World Methodist Conference and Discipleship

Did you know there are more than eighty million Methodists and Methodist-heritage Christians around the world? Methodist leaders from around the world gathered in Gothenburg, Sweden, August 13-18, for the World Methodist Conference. The conference, which occurs every five years, “brings together Methodists and Wesleyans from around the world to explore themes of faith, justice, and unity.” This year’s conference was a powerful experience of learning, worship, and fellowship, emphasizing the need for the church to respond to pressing global issues, such as migration, climate injustice, and peacebuilding.

I was honored to attend the conference as a delegate from the California-Nevada Annual Conference. Throughout the week, we participated in sessions and workshops that challenged and inspired us to think deeply about our roles as disciples in a rapidly changing world. Some of the significant moments are noted below.

Council Meetings and Plenaries

These sessions provided a platform for discussing critical issues affecting our global community. Topics such as migration, climate change, and reconciliation were at the forefront, highlighting the church's role in advocating for justice and supporting those affected by these crises. During this council meeting, The Rev. Dr. Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto was elected as the new general secretary, and Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett (United Methodist Church) was elected as the new president. I’m thankful for outgoing General Secretary Bishop Ivan, with whom I worked on the World Council of Churches’ central committee.

Worship and Fellowship

We experienced unique worship services that brought together diverse expressions of faith, including “Worship in the Archipelago,” where we were warmly welcomed by a local church community. These moments of worship reminded us of the richness and diversity within our global Methodist family. It was wonderful to see the Japanese delegation from the United Church of Christ (Kyodan) joining us, since I had met many of them several years ago.

Workshops and Educational Sessions

Numerous workshops were offered, focusing on topics such as Wesleyan education, pilgrimage, and the spirituality of Indigenous lands. Barry Sloan, a Discipleship Ministries’ board member, led a late-night workshop, and, as always, he rocked it!

Two young women from the Holy Land gave updates on Gaza and the West Bank in an especially meaningful workshop. Their presentation was informative, and it shed light on the harsh realities faced by people in the region. Their suggested calls to action were clear and encouraging, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know them and pray with them.

I am pleased to share that I will be serving on the Theology and Education Committee, where we will continue to explore and develop resources that empower pastors and church leaders in their ministries. This role will allow us to bring valuable insights back to our local contexts and further strengthen our collective efforts in discipleship and education.

What It Means to Be a Methodist

Do you know what it means to be a Methodist? Why are you Methodist? We will be exploring these topics as a Radicle Methodism winter project with General Secretary Ashly Boggan. I hope you will be able to join us. Let's continue this journey together as we seek to be faithful disciples in a world that desperately needs the love and justice of Christ.

Ideas for the Local Church

Here are some suggestions for your local church:

• Support Ecumenical Efforts within Your Conference: Engage with your annual conference and district's work on ecumenism by reaching out to your district or conference offices or the conference committee on Christian unity and interreligious concerns. Ask about the ecumenical relationships and initiatives they are currently developing and explore how your congregation can support and participate in these efforts to foster unity and collaboration across faith communities.
• Partner with Local and Global Organizations: Build partnerships with organizations that focus on issues such as climate action, refugee support services, or peace-building initiatives.
• Organize a “Pilgrimage” Experience: Plan a local or regional pilgrimage experience for your congregation, reflecting the themes of journeying and transformation. This pilgrimage could be a spiritual retreat, a walk through a meaningful area, or a visit to a local site of significance.
• Partner with Local Methodist Churches in Joint Projects: Collaborate with nearby Methodist churches, such as AME (African Methodist Episcopal), AME Zion, and CME (Christian Methodist Episcopal), in joint projects, such as community service, ecumenical worship services, or social justice initiatives. Such partnerships will strengthen unity and shared mission within the Methodist family.
• Encourage Cultural Exchange and Learning: Facilitate cultural exchange programs within your church. Invite speakers from diverse cultural backgrounds or organize events that celebrate diversity. This could help foster a better understanding of the global church and the diverse ways people express their faith.
• Implement a Global Prayer Chain or Vigil: Organize a prayer chain or vigil that unites your congregation in prayer with the global Methodist family. This could be held in solidarity with churches around the world that are facing persecution, natural disasters, or other challenges. This experience will reinforce the connection between your local church and the global community.

This content was created by Discipleship Ministries staff with assistance from AI tools.