Robinson Blog
May 1, 2008
The 16-hour General Conference day
By Randy Robinson
LaMoine River District Superintendent
Reserve General Conference clergy delegate
Greetings from Fort Worth and the 2008 General Conference! What an experience! Sixteen hour days have been the norm. Keith Zimmerman and I leave our room at 6:45 a.m. to catch a shuttle downtown to the convention center and arrive back at the room between 11 p.m. and midnight. This is a daily routine.
Bishop Christopher's episcopal address on the first day was spectacular. She and the Council of Bishops set the tone for holy conferencing which has prevailed. Even the language of win/lose has been rejected, as one delegate remarked, "We are not here for holy war, but holy conferencing." Most acknowledge that this General Conference is remarkable for the way it differs from the last 3 in the absence of rancor and mean-spiritedness. Thanks be to God!
Last night, the proposal to authorize a new hymnal revision committee was adopted. But several youth and young adult delegates reminded us that with the rapid evolution in worship music, four years from now when a new hymnal is unveiled, it will probably be out-of-date! They preferred a more flexible and adaptable means of providing worship resources suited for our digital/electronic age. Both youth/young adult and international delegates have been visible and vocal at this General Conference -- a notable change from past General Conferences. Once again, thanks be to God!
The General Conference approved full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) whose presiding Bishop Mark Hanson preached a rousing sermon Tuesday morning. The Lutherans will vote on this same full communion document at their assembly next year.
On Tuesday afternoon President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia was warmly received and addressed the General Conference. In her remarks she said this is an opportune moment for the church to come to Liberia's aid as it resurrects from the ravages of war. She went on to mention ILLINOIS GREAT RIVERS CONFERENCE by name in her address. She made us all very proud of our partnership with Liberia.
Continue to hold this General Conference in your prayers. We are far from finished, but the sense of God's presence leading the discernment process is palpable. The delegates have a deep desire that this conference be seen as prayerful, worshipful work. It is setting a new standard for Christian conferencing in the United Methodist tradition that could spill over to annual conference sessions later this spring. May it be so! Blessings to each and all of you as you faithfully carry out the ministry God has given you this day.