By the time you read this, the Convening General Conference of the Global Methodist Church may have adjourned. The conference runs from September 20-26 in San Jose, Costa Rica. 

For those who wish to follow along, there is a website, sotheworldwillknow.org, which has information but also provides access to livestreaming on YouTube.  

Early in the process, there will be seven legislative committees that have been assigned some of the 246 petitions under consideration.  Some of the petitions are simply “housekeeping” in nature (such as dropping the word “provisional” in reference to annual conferences), but others deal with much more consequential matters such as the 49 petitions dealing with the role of bishops, what their duties will be, how they will be utilized in the GMC (or even if they will be utilized) and potential elections.

Later in the conference, the committees will report to the plenary session which will have the final say on legislation.

As we learn more about what has happened at General Conference, and how it impacts us, we will share that information. 

If you are already praying for the conference, please continue to do so.  If not, please start now.  This is an exciting time, a new course is being chartered, and a chapter is being written.  Come Lord Jesus!

Pastor Willard

Matthew 28 1:10 (NIV)

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
     and they will lift you up in their hands,
     so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

~ Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV)