2010 Annual Conference

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is with anticipated enthusiasm that I call upon you as a child of God, a Christian and a United Methodist to come together for a time of holy conferencing at the 42nd Detroit Annual Conference to be held at Adrian College, May 20 – 23, 2010.  According to our 2008 Discipline, “the purpose of annual conference is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church; all to the glory of God.” (p. 366, ¶601).  

 

As we continue to shape the time together for annual conference to support the four focus areas as declared by the Council of Bishops, this year will be filled with time to learn, worship, share, and engage in the business of our church in order to fulfill the purpose we are called to be in ministry for.  The focus for this year will be “creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations”.  The theme is “Wherever the water flows … life will flourish … life abounds.”

 

Our guest teacher will be the renowned Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., a Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership and Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.  He is the author of Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, and Integrity; Take the Next Step: Leading Lasting Change in the Church; Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit; John Wesley’s Message Today, and The Crisis of Younger Clergy (with Ann A. Michel).   He co-edits the online newsletter, Leading Ideas.  Known for his passion for inspiration and encouraging people to move out into the broader realm of evangelism and being the church in the marketplace, I am certain each and every one of us will walk away with something useful to equip our own local churches.

 

I will have the privilege of preaching at both the Opening Worship Service and the Memorial Service.  At the same time, I want to lift up the responsibility we have to be neighbors to all God’s children, especially in places like Haiti.

 

We continue to hear of the declining membership within our denomination.  Let this be a time where we draw the line and say “not on my watch.”  Let us be inspired, impassioned, and bold in our efforts to reach out to those who do not know or are searching more deeply for the good news of Jesus Christ.  And to God be the glory!  

 

Come with anticipation, prepared, and with open hearts, and open minds.  May the Holy Spirit fill our presence.  

 

Sincerely,

 

Jonathan D. Keaton