After doing a search on Google , I found an article titled Problems Plague United Methodist Study of Problems . I assumed the article was about the recent study that found that ineffective clergy were the biggest obstacle to reversing the UMC's 40 year decline. Much to my amazement, the article was from 1994. It was then I realized, we haven't moved much in the past 13 years.

One thing I found interesting was that we are still studying our problems relating to decline, but apparently haven't found any solutions. Paul wrote in Col 1:27 that Christ in you is the hope of glory. If we are going to have any hope it is because Christ is within us. Perhaps it is the role of the bureaucracy to always believe that the solution to problems come from the top. After all, that is why the folks at that level got involved. They are convinced that given the right environment they can make significant changes. The only problem is, I'm not sure that has happened over the past 40 years.

Read the Rest Here

Could it be that we have been looking for the solution in the wrong place? Could it be that the solution is within all those who call themselves United Methodist? Could it be that the solution to our 40 year decline has been in the local church all along? Many believe this is the case so they call for more 'power' at the local church level. Perhaps more focus on the local church is one step in the right direction.

What I have found in the local church, however, are individuals, while well meaning, are not all ready to be leaders toward significant transformation. We have told them to sit tight while the 'professionals' figure out the problems and the solutions. At our annual conferences we send delegates to General and Jurisdictional conferences (which ends up usually being the same people). Some are led to believe that the delegates are the ones who will bring about the transformation we need.

Maybe it is time for us to find ways to wake up the 'sleeping giant' of the UMC...our people. Christ in us...the hope of glory and also the hope of the UMC. General Conference is not able to reverse the decline. The power of the reversal is in the local churches. It is time for the members of the UMC open themselves up to God and hear God's call to join in the work of God's kingdom. Some already have and they understand that Christ in them is not only the hope of glory, but also the hope of the world.

Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:
Code:*