In the past few days, I have been studying the 2004 Edition of The Book of Discipline, the book which describes how The United Methodist Church is organized, what we believe, and how we operate.  I have been spending most of my time studying the chapter which describes the local church.  There have been some surprises which I’d like to share with you.

One of the first tasks of a church council is to elect a prayer coordinator.  This is a lay member who helps the congregation to learn more about and practice a deeper more intentional prayer life.  It was encouraging to see that, in the midst of a chapter which normally describes administrative procedures (which can be pretty boring), there is an emphasis on the spiritual strength we can all gain from prayer.  The prayer coordinator is supposed to work with the council to set aside a space in the church where individuals can go to pray at any time.  This person is also supposed to help locate prayer resources and teach various prayer techniques.  This seems like a positive step in the direction of encouraging prayer to be our first resort as believers, rather than our last (if we pray at all).  I ask you to help us identify the best person to serve as our first prayer coordinator.

In congregations of any size, it is sometimes difficult for the pastor to keep up with all the events in the lives of the members.  A structure has been added which might make this easier.  Each congregation should be divided into groups of 8-10 families and singles, based largely on the location of the members’ homes. One member of the group will be designated to keep track of the families, noting any births, illnesses, financial difficulties, and other significant events.  The group members will care for one another. The pastor will become involved as necessary, but the intent is for members to be the first line of care and concern.  In such a  system, members will have several persons available to help them.  By caring for one another, less of our members should fall through the cracks and disappear without anyone noticing.  Some of our members from West Africa have told me they have had experience with a system like this.  I hope we can create this system at Lincolnia Church   very  soon.   Again,  we  will  need
everyone’s support and suggestions to make this work as it’s intended.

There is an increased emphasis on keeping accurate records of our members and those persons who worship with us but are not members.  Several new forms and procedures have been added.  Some are a bit complicated.  In the next few months, I will try to contact as many of you as possible in order to verify and edit the records we currently have.  This new process is too big for one or two persons, even in a congregation as small as Lincolnia Church.  The church council will be working to find the people who have a knack for details in order to ensure our records are accurate and complete.

These are a few of the new changes and emphases I have discovered so far.  I believe, if we implement them in the spirit in which they were intended, they will help us to grow closer to God and to neighbor.  I’ll keep you posted.

Peace,
Bill