Fall is almost here. Before we know it, Thanksgiving and Advent will be upon us! Another thing that fall brings is more mundane. Our district superintendent, Ron Lowery, will convene our annual charge conference is scheduled for Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. at our church. The charge conference is the highest decision-making body of our congregation. There are certain matters of our church that may be attended to only by the charge conference.
The charge conference looks ahead to the coming year in taking its decisions. The preparation for the conference always calls to my mind the opening of John Wesley’s Covenant Renewal Service:
Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants.
Give yourselves to him that you may belong to him.
Christ has many services to be done.
Some are more easy and honorable; others are more difficult and disgraceful.
Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests, others are contrary to both.
In some we may please Christ and please ourselves.
But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves.
It is necessary, therefore, that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ. Let us, therefore, go to Christ, and pray:
Let me be your servant, under your command. I will no longer be my own. I will give up myself to your will in all things.
One of the busy committees preparing for the charge conference is the committee on lay leadership, abbreviated “LLC.” The LLC is responsible for identifying lay members of the church to serve in the various offices and committees that make the church operate. This is a serious, sober job, so important, in fact, that the LLC’s own members may be elected only by the charge conference.
When we joined the church, we vowed to support the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service. These are not empty vows, but are somber commitments by each of us to do his or her part to help the church prosper.
As the LLC meets to prepare for the charge conference, we will consider the responsibilities of each office and committee as we discern who would be a good “fit” for them. We also will take note of the services being performed by other members of the same household. It’s all too easy for one person, or a husband and wife, to occupy more than one office at a time. This is usually not a good idea.
The typical term of service in Methodist churches is three years. This year several persons holding individual offices will graduate. As well, about one-third of each committee graduates every year.
It is crucial for the health of the church as a whole that the same people not serve over and over, rotating from one office or committee to another. It is crucial for their spiritual health, too!
Every member of the church is liable to be nominated by the LLC for an office or committee. Each person nominated by the LLC will be directly contacted by an LLC member. Nominees will be presented with an explanation of the duties of the office or committee.
I would like to point out, as tactfully as possible, that it is expected that persons nominated by the LLC will accept the nomination unless there are unusual reasons for declining. Each of us promised our service when we joined.
Service to the people of Sango is a privilege as well as a responsibility. Through service, yes, even on committees and individual offices, we are led by the Spirit to grow as disciples and work for the good of the entire community of faith. Serving is part of witnessing!
Let us remember the admonitions of the Wesleyan Covenant Service. Some services are easy, some are difficult. Some services seem agreeable to us, some do not. But they are all important for the good of our congregation and the work of Christ in the world through his church!
