Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
individually we are members
one of another. We have gifts
that differ according to the
grace given to us: prophecy,
in proportion to faith; ministry,
in ministering; the teacher,
in teaching; the exhorter,
in exhortation; the giver, in
generosity; the leader, in
diligence; the compassionate,
in cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine; hate what
is evil, hold fast to what is good;
love one another with mutual
affection; outdo one another in
showing honour. Do not lag in
zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve
the Lord.
Romans 12:1-11 (NRSV)
7 In this passage are three important
motivations for the work which is
presented here.
“Be transformed”
8 First, we hear the bold instruction to
God’s people: “Be transformed by the
renewing of your minds, so that you
may discern what is the will of God
– what is good and acceptable and
perfect.”
9 This injunction reminds us of our
fundamental calling as Christians
to be transformed and transforming
disciples. We are called to be life-long
learners, life-long followers of Jesus,
growing in confidence, and growing
in Christian character and virtue. We
are called to be hospitable, gracious
and reflective disciples, fired by our
knowledge and love of God, crossing
boundaries, stepping into the new,
engaging boldly with the world as it is
now, challenging injustice, led by the
Holy Spirit to be authentic bearers
of the gospel in our families and
communities.
10 This emphasis on transformation
through renewal and growth reminds
us of John Wesley’s zeal for the
transforming power of knowledge in
all its forms. Wesley was clear about
his priorities – “I would throw away
all libraries rather than be guilty of
the loss of one soul” – but he saw
no conflict between learning and
missionary activity. Indeed, he saw
them as complementary, as his mix of
evangelistic and educational activities
at the London Foundery, at the Orphan
House in Newcastle and at Kingswood
School bear witness. Wesley also
clearly identified the importance of
the education and development of his
preachers, and dedicated much of his
own energy to ensuring that preachers
were “more holy and more knowing.”
11 This emphasis is not merely historic.
In recent years we have reminded
ourselves about the importance of
this transformed and transforming
discipleship. “The ministry of the
people of God in the world is both the
primary and the normative ministry
of the Church... This ministry in
the wider world, outside explicitly
ecclesiastical contexts, and away
from church premises, is expressed
in Christ-like living, in social action
Conference Agenda 2012 647