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Conference 2004

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Plenary #3:

'Enough' for us all

The gospel hymn "We Fall Down, We Get Up" was the cornerstone of Lay Leader Jim Shaw's address to the Conference. "It's not just the criminals, the wayward . we ALL do -- both believers and non-believers -- we all fall down. It's only through the grace of God we get up," Shaw emphasized. "But it is only through God's grace we get up." He invoked the teaching of the apostle Paul who said in his letter to the Romans that becoming a Christian does not stamp out all sin and temptation. Rather becoming like Christ is a lifelong process of Christian growth. He concluded with a poem he'd heard years earlier:

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough "hellos" to get you through the final "goodbye."

Then these words, "I share this with you to remind you that God's grace is enough for us to have all these things and much more."

Activities sponsored by the Board of Laity this past year have included the Bishop's Forum and retreats, a manuscript contest and other ministries. "The Board of Laity's job is to equip us to receive God's grace in our lives," he said

In other action:

• Kent Millard addressed the work of the Vision Task Force and directed members of the Conference to review both the current and the proposed revision of the South Indiana Conference mission statement. He explained the new Vision Statement (which accompanies the revised mission statement) consisting of ways to fulfill the mission statement. The revised statements were adopted with three minor changes.

• Council on Ministries Chairperson Dora Largent led the Conference in a celebration of the work of Tom True, who has served on the COM staff for over 10 years. "We celebrate Tom's commitment, dedication and the many hours he has spent in God's work," Largent said. True will be moving to a local church appointment at the conclusion of the Conference.

• Deborah Cronin and Sandy Harlan were introduced as new Conference staff members.

• The Conference Division on Outdoor Ministries has received three grants from the Lilly Foundation for "enhancing caring ministries." The grants, totaling $1,657,548, will be directed to projects at camps Indi-Co-So, Moneto and Riverdale. "We are very proud and excited about all the new changes, both in programming and facilities," Kevin Wrigley, Director of Outdoor Ministries, exclaimed. He noted the addition of a staff person available to local churches to assist with camp marketing efforts.

• Michael Anderson, chairperson of the Commission for Racial Healing, directed attention to the group's report, commenting "racism is alive and well in Indiana and even in the South Indiana Conference. Many good people do not understand their complicity in perpetuating racial problems. And, we are not coordinating efforts by various advisory groups of the Annual Conference to work towards any common goal." The commission's recommendations for action were adopted by the Conference.

• The Handicap Awareness Committee Chairperson Anna Marie Fernihough highlighted the $150,000 in grants given since 1990 for church properties, and reminded churches that grants up to $2,000 are available.

• Communications Chairperson Bert Talbott previewed the Igniting Ministry television ads to begin broadcasting in early September. He urged attendance at two upcoming train-the-trainer workshops (June 23 in Crown Point and June 30 at Indianapolis) to support local churches in taking advantage of this campaign. Approved by General Conference last year, the $20 million national campaign includes money for matching grants to annual conferences and districts to enhance the campaign in their own areas. The training sessions provide intensive instruction and idea sharing, preparing local congregations to receive the many new visitors expected to "try out" UMCs in response to the media campaign. Call the conference office to register. Both pastors and lay members are encouraged to attend. Jill Moberly & Lynne DeMichele

Plenary #4:

Fighting the ills of gambling

With more than an hour of discussion, the SIC approved a resolution and amendment that will contribute $29,000 to fight the ills of legalized gambling in Indiana.

The SIC Building Task Force opened their report by affirming Dan Evans as conference chancellor (legal counsel).

Chairperson David Steele relayed that the building of a new Conference headquarters is moving at a slower pace than expected. Core drillings are complete; further work will begin in late summer.

After review of the work completed by the Building Task Force, a lively discussion commenced. Rev. Cindy Alte, Roberts Park UMC (Indianapolis), made a passionate plea, "We have a choice now to distance ourselves (from gambling revenues). It would be a far greater cost if we don't stand up now." And that's exactly what happened. For the next hour, delegates and clergy alike voiced opinions for and against the building project.

The point of discussion comes from the perception that Build Indiana funds which come from state gambling revenue are indirectly benefiting the building project.

Steele reiterated, "We don't benefit directly . it would be an enormous cost to seek other land now." It was explained that a land change would delay the project at a substantial additional cost beyond that approved by last year's annual conference session.

At final count, the report of the building Task Force was approved, with its plan to direct $14,500 to Gambling Recovery Ministries, a program that provides help to gambling addicts. An additional amendment offered by Rev. Dick Hamilton of Indianapolis was passed to render an additional $14,500 to fund the fight against legalized gambling in the state of Indiana.

In other action:

• The Consent Calendar was adopted.

• Rev. Dan Richwine of the Committee on Spiritual Formation provided an overview of a new Upper Room Bible study program, Companions in Christ. A training session will be held on July 7 at St. Luke's UMC, Indianapolis.

• Youth from the SIC entertained the delegates with a skit depicting a young woman explaining a recent youth encounter to her parents. Toys were dispensed to the crowd which was followed by a lively hymn.

• The SIC Foundation distributed checks to Outdoor Ministries for camping scholarships, Church Growth and Development to be used for new church starts and to Vida Nueva UMC. The Cornerstone Grant Fund was introduced. The fund provides gifts of no more than $1,000 to provide seed money for the creation of creative ministries.

• In the Statistician's Report, Douglas Sanders reported that the conference brought in enough new members to fill a small town. But he put a word of caution to the receiving of the 3,160 new people: "Remember, we aren't talking about numbers ... we're talking about people," said Sanders. It was stated that membership in the SIC declined by 1.4 percent, and worship attendance declined by 2.34 percent.

