with Rev Dr Chris Walker
World Methodist Conference
I have recently returned from Houston, Texas where I attended the World Methodist Conference and Council. It was a great event. There were 20 of us from the Uniting Church in Australia who were present at this once in five year conference. The last one was in Durban, South Africa in 2011 and then next one will be in Sweden in 2021.
The Conference theme was “One: one God, one faith, one people, one mission.” It brought together over 2,000 people from the more than 80 different churches with a Methodist component that comprises more than 82million people in 134countries. So it was a very international and diverse gathering. It was stimulating to be part of the world church. The music from a specially gathered band, the speakers, Bible study leaders and elective leaders all provided excellent leadership. Concurrent with the World Methodist Conference was a World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women’s conference with over 800 women. Ann Connan has been its President for the past five years. Richard La’Brooy attended the Young Leaders Seminar as well as the Conference. During the Conference Robert Gribben was thanked for his years of service as chair of the Ecumenical Relationships committee.
The opening evening worship had impressive music, visuals and a dialogue with Jennifer Wiseman, an astrophysicist, and David Wilkinson, who trained first as a scientist and then as a theologian. They spoke about the relationship between science and faith. Photos of the universe from the Hubble telescope were fantastic.
Next morning the worship had Rudy Rasmus as the preacher. He is co-pastor with this wife, Juanita, of St John’s United Methodist Church in Houston. Begun in 1992 with 9members, it has grown to a congregation of over 9,000 almost a third of whom where once homeless. He drew on the parable of the Good Samaritan and called us to cross the street to help those in need. The first Bible study was by Kenyan Grace Imathiu who spoke entertainingly and tellingly about the parable of the Prodigal Son better described as the Prodigal Father. People had the opportunity to attend an elective in the afternoon. In the evening I attended a celebration of 30 years of the Disciple Bible Study that has been a very helpful resource which continues to be available thorough MediaCom in Australia. At the same time were a World Methodist Evangelism celebration dinner and a World Methodist Ecumenical dinner with WCC General Secretary Olav Tveit speaking.
The second morning had as preacher Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie the first woman in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church to be elected bishop and the first woman to be elected president of their Council of Bishops. She gave us a powerful and passionate address asking us, “What does your love look like?” It was black preaching at its best. The second Bible study was by Bishop Joao Carlos Lopes from the Brazilian Methodist Church. At one point he shared that in speaking with those who want to become ordained, he tells them that there may well not be a church for them but if they start one they can become ordained. Not surprisingly the Methodist Church in Brazil is growing. In the afternoon we heard from Harold Good a respected peacemaker and former president of the Methodist Church in Ireland. He brought together Protestant and Catholic groups to build a foundation for conflict resolution playing a major role in breaking the political impasse. He shared inspiring stories from his involvement. He emphasised that we have restorative words to draw upon, namely confession, grace and forgiveness. That evening we had a cultural night with great music and dancing. There was the Cowboy Church Band from First United Methodist Church Pearland that connects with those who like country music. There were dancers from the Chara Christian Dance Studio and the ReVision Hip Hop Dancers who were amazingly acrobatic. We enjoyed a 90member Gospel Choir and dancers from Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston. Finally, and the highlight for me, was having the group Gungor who sang “You make beautiful things” and other songs in their unique style. At one point Michael’s wife Lisa shared about the birth of their second daughter who was born with Down syndrome. It was a moving personal statement leading into their next song.
On the third morning we had Joanne Cox-Darling from the British Methodist Church as the preacher. She made use of a video of ping pong balls and mousetraps to illustrate a chain reaction of activity and uncontrollable chaos. She said the Spirit of God is redemptive, creative and chaotic. Chaos can be exciting or overwhelming. She left us with the question, “What is God calling you to fulfil your potential for His work today?” Then Korean Yani Yoo led us in a Bible study looking at several ambiguities in the story of two prostitutes who came before the king in 1 Kings 3:16-28. She opened the passage to us highlighting the need for careful consideration of the situation and finished saying we need greater wisdom in our dealings with each other. In the afternoon we heard from Jo Anne Lyon, who earlier had been awarded the World Methodist Peace Award. She is the general superintendent of the Wesleyan Church and the founder of World Hope International, a relief and development organisation that seeks to alleviate suffering and injustice in 30countries. She shared some moving stories from her experience. This included one about a person who had his arm cut off who later offered his prosthetic hand in forgiveness to the former soldier who had committed the terrible act.
The closing worship was a colourful communion service. The message was delivered by three people: the President Dr J.C. Park from Korea, the Vice President Gillian Kingston from Ireland and the General Secretary Ivan Abrahams from South Africa. They picked up on the theme saying we need to see the world as one with God and nature. Our primary calling is to be a kingdom people. We are a people of hope. We were sent out singing to make disciples and seek the transformation of the world.
Chris Walker
(National Consultant Christian Unity, Doctrine & Worship)