In a recent conversation with a lay person from another denomination, I asked the question, “So, how would you compare your church today to what it was a year ago?” After a short pause, her answer was, “Oh, about the same.”

I must admit that I was not particularly surprised about her response, as I hear it time and time again. Being established members of established churches, it is easy for us to fall into the “routine” of doing church that we slowly drift away from joy of being the Church. Especially when we are consumed with everything from the order of worship to meetings and ministries being on strict schedules, our world view can become constrained to tunnel vision by all of the “tasks” of doing church.

So, I asked, “Have you lost members during the past year?” “Yes,” she replied. “Have you gained any members?” “Yes.” “Has anything significant changed in the community surrounding your church?” “A new housing complex opened,” she said. I continued with several other questions, until she said, “I think you are about to make a point, aren’t you?”

“It seems that your mission field, your resources, and your possibilities may have constantly changed without you even realizing it.”

For many of us, the Church is in suspended animation, as we wait for some form of legislation to tell us where we should go next. Micah 6:8 informs us about next steps, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

The current fragility of a great number of our congregations, when combined with the hindrances of the pandemic and the stagnation of ministries while awaiting GC2024, just might leave congregations ineffective beyond 2024. What can congregations do to prepare for whatever the future of the United Methodist Church holds?

I am excited about the opportunities that our upcoming Annual Conference gathering will give us to realize the urgencies that persist in our mission fields TODAY. I pray that clergy and lay attendees will return to their congregations with renewed energy and the desire to revitalize, create, and expand their missional footprints and be the Church where and when it is needed…here and now!

I ask all who attend Annual Conference to participate in the excursions, take photos, ask questions, and make notes. Look and see if you are inspired to seek out opportunities for justice and mercy ministries while at McAllen. Exchange ideas and form alliances with others as you seek and offer resources for the greater good.

Annual Conference is not merely a business meeting. It is an opportunity to build up the Body of Christ in this mission field we call the Rio Texas Annual Conference. I hope to see you there!

Ralph Thompson
Conference Lay Leader