Dear Friends and Colleagues in the New Mexico Annual Conference,   

     I spent last Friday in Chicago at the inaugural meeting of the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA). A helpful UMC news article about the WCA can be found here, and the official website of the WCA can be found here.

     My presence in Chicago was primarily in my role as Conference Provost and to listen and learn on behalf of my sisters and brothers in New Mexico and Far West Texas. While an invitation to join the WCA was offered at the event, I did not and do not intend to become a member of the WCA.

     The WCA seeks to be a gathered, membership-driven voice for renewal and reform of the Methodist movement, particularly from the traditional, conservative, and evangelical side of our connection. In the few short hours that we spent together, we experienced powerful worship, great preaching, and (primarily) a positive effort to ground this new organization in the authority of scripture, in the traditions and orthodoxy of the Church (particularly our Wesleyan heritage of social holiness and personal piety), in our global, world-wide connection, and in an evangelical mission to reach beyond ourselves with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

     The backdrop for this event, however, is the increasing uncertainty about the future of our denomination. This fall, a special Commission on Human Sexuality is being formed that is tasked with discerning a way forward for our Church, as we seem to be at an impasse with our disagreements over homosexuality.

     On Friday, the WCA presented and affirmed a "Chicago Statement" directed to the Commission asking that they move expeditiously and transparently, with the goal of offering at a special, called, world-wide General Conference (in early 2018) a solution to our conflicts over homosexuality that will "restore the good order of our church's polity." Failing that, the WCA asks that the Commission prepare a "plan of separation" allowing for persons of good conscience to "go forward in peace and good will."

     While the vast majority of our time together was positive, uplifting, and a full-throated support of a warm-hearted, authentic Wesleyan way of being church, the Chicago Statement, and the pending actions of the Commission and special General Conference will loom large for us all.

    On Friday, Rev. Jerry Kulah from Liberia proclaimed that our Church is at the crossroads. At the crossroads we must patiently wait for the wisdom of God in order to choose our future directions wisely, we must consider the paths of the saints who have gone before us, and we must call out to one another for guidance and direction. All United Methodists stand at these crossroads. We must all wait patiently upon the wisdom of God in our time, we must all consider the paths of the saints who have gone before us, and we must deliberately and intentionally call out to (and listen to) one another for guidance and direction.

     My hope as I returned home from the WCA gathering is (1) that we might all redouble our efforts to pray for our Church and its leaders-especially during this time of uncertainty at the crossroads-(2) that we might all call out to (and listen to) one another more intently, and that, (3) above all else, we would continually engage in the everyday, ordinary work of building relationships in our communities that make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

     If you'd like to have more information about my experience at the WCA, I'm available any time to share further reflections and takeaways. As always, I'm grateful for you and your ministry and I am blessed by our service together.

In Christ,
Randall
Randall Partin, Provost

Stop predatory lending: A statement from Bishop Ough 

During the NMAC 2016, Randall discussed this issue of predatory lending.  Dakotas Annual Conference passed a resolution to combat excessive payday lending. 

 

     United Methodists in the Dakotas, like United Methodists around the world, embrace a "rule of life" handed down to us from John Wesley, the founder of our evangelical, spiritual and social holiness movement.  The core elements of this "rule of life" are:                                                                        

Do no harm,
Do good, and
Stay in love with God.

     These core truths are expressed in one way or another by every faith tradition.  These are the core truths that give rise to the United Methodist Church's firm and unwavering position against excessive payday lending.

     At the twenty-third session of the Dakotas Annual Conference, the body approved a resolution concerning predatory lending in South Dakota. Members voted to become a coalition partner with South Dakotans for Responsible Lending. You can   read the full resolution beginning on page 39 of the 2016 Journal Volume I.