Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
and skills, developing the ability to
perform tasks; these are held within
a cycle of reflection which continually
links what is being learned with the
great story of salvation. Learning in
this context is a means of growth
in grace and holiness. Discipleship
is rooted in the warmed heart, but
in the ‘heart’ understood in its
classical and biblical sense as the
seat of will and conviction, not mere
‘feeling’ (emotion). Both Christian
living and effective mission require
feeling, thinking and doing to inform
one another in openness to the
Holy Spirit. In the words of John
Wesley, “God works; therefore you
can work… God works; therefore you
must work… You can do something,
through Christ strengthening you.
Stir up the spark of grace which is
now in you, and he will give you more
grace.” 7
19 This report continues that
commitment, found in the scriptures
and our tradition; that a key
responsibility of the Church is to
form and equip all those who share
in the ministry of God within the life
of the Church to be effective leaders,
servants and partners in God’s
mission.
“Be ardent in spirit”
20 The passage from Romans 12 is
unambiguous about the urgency of
our high calling: “Do not lag in zeal,
be ardent in spirit, serve the
Lord.”
21 As a Church we have expressed our
desire to be a more effective vessel
for use by a missionary God, and our
readiness to make difficult decisions
to ensure that our focus matches our
zeal. “The sharp challenge before
us now is the extent to which we are
willing to continue to reshape our life
together in faithful obedience to God
– locally, in Circuits, Districts, regions,
and in terms of the whole Connexion
– for the sake of the world... There
is always a fertile period for making
hard choices which must not be
missed, a finite season in which the
varied resources and energy needed
to implement necessary decisions
are available. Sadly what often
happens in organisations, including
Churches, is that decisions are not
made at the point when resources
and energy are sufficient to enact
them, but are then made, usually
reluctantly and as a last resort, when
the required resources and energy
to implement them are no longer
available. Thankfully we are not yet in
that deadly and disillusioning place,
but... the fertile season when we are
able to properly implement the kind
of decisions we need to make is fast
coming to an end.” 8
22 This report is written mindful of the
ways in which Circuits and Districts
have reflected on their own life and
7
Stirring up the Spark of Grace: Connexional Training Strategies, Agenda 2008, 1.1
8
Contemporary Methodism: a discipleship movement shaped for mission [The General Secretary’s Report],
Agenda 2011, 12 and 14
650 Conference Agenda 2012