Connectional Table to Focus on Discernment

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CHICAGO – The Connectional Table of The United Methodist Church will hold its next board meeting April 4-7, 2018 in Glenview, Ill., at the office of Wespath, the United Methodist agency for pension and health benefits.

The 64-person board will focus on its central purpose, which is the discernment and articulation of the vision of the church. They will engage and explore a vision for a worldwide United Methodist connection as articulated in Paragraph 125 of the Book of Discipline. The agency also seeks to affirm the church’s missional priorities for the future as expressed through the Four Areas of Focus that will help vibrant congregations in the shared mission to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

“Our meeting will take place the week after Easter,” noted Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, who began her role as Chief Connectional Ministries Officer in January. “My prayer is that we will gather in a spirit of resurrection, and that Christ will arise within and among us during our time together.”

Speakers will include:

  • The Rev. Dr. Fred Day, general secretary of the Commission on Archives and History, will open the  plenary by providing historical context, taking special note of the 50-year anniversary of the 1968 General Conference that witnessed the merging of two denominations.
  • Dr. Hendrik Pieterse, Associate Professor of Global Christianity and World Religions at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, will consider the future of United Methodism in a global context.
  • Erin Hawkins, the general secretary of the General Board of Religion and Race, will assist the CT as they begin to shape narratives of hope and possibility for the church in the future.

The Connectional Table will also have the opportunity to hear from Eric Martin from Adaptive Change Advisors. Mr. Martin will share insights on the kind of leadership needed to sustain consequential change. The Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters will also share the most recent developments of a General Book of Discipline.

In addition, Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball will bring a report on the work of the Commission on a Way Forward. “The CT fully recognizes the importance and relevance of the Commission’s work and looks forward to receiving information from Bishop Steiner Ball,” said Bishop Christian Alsted, chair of the Connectional Table.

“We respect the fact that the Commission is carrying out this task at the request of the Council of Bishops and that this is the work of the Commission and the Council," Bishop Alsted said. "The CT will focus on discerning and articulating vision and stewarding the mission of the church and will not be acting on or advocating for any proposals. However, we will continue to pray unceasingly for God’s vision to lead us all on the path ahead.”

This article was adapted from a press release.