August 2010 - Are You Connected?
Sunday, August 01, 2010
At this year’s Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference session, the focus was on making connections – with God, with other United Methodists here and around the globe, and with people in our communities who need to know Jesus. Several dynamic speakers connected with the 1,800 members and visitors in a powerful way during the June gathering, offering insight into how to improve those connections.
Spending time with God and God’s word is essential, said the Rev. Steve Cordle, pastor of Crossroads UMC, who led Bible study sessions. “Listen to what Jesus says and just do it!”
Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of Zimbabwe, here for the official signing of a partnership agreement between his area and Western Pennsylvania, said the partnership is based on chabadza –a Shona word that describes helping a friend already at work in the field. Building relationships and mutual respect are key.
“The missionary era in Africa has fizzled out. No one is going to do things for us,” he said. “We are not going to wave the banner of poverty and people will take care of us. Those in Zimbabwe have to be in the field working.” And they are!
The church is growing rapidly there as new disciples enthusiastically worship and praise God and share their faith.
Bishop Nhiwatiwa predicted a revival for the church in the U.S., saying there should be room in everyone’s life for the “new heaven and new earth” described in Revelation 21.
“I understand if my brothers and sisters in the U.S. say they are fed up with the church,” he said, “because you have everything…You are so up there as a nation so you say, ‘what type of a new heaven and a new earth do I need? I have all the answers.’” Yet, he added, “there is hunger here; people are searching for something.”
It’s our honor and privilege as Christians to help these people find what they need --to offer them Christ, Cordle pointed out during Bible study.
How? Look for opportunities in your daily life, he said. “Don’t wait for an invitation. Risk spiritual conversation!
“Good News must be proclaimed,” he explained, even by shy people. Simply living a moral life and doing good works doesn’t do the job. “It’s necessary to use words. We don’t do charades evangelism!”
For more from annual conference, go to www.wpaumc.org/AC2010.