Trains a Comin'

Last Saturday New ACT met in Baldwinsville, NY for its monthly meeting. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say we made more decisions that day then we've made in months, not because we've been indecisive, but because now is the time.

Up until now New ACT's work has been focused on tasking various Planning Teams and task forces with developing the structures, policies and programs we need to get going as a new annual conference. These teams and task forces have gotten right on this work and now they're ready for New ACT to evaluate and approve their proposals. Last Saturday New ACT received, examined and approved several of these proposals.

In subsequent posts I'll talk about the details involved in these specific proposals. Right now, let me share the general process of evaluation and approval we started using this past Saturday. As we began to look at various proposals I asked New ACT to imagine our process as kind of like inspecting a train as it pulls into a station as part of a long journey. New ACT is charged with seeing that this "train" (i.e., proposal) is on track with our stated vision and purpose. Its not our job to redo or rethink the proposal, but to make sure it's solid and moving us in the right direction.

Several outcomes of this "inspection" are possible. 1) New ACT might like the proposal in its entirety and send "that train" on its way to the June 19, 2010 Uniting Conference for final approval; or 2) we might affirm some parts of the proposal to be sent forward, but refer some pieces (cars?) back to the planning team or task force for reconsideration. In a few cases where decisions need to be implemented now rather than later, New ACT might act in a third way and enact the proposal immediately.

Check back here soon for specifics about some of the proposals we've "sent down the tracks."

Lightbulbs and other Leadership Challenges

Questions: "How many United Methodists does it take to change a light bulb?"

Answer: "Change?!!! United Methodist don't do Change!"

Sorry. I know you've probably heard that joke a million times and don't like the punchline any better than I do. We United Methodists aren't as "change-averse" as it suggests. At least not United Methodists in the Upper New York Area! Right?

One thing is for sure - we United Methodists in Upper New York are about to experience a lot of change: New Conference, New Area, New Era. God is about to do a new thing among us.

And its going to take a whole bunch of United Methodists to help make this change. That's why the Interim Leadership (i.e, Nominations) Planning Team just issued a call for leaders from across the region to submit their names for possible leadership positions. This team has been asked to recruit hundreds of United Methodists from across Upper New York to work on the various new conference teams, committees and boards.

They are looking for you.

Now, before you click on to another site, stay with me for just a few more lines. I promise not to lay on the guilt about how much the new conference needs people like you to volunteer your time and talent. That's a true statement, but I'm not going to go there.

Instead, I want to invite you to consider what leadership in our new conference might bring into your life. I want you to wonder and ponder if God is seeking to bless you by calling you to serve in this way.

As I page through the Bible and consider the stories of people like Abraham and Sarah, David and Jeremiah, and Mary and Peter, the pattern becomes pretty clear: God blesses us by making us a blessing to others. A double blessing, in other words.

Would you prayerfully consider if one of the ways God is seeking to achieve this double blessing in your life is through following this link?