CHARGE CONFERENCE

This morning we completed our charge conference for the two small Methodist churches that I pastor here in south-central Georgia. At times, I have serious doubts about the future of the Methodist Church.

I look at what is going on with our denomination on a national level, and I am worried because of what I see. I see how our denomination has steadily lost members over the past forty years despite an increasing population in the nation. I watch as our leaders promote abortion and homosexuality and liberal theology. I stand by as I see concern over social issues take greater importance than leading people to Christ.

But then, there are days like today. Days when I see two small churches come together as one with a common goal and a common mission -- to share in Jesus' mission to seek and to save what was lost. Days when we join together to celebrate the ministries and the ways God has worked in our lives and in our churches over the past year. And days in which we look forward to what God is going to do in our midst in the year to come.

Our District Superintendent, Rev. Don Adams, preached a stirring message hearkening back first to the roots of Methodism. He told about the early circuit riders in this country, who desired nothing except to fulfill Wesley's command, "You have nothing to do but save souls." He spoke of their faith and their determination and their fruit. And then he encouraged us to go forward on their faith and to let God work in us and through us to reach this world for Christ.

As he preached I was reminded of Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." We had homecoming at one of our churches last week, and I had the same thought. The witness of those before us -- the stories of how God worked in them and through them to effect this community in days gone past, should inspire us to trust that God will work through us as well.

Rev. Adams finished his message with the same command as Wesley, "you have nothing to do but save souls," reminding us that this is why we exist. This is why we gather together on Sunday morning. This is why we proclaim the name "Christian." This is why Christ called us.

Today was a good day. A day of hope and a day of challenge. May we all approach this day with the same focus and may we all work with Jesus to seek and save the lost above all else.