Is It a Blessing or Curse?

10/26/2015 – Charge Conference:  Blessing or Curse?

            This is the time of year when United Methodist pastors and their congregations alike are involved in the preparations for and the holding of Charge Conferences.   For those who are not of the United Methodist persuasion, let me explain what a Charge Conference is.  First, let me tell you that a Charge Conference has nothing to do with making sure that your car battery is charged.  Neither is a Charge Conference related to the scream of “Charge” that football fans and cheerleaders alike offer to encourage their favorite team.         Amidst the paperwork that I and our congregation had to fill out for Charge Conference, I found this pearl of wisdom that explains well what a Charge Conference is:   “The primary responsibility of the charge conference in the annual meeting shall be to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church.”

            I am not a novice to Charge Conferences or to the paperwork that it requires since I am in my 42^nd year as a pastor.    I am the first to say that there have been times when I have grunted and groaned about the paperwork that is to be completed and the meetings that are required for Charge Conference.  However, in recent years I have chosen to see the goodness of a Charge Conference because every now and then we need to review and evaluate what we are doing as followers of Christ Jesus and as the body of Christ.  I hope and pray that somewhere in the midst of the meetings, conferencing, and the documents prepared for Charge Conference  that is happening.

            In Mark 8: 27-30, we see a time when Jesus was evaluating his mission and ministry.   I don’t believe they called it a Charge Conference, but simply a conference between Jesus and his disciples as they around the region of Caesarea Philippi.     Mark 8:27-30 says:  ²⁷ Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?  ²⁸ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”   ²⁹ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”   Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”   ³⁰ Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

            

What are you doing to build up the Kingdom of God?  What are you doing this day and this week to love God and love your neighbor?    That is a question we need to ask and answer every now and then whether it be at a Charge Conference or simply in the silence of our hearts.  Have a joy-filled week.--  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God, thank you for your call and claim upon my life.  Thank you, Lord, for the gifts you have given me.    Give me the wisdom to take time to see how you are working in our lives and how we can more fully and completely yield ourselves to you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.