Annual Conference

I am a United Methodist clergy person.  Methodism was a movement established by John Wesley, his brother Charles and a few of their buddies while at university.  Wesley didn’t call it Methodism, actually that name was meant to be an insult.  Because Wesley had a “method” or system for everything, those that didn’t participate in his group called them Methodist.  They were also called enthusiasts, so I guess there is luck in not being a United Enthusiast.  One of Wesley’s methods, was that the leadership should gather and “conference.”  Not sure how that played out 100 years ago, but today it means Methodists in each area or conference gather and worship, eat, vote, worship, eat and vote.  And because we are Methodists, there are methods and guidelines and rules that must be followed.  Sometimes the consequences for not following the methods are harsh, sometimes they are simply distressing.  Traditions go along way with Methodists.  

United Methodist clergy, for the most part, are appointed by their bishop to serve in a certain place for a year.  Now a church elder may be appointed to the same place for a number of years, but it is only for a year at a time.  Prior to days of technology and advanced communication, church leadership had to pack up all their belongings in their buggy and wagon and come to annual conference.  Then and only then, would a clergy(man) learn if they were going someplace new or returning to the same old place.  Today, things are slightly less barbaric.  Clergy know weeks in advance that they will be moving, certainly with enough time to look for a place to live (if need be), and probably for a spouse to find a new job.

It is a grand time.  It is about the only time we all get to see on another.  We celebrate the lives of those that have died since we were last together.  We celebrate those that are retiring from service, who for the most part, continue to serve in a different relationship.  We celebrate those that are entering ordained service.  There can’t be anything much more grand than the voices of an Annual Conference raised in song. 

And we vote.  Sometimes on things are that are banal, mundane and ridiculous.  Sometimes we vote repetitively on the same thing or similar thing year after year after year.  And while I admire the tenacity of the person bringing the petition, let’s move on, it ain’t gonna pass.  Sometimes we vote on painful hard things that sting our hearts and souls and we must wonder what God imagines about us. 

But ultimately, I hope, I pray, that we recall that we are the people of God.  And that what we are gathering about is how we will live out our roles as the people of God.