Snapshots of South Georgia

Over 400 people gathered for a day of learning at the annual Pathways to a Healthy Church event at Trinity UMC in Warner Robins.  I was able to share with participants during the first session around the conference theme – Sowing the Word.

I had the opportunity to speak to both South and North Georgia clergy during the Bishop’s Hour at the 2010 Pastors’ School at Epworth By The Sea.

The Disciple Covenant Conference
Something New:  For You – Your Team – Your Congregation

Hello, Beautiful People of South Georgia!

Why: Are you longing for love, joy, peace, or healing as well as a way to grow in your Christian walk as a disciple Jesus Christ?  By combining Bible-based values and starting where you are, you can continue to improve on becoming the best person you can be. You also can work with others on your team to help your congregation grow more Christlike.

What: The Disciple Covenant Conference (DCC) is an experience where clergy, staff and laity come together to develop or improve personal as well as congregational plans based on timeless values of our faith. The plan is called covenant. A covenant is an agreement you make with God and others to try to get better. It is so important to plan and set goals in striving to achieve our endeavors.

What makes the DCC new?
· A different approach to clergy – lay teams developing and examining a covenant plan
· The focus on timeless values of the faith
· It is a first-time experience for the South Georgia Annual Conference.
Please note that this experience is not another program. Can it be used as a program?  Yes. The values of the faith belong to all of us as Christians, and just like an automobile, you need some basic things like tires, a steering wheel, an engine, a transmission, etc.  Prayer, for example, should be a part of every disciple’s plan as well as every Christian congregation’s plan.

When: February 11-12, 2011.

Where: Marriott City Center in Macon.

Who: Several presenters will join me in highlighting practical steps for applying these values personally as well as congregationally.

Mark your calendar now! Begin to think who will be on your team. (Hopefully 3-10 persons.) The DCC will be a blessing for you. It is an experience you will not want to miss. Look for more information in the near future.
Well, until next time remember, God’s will for us is good. We must do the rest.

With love,
Your Bishop,

James R. King, Jr.

On Monday afternoon, July 26 a group of about 80 clergy and laity gathered with me at Epworth By The Sea for a time of informal conversation and discussion around developing clergy and congregational support systems. The name Pro-Verb comes from Proverbs 27:17.

One of our great United Methodist higher education institutions is right here in Macon – Wesleyan College. Did you know that Wesleyan College was the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women? Since that time, they have sent scores of women out in to the world to do some incredible things — including the first woman to receive a Doctor of Medicine degree and the first woman to argue a case before the Georgia Supreme Court.  I was able to spend some time with Dr. Ruth Knox, President of Wesleyan College this month.  To learn more about Wesleyan College, visit www.wesleyancollege.edu.

The Extended Cabinet met for a retreat at Epworth By The Sea the week of June 21.  We spent time in discussion around the book, “Why the Mighty Fall” by Jim Collins.  The Full Cabinet took an evening to have some fun on the mini-golf course.

The Full Cabinet met with the Equitable Compensation Committee prior to Annual Conference.

The Council of Bishops met in Columbus, Ohio back in May.

Our Conference Nominations Committee hard at work.