An Open Letter from the Bishop and Cabinet
An Open Letter
From the Bishop and the Cabinet
To the people of the Western North Carolina Conference

Like many others we, the Bishop and the Superintendents of the Western North Carolina Conference, recognize the crossroads at which we stand in The United Methodist Church. Many across our Conference are deeply concerned and have expressed frustration and regret about the meetings and decisions of some Annual Conferences and Jurisdictional Conferences over the past two months not to follow provisions of the Book of Discipline regarding marriage and ordination standards which they believe are discriminatory. Most recently in the Western Jurisdiction, the election to the office of bishop of Rev. Karen Oliveto who has been described as “an openly lesbian clergyperson,” has ignited concerns for our denomination as well as questions about our polity and our unity. Others across our area, however, believe these actions are signs of a new day and a different future for The United Methodist Church.
Concurring with the
pastoral letter from the College of Bishops of the Southeastern Jurisdiction, we “view the acts of nonconformity as a violation of our covenant….” We remain hopeful that the collaborative efforts of the commission that was approved at General Conference will provide a way forward. While that work continues, we are committed to maintaining our covenant to uphold The Book of Discipline.
How shall we move forward in the light of these actions in other parts of our connection? First, we urge the clergy and laity across the conference to be patient. Bishop Bruce Ough, President of the Council of Bishops, wrote: “Our Book of Discipline has clearly delineated processes in place for resolving issues even as complex and unprecedented as this election (of Rev. Oliveto).” Those processes take time and require us to be patient as they work their way through the system.
Second, we urge everyone to join us in fervent prayer for our church and for our witness in the world in the name of Jesus. We believe that there is no substitute for the on-going prayers of God’s people, humbly asking and seeking God’s Spirit to intervene and reveal a way forward. To that end, we have committed to a weekly time of fasting for the sake of the unity of our church. As has been true in every age and for every situation which the church has confronted since the Day of Pentecost, we must be open and responsive to the leading of God’s Spirit and not our own. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome: “rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
Finally, we urge all of our churches to stay the course and to remain focused on the mission. We rejoice in the many ways that God is working through the churches of the Western North Carolina Conference and the manner in which you are all remaining committed to the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of lives, communities, and the world. We will continue to lead and to live faithfully into the covenant we have made with God through our baptism, with The United Methodist Church through our ordination, and with each other through our faith in Christ Jesus.
In response to
the invitation from Bishop Ough to all United Methodists, we will daily offer our fervent prayers for the witness of The United Methodist Church, “making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). We earnestly invite all of you to join us in these offerings of prayer, fasting, and sacrifice.
Resources for Vital Congregations
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Books
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Serve Your Neighbor
GBHEM Leadership Resources
eLEAD
Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church
Englewood Book Review
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Ted Talks: The Golden Circle
Ted Talks: The Power of Vulnerability
Ted Talks: The Price of Invulnerability
Design Thinking
Meditations on the Ministry of All Christians
DISCIPLE FORMATION:
Be A Disciple
A Disciple’s Path; A Guide for United Methodist
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Adult Christian Studies from the Wesley Ministry Network
Traveling Together: A Guide for Disciple Forming Congregations
WESLEYAN STUDIES:
Living As United Methodist Christians
Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials
Reclaiming our Wesleyan Tradition: John Wesley’s Sermons for Today
John Wesley Sermons: Anthology
REACHING PEOPLE:
Get Their Name
Evangelism & Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit
Canoeing the Mountains
Fresh Expressions
Fresh Expressions: Dinner Church
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Reach New Disciples
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: 50 Ways to Reach People
Community: The Structure of Belonging
RESOURCES TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY:
Institute for Emerging Issues
Congregations 4 Children
GRANTS:
The Royce and Jane Reynolds Ministry Fund Grants
The Duke Endowment
OTHER:
The Appalachian District Church Vitality Team has been prayerfully seeking ways to help support you and the ministries of your local congregation during this COVID-19 pandemic. Together they have diligently researched and connected with others throughout the conference and our denomination to identify resources and offer them to you. We hope they will be helpful to you and bless you greatly in leading your churches and communities through this unprecedented time. We are very grateful to the District Vitality Team and other contributors for their great work on this resource.
This faithful team has created three documents, two of which you are receiving today. They include:
- Family Home Worship – designed to help families establish a regular worship space within their homes as well as a time where they can worship together.
- Tech Strategies – to help guide you in selecting effective tools and resources within your budget to best communicate in the digital world.
We believe these resources will be of great benefit to you. Also know that the District Vitality Team is available to answer any questions you might have in regards to the documents attached. If you have questions, you may email Rev. Howard Fleming at hfleming@wnccumc.net.