness, but the excitement is building.

I was excited that so many of the task force members were able to gather on short notice for the initial training and group meetings. I was excited by the enthusiasm that was evident in the animated conversation. And I was really excited by the fact that when the meeting was over, folks stood around talking and discussing and planning for 45 minutes more.

It is hard for me to grasp that the summer is half over. I hope that your summer has brought you some time for relaxation and re-creation, because the work and the journey continue. We have much yet to do.

Faithfully,

Charles Crutchfield