The Charge of the Methodist Church

REFLECTIONS
February 1, 2009

In his first letter to the people of Thessalonica, Paul writes: “We thank God for and always mention you in our prayers. Each time
we pray, we tell God about your faith and loving work and about
your firm hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” CEV

Today is Charge Conference Sunday. An important day in the life of any United Methodist Congregation. When we meet each year at charge conference, part of our task is to accomplish the same thing Paul desired for the early Church. Be it Phillippi, Rome or Galatia, Paul hoped the early churches would not let up or let go of their mission focus. Those early believers worked at understanding, communicating, worshiping and working their faith. Our task today remains much the same. It is important that we share plans and details with regard to our property, programs and personnel. The finances are part of United Methodist polity and tradition. That we encourage as many people to attend as possible is important as well. That the information is presented in an entertaining and inviting manner is helpful.

However, through it all our focus must be clear. We do not meet just to gather for a party, and we do not report to simply give information. We meet because as the Body of Christ, we are a gathered community. We report because as a body of believers, we are accountable to each other. We celebrate, share, encourage and empower to one end; that the love of God might flourish. That the facts and figures we share in our charge conference report only have merit and import if they are written in the ink of grace upon a parchment of hope and bound with a winsome will to share the goodness of God. Otherwise, we are simply covering our backsides or whistling in the dark.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601