FOCUS ON THE VISION
DENISE WALTON
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Recently, I informally approached clergy and laity across the annual conference and asked, “What will you remember most about the leadership of Bishop James King?” Several people named a special conversation, a preaching occasion, annual conference session, or event held in the district. Still others shared that Bishop King has worked diligently to preach, teach, and encourage all of us to embrace discipleship. One leader shared, “Bishop King has given our annual conference the gift of a language of disciple making.”
As we celebrated the episcopal retirement of Bishop James King at the 2016 session of the South Georgia Annual Conference, disciple making and evangelism were key themes. Indeed, if there is one spiritual theme consistently present in the teaching, preaching, and spiritual leadership of Bishop King it is truly that of discipleship.
In fact, over the past several years each annual conference has been organized around one of the Ten Timeless Values:
- Sabbath
- Scripture
- Stewardship
- The Lord’s Supper
- Baptism
- Fasting
- Justice
- Fellowship
- Witness
- Prayer
These Ten Timeless Values were represented by missional paths and communicated through themes of the annual conference such as:
- See Ye First
- Sowing the Word
- Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So
- The Least of These
- Never Alone
- Know and Grow
- We’re Better Together
- Testify and Multiply
The 2016 annual conference theme, “Testify and Multiply,” was weaved throughout the entire conference. The preaching, bible studies, and personal witness of presenters encouraged delegates to personally engage in witnessing and sharing with others.
How might you engage the delegate(s) from your local church to hear a report regarding annual conference?
How might your local church benefit from the teaching, preaching, and Bible study on evangelism and witnessing?
What steps will you take in your local congregation to testify and multiply?
Go ye therefore and make disciples,
Denise Walton
Rev. Denise Walton serves as the Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional Ministries. Contact her at denise@sgaumc.org.
