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What in the World
Are We Talking About?
A Forum on the Future: Think Millennia, Not
Quadrennia
“A member of any local United Methodist
Church is a member of the denomination and the universal
church.” (215, The 2000 Book of Discipline)
Beginning
the Conversation
The
global vision for The United Methodist Church, set
forth by the Council of Bishop’s Report
on the Global Nature of The United Methodist Church,
included the following
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Provision
of a means by which the United Methodist family
can live and serve together in a common dignity
and respect as together we respond to the
mission of Jesus Christ; |
| • |
A
serious responsiveness to the unique needs
and expressions of faith in each of the regions
of the world and provision of freedom for
creative response to unique characteristics; |
| • |
Connection
of our global United Methodist membership
at essential points and through common global
mission; and |
| • |
Responsiveness
to the radically changed and changing world
culture in which we are called to do ministry
in Christ’s name |
Continuing
the Conversation
The
2000 General Conference adopted the Connectional
Process Team’s “Living Into the Future”
and its five transformational directions:
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Center
on Christian Formation |
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Call
Forth Covenant Leadership |
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Empower
the Connection for Ministry |
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Strengthen
Our Global Connection and Ecumenical Relationships |
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Encourage
Doctrinal and Theological Discourse
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In
defining the transformational direction, “Strengthen
Our Global Connection and Ecumenical Relationships”
the CPT affirmed
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the
global nature of The United Methodist Church
is seen most clearly in the location of its
members. |
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the historic tradition of The United Methodist
Church to strengthen our commitment to the
unity of the church of Jesus Christ at the
local, national, continental and world levels.
|
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the
commitment of Christians to share with persons
of other living faiths concerns that are basic
to human life and dignity and knowing the
Creator. |
An
Invitation to a Conversation
The purpose of the Forums on the Future is to begin
a conversation, a dialogue, on strengthening our
global connection and ecumenical relationships by
focusing on these provisions. In turn, it is hoped
that this initial conversation can lead to a conversation
between United Methodists around the globe and lead
to a conversation with other religions and faiths.
Communication, therefore, becomes an essential part
of strengthening our global connection and ecumenical
relationships.
The one big question we want to answer or begin
to answer is what do we, as United Methodists, need
to know to begin to communicate—to listen
and to talk—in order to strengthen the global
connection and our ecumenical relationships?
In answering that question, it will be helpful for
us to begin a discussion on the following?
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What
is the radically changed and changing world
culture in which we are called to do ministry? |
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What are the unique needs and expressions
of faith of the regions of the world? |
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What
are the essential points at which the United
Methodist membership can connect through global
mission? |
In answering these questions, we will talk with
experts who are studying these questions and church
leaders and congregations who have begun to answer
these questions by living into the future.
Won’t
You Accept This Invitation?
We
invite you and people in your congregation—leaders,
Bible Study groups, cell groups, Sunday School
classes, whomever, to participate with your questions,
your comments, and your conversation for the two
Forums on the Future in February and March 2003.
What in the World Are We Talking About?
A US Perspective: February 26,2003
What
in the World Are We Talking About?
An International Perspective: March 25, 2003
Forums
on the Future: Think Millenia, Not Quadrennia
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