Snapshots of South Georgia

To the beautiful people of South Georgia,

It is my prayer that you are experiencing the grace and peace of Jesus Christ.  The Lenten season is a special time in the journey of every Christian.  May each day during Lent find you closer to our merciful God!

As many of you know, the District Superintendents and I are now immersed in a season of prayer around the placement of clergy for the upcoming conference year.

Each District Superintendent made a concerted effort to meet with each clergy person and each local church Pastor Parish Relations Committee in recent months.  These listening sessions are so vital to our discernment process.  Additional conversations will emerge with many pastors and committees in the coming months as the process continues.

We are all seeking God’s guidance as we discern the gifts, graces and spiritual fruits of all clergy; and as we discern the particular needs, potentials and disciple-making context of all our congregations.  Our deepest desire is to discover the anointed place for each pastor and the anointed pastor for each congregation. 

At this point I invite you to:  

Pray without ceasing for everyone involved in this process.  The Appointive Cabinet, the Pastor-Parish Relations Committees, the congregations, the clergy and their families all need our prayers.

Patiently trust that God is at work in this process.  Admittedly, these are anxious days for many.  When we are anxious we are tempted to do something to accelerate the decision-making process so all will be able to answer the who, where, why, and when questions.  The making of pastoral appointments actually occurs on God’s timetable, in what the Church has called,  “Kairos” time.  We will take our time to listen, consider, explore, seek, and yield to God’s leading.  Once we have something to share, we will seek to be as transparent as possible, as quickly as possible.

You are invited to monitor the conference website for the periodic announcement of firmly projected appointments.  These appointments will be posted once the pastor and congregations involved have had opportunity for additional conversation and notification.

Matching congregations and clergy for optimum disciple-making capacity is at the center of all this spiritual work.  It is through these lay and clergy partnerships, which are forged in each congregation, that we join in God’s redemptive work.

Thanks for all your efforts aimed at “Growing a Christlike World.”  It is my deep joy to join you in this holy endeavor.

Your Bishop,

James R. King, Jr.

Below is my article that appeared in the Feb. 5 issue of the South Georgia Advocate.  Not a subscriber?  Visit www.sgaumc.org/advocate and subscribe today!

Yes, you can!

Hello, beautiful people of South Georgia,

Jack Canfield captures the true story that took place in 1977 in Florida. A woman, at the age of 63, picked up the back end of a car to get it off her grandson’s arm. Prior to that experience, the woman had never lifted anything heavier than a 50-pound bag of pet food. What seemed like the impossible became possible.

Yesterday I prayed for two women who were scheduled for surgery on the following day. These two did not know each other. They lived miles apart but were going through similar situations at the same time on the same day. Yesterday I heard about a friend whose family member had lost their job. Yesterday I heard about hundreds of students who are being blessed on one of our college campuses because you have generously given. Yesterday I heard how our St. Mary’s Foundation is not only helping people globally but many of our caring projects in South Georgia as well. Yesterday I heard one of our pastors share a story about a clergy person who seemed to have had little financially but at his death left one million dollars to several agencies that are caring for the least among us. Yesterday I heard a parent talk about being grateful as she led her son to the store to purchase supplies for a health kit for Haiti. This little boy was amazed that there are some in Haiti who do not have water to drink.

For every tragedy there are equally as many good news stories of how the faithful have partnered with God to be light in the world. When an earthquake occurs in our lives as in Haiti it frames our circumstance but it does not define who we are. Paul writes in Philippians 4: 12-13 “In any and all circumstances I have leaned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

I am so thankful for all the pastors, staff and congregations that are doing an excellent job in making disciples of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is easy to get discouraged over the situations and circumstances that fly in the face of God’s promise. As your bishop, I am deeply committed to being a part of the church that is breaking through the lifeless and lost parts of the mission of the church. I join many of you who are prepared to put it all on the line in the hope that a Christ-like world is possible. What we hope for requires an unshakable faith in God to do what God said God would do in the Bible.

When I think about the woman who picked up the back end of a car at 63, I am reminded that all things are possible when we forget about what we can’t do and focus on what we can do.

I ask you this – what is going on in your life where your current situation is getting more attention than your faith in God to do great and marvelous things?

I am willing to say, “Yes, We Can!” because I believe our congregations can catch on fire and turn the world to God who saves.

Are you willing to say, “Yes, I can!” in spite of some health problem?

Are you willing to say, “Yes, I can!” in spite of some financial barrier?

Are you will to say, “Yes, I can!” in spite of some who say it can’t be done?

Say to yourself today, “Yes, I can!” and then get started or keep going or cross the finish line. Because God is with you, it can be and it will be done. Glory to God! Yes, you can!

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.

I had a great day with the people of Christ UMC in Warner Robins in January.

The full South Georgia Conference Cabinet met in January at Epworth By The Sea.  Rev. Ronnie Wills led our devotion and communion time, which we have before beginning each one of our meetings.

I was at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta last month and got the chance to be with our seminary students from South Georgia. 

We had a Statesboro District-wide worship service in January at Waynesboro First United Methodist Church.  An ensemble from Paine College blessed us with their music.

I had the honor of serving alongside volunteers at Macon Outreach as they hosted a special community Thanksgiving worship service and turkey dinner meal for their neighbors.  More than 300 meals were served during the event, which was held at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church.  Read the South Georgia Advocate article here:  http://www.sgaumc.org/news/detail/96.

All of the General Church Secretaries along with the bishops who serve as presidents of the general agencies met together at the end of last year.  I serve as the president for the General Commission on United Methodist Men.

I traveled to Beersheba Springs Assembly in the Tennessee Annual Conference – my home conference.  Various rooms throughout the assembly were furnished in honor of Bishops who were elected from the Tennesse Conference:  Bishops Pennel, Clark, Spain, King, and Morris.  Brentwood UMC, the church I served prior to becoming a bishop, graciously furnished one of the conference rooms in my honor.

I was priveledged to be a part of the 2009 United Methodist Women Annual Meeting in Columbus back in October.