August 1, 2017
(Correct date for Spencer Grace 150th Anniversary is Sunday, August 27)
RAGBRAI
Grace and peace. I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful Iowa summer! I just returned from riding in my first RAGBRAI and had an amazing experience cycling through northern Iowa from Orange City to Lansing along the Mississippi River. Along the way, I visited United Methodist churches, ate lots of United Methodist food, and stayed in the homes of United Methodist clergy and laity. There is no better way to get to know the land and the people than taking the time to ride a bike across the state. Thank you to those who hosted and fed our team and prayed for all the riders.
Fall Start Up
August is a time when families wrap up their summer vacations and get ready for the start of school. It’s the same in our local churches, as clergy and church leaders prepare for the beginning of the program year. This is also a time when new families are looking for a place to worship. Maybe they are new to the community or are just feeling a nudge from God that it’s time to find a spiritual home. I trust that your church has or will develop an intentional ministry of welcoming and following-up with guests.
WIG: Wildly Important Goal
At the Iowa Annual Conference in June, we voted to adopt the “wildly important goal” of each congregation having in place by 2020 an intentional plan for forming disciples of Jesus Christ. In July, both the Cabinet Operational Team and the Bishop’s Operational Team spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on what such a process would look. We are very excited about the potential for this process to revitalize discipleship in our local churches.
Commission on a Way Forward
The Commission on a Way Forward met in July and issued a status report on July 26. I encourage you to read and listen to the report here. Don’t miss watching the video component of the report!
August Schedule
This month my schedule includes meetings with conference staff, individuals, and committees. I am also beginning preliminary work on preaching and speaking engagements for the fall and winter. I will be preaching at Grace UMC in Spencer on August 27 for their 150th anniversary.
On a personal note, Gary and I will take a few days in mid-August to visit my 90 year-old-father in the Philadelphia, PA area where I grew up. I am also looking forward to participating in the Des Moines Escape Triathlon (Olympic distance) on Sunday, September 3.
The day after Labor Day, I fly to Nashville to chair the first meeting of the Ministry Study Commission for the 2017-2020 quadrennium. The purpose of the Ministry Study Commission is to follow the 2016 General Conference mandate to focus on “the nature and structure of ministry in the ever-changing context of our world that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.” We will meet twice a year and make recommendations for changes to the 2020 Book of Discipline as we continue to rethink and refine the orders of ministry to better serve the cause of Christ in today’s world.
Have a wonderful August!
Bishop Laurie