• Also, Sanders reported an increase in Sunday school/programming attendance, which is the second straight year of increases.

• Ruth Gates, a member of Lawrence UMC in Indianapolis, was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Local Church Historian of the Year Award. Gates was honored for her more than 20 years of collecting, documenting, preserving, writing and exhibiting the history of Lawrence UMC. Matthew Carlisle & Matthew Oates

Worship Service:

We live in a radically different world

"Revelation is a messy business, and it is God's hard work for the transformation of the world," said the Rev. Dr. G. Edwin Zeiders, Jr., president of United Theological Seminary, during the Friday morning preaching hour.

"This is no longer the day of the local church; rather, it is the day of the local mission station. The environment we are in is radically different! We are dealing with the first generation of American children who know more than their teachers," he explained.

Zeiders related the story of the time he heard God's voice and understood his old life was about to change to a new one. In that context, he spoke about the dashing of preconceived notions and their radical reordering by a loving God. "He will raise us up in new life, a new creation. Revelation is messy business. New life in Christ is the consequence of new birth," he said.

Zeiders posed what he sees as one of the major problems of American Protestantism. "Are we trying to teach what we have not experienced? Are you the one or should God raise up another?

Zeiders will speak again at this morning's worship service. Jill Moberly 

Prayer Room open for moments of reflection

When conference attendees enter the IU Auditorium, they'll walk past signs, displays and tables of books and information desks. But one sign a small group of United Methodist Men hope you see, the one that reads "Prayer Room."

Vern Knock of Mt. Pleasant UMC was one of the volunteers manning the Prayer Line, 800/251-2468. The calls to the Prayer Line come from the Upper Room's Prayer Center in Nashville, Tenn. They are then forwarded to the Conference Prayer Room during the hours it is manned. From his 2-2:30 p.m. slot, he received four calls. Following some basic information gathering, Knock then listened to the caller and afterwards prays with the person over their concerns. With one caller, Knock continued to talk with her and offered some Scriptures that would comfort her. "I prayed before I sat down at the telephone that the Holy Spirit direct my thoughts and words and that I'd be a good listener."

Another aspect of the Prayer Room is that people can come in and pray at a kneeling rail or sit and pray in chairs in front of an altar with a cross and several prayer books.

South Indiana United Methodist Men President John Hiatt said that they pray over a variety of requests for a variety of people. It's a concern for them, said Hiatt. "Miracles do happen." Matthew Oates

South Conference plants new church in Fishers area

Going into the 2001 Annual Conference there were 705 churches. Coming out of the conference there are 706 churches.

The change in one church represents 10 years of dreaming and praying, four years of footwork and nine months of finalizing those dance steps.

The yet-to-be named church will currently be located at 116th Street and Brooks School Road in Fishers in a strip mall and will occupy almost 5,000 square feet. Rev. Rusty Allanson has been appointed to the church start.

According to Allanson, the first worship service is tentatively scheduled for November 4. With the date approaching, Allanson is not worried. "The plain truth is God is starting the church."

Allanson and his family have already moved to Fishers. "My calling has been and is to be more fully a missionary for Jesus Christ."

The two things this church has right now is the space (which is not completed yet) and the spirit of God. "I am making as many contacts as I can to pray for this new church."

Besides prayer, Allanson is looking to get people involved in forming a core team which will make decisions on items such as a name and also sound, computer and music systems, as well as furniture and office supplies. "I'm so excited about what God is doing." To help out with the new Fishers church start, contact Allanson at 317/845-9462 (home) or at 317/845-9599 (church). Matthew

Celebration of Ministry:

'Feed my sheep'

From the commanding presence of the brass horn quintet acknowledging the beginning of the service to the delicate chiming of the Meridian Street UMC handbell choir, the Celebration of Ministry spoke to the life which lay ahead of those candidates to be ordained and commissioned in the South Indiana Conference.

Referencing John 21:15-17, Bishop Woodie W. White said that often during Ordination Services, candidates are reminded to "feed the sheep." However during his sermon Bishop White chose to address not the shepherds but the sheep. Bishop White spoke of knowing each of the candidates about to be ordained and commissioned. He spoke of being convinced of their intent to be good shepherds as they embarked on their journeys. However; quoting from a book by author Flora Slossen Welder, he warned, "If the shepherd is not fed along with the sheep, the inner hunger and fatigue and those unhealed hurts, can cause the shepherd to do great unconscious harm to those in his or her care." Then with all the power and conviction he could muster, Bishop White commanded, "Feed my sheep."

The task of being a good shepherd, said Bishop White, is a heavy one. Every Sunday, pastors are expected to be profound, articulate and entertaining. The needs of the congregation become the priority of the shepherd, sometimes taking priority over the things happening in their own household. At the same time, shepherds have all the same challenges, problems and burdens as everyone else. The shepherds will get tired and they will get weary, but according to Bishop White, the mutuality of feeding will keep them from becoming cynical.

The mutuality of feeding dictates that the sheep have as much responsibility for the care and feeding of the shepherd as the shepherd have for the sheep. Bishop White invited and encouraged congregations to:

• Have a group of three-five people pray for and with their pastor each week;

• Help pastors not take themselves too seriously. Encourage them to attend the Bishop's retreat in February and take other opportunities to laugh and relax.

• Find a moment to take the pastor away from the daily grind - to a human place.

• Be the kind of sheep with whom the shepherd can share his or her burdens.

• Know your shepherd as well as you would expect to be known by the shepherd sense their needs and reach out.

As the candidates were commissioned and ordained there was no doubt that they were not walking this road alone and that each person in the auditorium was a part of this journey. Beverly Anderson

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