Several have requested written copies of the State of the Church address shared by Bishop Steiner Ball at the June 2022 session of the West Virginia Annual Conference session.
Over the next 3 Short Circuits, the address, will be shared in written form in six sections. Each section is followed up with reflection questions that may be used for personal or group reflection.
We hope that clergy and laity will find these sections informational and motivational. We hope that the address will help you to identify ministry and mission being accomplished in the name of Christ to lift up and celebrate in your congregations and communities.
State of the Church: Section 1
Church Messiness is not new!
Let’s talk about the state of the church. Have you noticed it's a little messy? Now just because it is messy that doesn't mean that good ministry isn't happening in our local congregations! But, there is messiness. There is messiness within the denomination, messiness within our world, and in our nation over many different subjects...
Click here to read this section, and to reflect on the State of the Church with questions for reflection.
State of the Church: Section 2
Misinformation and Information
In the midst of disagreement, sometimes there is misinformation that gets out there and contributes to the messiness. Let me speak to some of the misinformation. I know I won't answer all the questions, nor do I have time to answer all the questions in this annual conference session.
Here is what I know. General Conference has been postponed till 2024. However, no, the church has not split. Yes, there has been a new denomination that has formed in recent months. It's called the Global Methodist Church. This is a new denomination. It is not a wing or a branch of The United Methodist Church. It is a new denomination...
Follow this link to read more, and to reflect on this section.
State of the Church: Section 3
General Conference, Jurisdictional Conference, Delegations
Yes, being a part of a faith community can be messy. When we have General Conference in 2024, some things will be messy. Yes, there will be new legislation that comes to the 2024 General Conference, and at this point, we have no idea whether all the previous legislation will also be included in the work of General Conference of 2024. We do know there will be a Jurisdictional Conference in November of this year.
Click here to read this section, and to reflect on the State of the Church with questions for reflection.
State of the Church: Section 4
This world and its people need Jesus
Yes, there is messiness in the church. But, in the meantime, we have a very broken, hurting world. We have a world and people who need Jesus. We cannot pause our mission and our ministry just because it's messy and just because we disagree on some things. That would not be faithful living. We need to continue to persevere in the mission and ministry of Christ.
Follow this link to read more, and to reflect on this section.
State of the Church: Section 5
Celebrations!!
We've had a lot of first-time guests to our congregations in 2021, both in person and online. You have heard about Portico, our online educational platform. The United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia continues to help support and empower ministry. Our communications team helps us connect by continually offering multiple opportunities to equip, train, and resource local church ministry. Our conference has expanded its denominational connection, and this has helped to stabilize our budget by moving our Conference health insurance to HealthFlex through Wespath for active pastors and their families.
Click here to read this section, and to reflect on the State of the Church with questions for reflection.
State of the Church: Section 6
God is calling people into lay and pastoral ministry
There are opportunities to recognize the calling of God and identify persons who are being called into ministry. Churches are where pastors are made. We need to raise up new pastors! We need our laity and we need to raise up, multiply new lay leadership and lay ministers! We have an opportunity to work on our lay ministry and empower our lay ministry. We have an opportunity to work and strengthen our lay and clergy partnerships.
Follow this link to read more, and to reflect on this section.