The Discipline: A Call to Action
This is the second in a series of blogs by the bishop on the church’s need to act in specific ways to align around our mission and the five areas of focus embraced by the denomination and our Annual Conference.
Our United Methodist Book of Discipline is a very interesting read (that statement alone may indicate to you my current excitement level). Actually, it is. This book does a wonderful job of setting an order for our lives as United Methodists. There are significant gems tucked away in it.
The first is its title – Book of DISCIPLINE. Webster’s Dictionary defines “discipline” in this context as “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character, or a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity.” A “disciplined” life is one that strives for a sense of order and rhythm. On all levels of our personal and denominational life together, we need “discipline.” It’s a “call to action.”
Another gem is paragraph 201 on page 133: “The Local Church provides the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. It is a community of true believers under the Lordship of Christ. It is the redemptive fellowship in which the Word of God is preached by persons divinely called and the sacraments are duly administered according to Christ’s own appointment. Under the discipline (there’s that word again) of the Holy Spirit, the church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world.” WOW – what a paragraph. In one paragraph our Book of Discipline acknowledges the importance of the local church, the mission it is called to embrace, the power of the Word of God, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit AND the potential which exists in every local church to be a participant in nothing less than the REDEMPTION of the world! That’s a “call to action.”
Another lesser known gem in our Book of Discipline is found in paragraph 812 (page. 514) and paragraph 247.14 (page 162). These paragraphs talk about priority setting in the life of the church. Paragraph 247.14 puts it very simply – “Payment in full of these apportionments (The World Service Fund & Conference benevolences) by local churches is the first benevolent responsibility of the church.” In Western Pennsylvania we call that “Mission Share.” The Book of Discipline says that 100% Mission Share payment is the FIRST priority or responsibility of the local church. The Book of Discipline also uses the word “benevolent” in its description. Webster’s defines “benevolent” as “ marked by or disposed to doing good.”
I can relate to that. As a leader, I have always tried to create an understanding about apportionments/mission share based on that reality – it is a part of our ministry, not a tax from the hierarchy. Apportionments/Mission Share is a part of the ministry of “doing good” around the world. Those contributions affirm our role in the connection, acknowledge that we are participants in the wider work of the church, and recognize the critical role that the larger church provides significant ministries that cannot be accomplished by one local church serving in isolation. I have always believed in that and have never settled for any congregation that I have served paying less than 100% of its apportioned figure. It’s just not an option – or at least it shouldn’t be.
Lately I have been receiving letters from individuals who are passionate about certain mission projects in our Annual Conference. Their pleas are consistent – “Bishop, please restore full funding from the Annual Conference for this project.” In addition, every year I receive a series of pleas from certain local churches for assistance. Their requests are consistent – “Bishop, shouldn’t we be able to count on our Annual Conference to help us?” My answer to all these good people is the same. If our local churches would pay 100% of their Mission Share, I would be able to fulfill these requests. The problem isn’t with the Annual Conference – I am pleased with the fiscal responsibility that has been established and maintained by our financial wing. We won’t spend what we don’t have. The issue resides in places where apportionments/mission share are not a priority. The Book of Discipline speaks clearly – apportionments/mission share are our first responsibility. It’s an undeniable, clearly stated, “call to action.”
Every year I also receive a letter or two from pastors and/or laity who ask, “What are we supposed to do?” Our Book of Discipline is our guidebook.
It is, quite simply, a “Call to Action.”
The Journey Continues, . . .
By: Bishop Thomas Bickerton On 12/14/2009
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