Read MARK 1:14-20. Key Verse: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." (v. 15).
"It begins today!" is a more modern adaptation of Jesus' "The time if fulfilled," words that He used to start His ministry. And it is chosen because today The 2012 General Conference begins. Delegates from all over the world whose lives were touched by Jesus Christ through United Methodist efforts in some way, in some place, at some time; elected by their peers to represent them, come to make holy decisions for our denomination. This happens only every four years. This is the only voice that The United Methodist Church has. Whatever is "said" here stands for the next four years. It is a sacred but daunting task. You and I and many, have been in prayer for what is to happen here. We are trusting God to help us understand what it is that we should do and what we should "say" about who we are. In the passage used today, Jesus came to the water's edge to call the first disciples and today we will be, in Tampa, Florida, by the water's edge, to see what the modern disciples have been up to since that first calling of disciples.
Our mission statement as a church is to "Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." May all we "say" reflect that we are serious about not only being, but making disciples of Jesus Christ for this important task. May the vision of what a transformed world look like be reflected in our decisions and actions today and all days.
PRAYER: Loving God, move among us as we convene for this important conference. Speak to us and whatever it is that we "say" in our actions throughout the ten days that we meet, reflect the loving, transforming presence of Your Holy Spirit. We pray in Christ Jesus, amen.
