Moving forward: Connectional Ministries focuses on future opportunities

By Jessica Brodie

COLUMBIA—Connectional Ministries representatives from across South Carolina gathered at Journey United Methodist Church Sept. 14 for an inspiring word from the conference’s new bishop to jumpstart their next six months of God’s work. 

“Connectionalism is the way to move forward,” Bishop Leonard Fairley urged more than 70 people who filled the rows of Journey’s sanctuary, all there to do their quadrennial training and handle the business of Connectional Ministries’ four ministry areas—advocacy, lay leadership, discipleship and outreach.

Fairley said while the denomination has been experiencing difficulty these past few years, we need to look beyond that and seize the opportunities the Lord has laid before us.

“I believe the best years of The United Methodist Church are not behind us but in front of us, and I believe there is no better time to be doing this work than now,” Fairley said to applause, reminding the body God often does his best work in the midst of chaos.

Paraphrasing Methodism founder John Wesley, Fairley said, “We might not all think alike, but we can all love alike.”

And to love well, he said, we need to make sure people in our local churches know what is going on so the Methodist connection can truly work.

Other speakers that day echoed those words. New conference Co-Lay Leaders Betty Void and Michael Jennings shared about the exciting work ahead for Connectional Ministries.

“It’s a new day, y’all,” Void said. “We’ve got to get out of the old mindset and start walking through new doors.”

Pamela Goodwine-Glover offered inspirational examples about the transformation God continually brings out of periods of great brokenness, such as the apostles Paul and Peter, Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, and the healing of the demon-possessed man restored to his right mind.

And Connectional Ministries Director the Rev. Millie Nelson Smith shared about the many opportunities available to do God’s work through not only the four ministry areas but also the four South Carolina priorities: developing leaders, engaging our communities, connecting with and growing disciples, and measuring and evaluating current realities and missional possibilities.

“It’s our job together,” Smith said, encouraging the body to unite in service for the Lord.

Connectional Ministries will meet again March 1.