CHARLOTTE, N.C. – South Carolina Bishop L. Jonathan Holston called United Methodists to embrace the "now and not yet" nature of Christian faith by becoming "the church God needs us to be" in the 2024 Episcopal Address.
In one of the most visual addresses in decades, Bishop Holston built his challenge around a series of videos that contrasted traumatic world events of the past eight years with United Methodist events and activities. The videos, prepared by United Methodist Communications, were narrated by church communicators representing all parts of the worldwide church.
Chosen by the Council of Bishops to deliver the Episcopal Address, Holston framed his speech in eschatological theology, the "now and not yet" reality of the UMC as "who we are, who we say we are, and who we want to be."
The Episcopal Address in times past has been a kind of "state of the church" report from the Council of Bishops. This year, however, the speech's content and delivery dovetailed with other presentations, taking stock of the UMC's challenges while exhorting United Methodists to move beyond their pain into a new future with hope.
As with the opening worship sermon by his episcopal colleague Bishop Thomas Bickerton, Holston acknowledged "the physical and emotional toll on all of us" from events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing gun violence and war. Within the UMC, the bishop noted, clergy and laity alike have been traumatized by constant attacks causing "separation, disaffiliation and polarization."
"What if we push back?" Holston asked. "What if we reset our focus?"
In contrast with world events and disaffiliation trauma, Holston asserted there were "signs of God's reign breaking in everywhere" as United Methodists practiced mission and ministry in challenging, even dangerous, situations since the last General Conference in 2016.
United Methodists "long for shalom," a Jewish word interpreted to mean the state of peace and wholeness promised by Jesus Christ, the bishop said, but he added that biblical accounts depict shalom occurring always amid tension.
Staying in the kind of survival mode the church has endured for the past eight years "leads is to catastrophize," Holston continued.
"Then we leave no room for God to work," the bishop said. "Our call is to live into God's kingdom, not build it as if it were our own."
The church is built "for God's purpose of compassion, generosity and justice," Holston proclaimed. "How do we become who God needs us to be? We can be a beacon of hope in a hurting world. We can embrace the radical, world-transforming love that Jesus has shown us."
Holston stressed that United Methodists must exhibit love in ways that draw people into relationship with Jesus Christ. Then he told the story of how the composer of the popular hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" came to write the song because of the faith exhibited by a disabled couple who lived in her rooming house.
"Are you ready to be the church God needs us to be? Let's go!" he exhorted the crowd, which responded with a standing ovation and shouts of "Amen!"
United Methodist Insight Editor Cynthia B. Astle has reported on the United Methodist Church at all levels since 1988. The 2024 session is her 10th General Conference.