Great Leadership

There are twelve legislative committees at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, and yesterday they began their work. Last night I received word that two of my good friends have been selected to serve as chairpersons. My good friend Rev. Dr. Bill Allen was elected the chairperson of the “Conferences” Committee which handles legislation dealing with the connectional matters of the church. Bill and I were classmates in Asbury Seminary’s Beeson Pastor Doctoral Program in 2005-2006. He and his wife Kristen and family were our next door neighbors during our year of residency in Wilmore. My friend and colleague Rev. Robin Wilson was elected to serve as chair of the Discipleship Committee. You can only imagine how critical this committee is when you consider the fact that the United Methodist mission statement is “To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.” Robin and her husband Jeff are good friends of ours and will soon be our neighbors as we return to Mobile where they serve as Co-Pastors of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church. I also received word that another friend and mentor Rev. Dr. Lawson Bryan will be chairing one of the three sub-committees of the Financial Administration Committee. Lawson is our episcopal candidate and Senior Pastor of First UMC in Montgomery. I have served on the Academy for Congregational Excellence Board with him and have seen first hand his tremendous ability to lead.

The reason for all this shameless name dropping is that I am so grateful for the GREAT LEADERSHIP that these elections represent. If their elections are any indication of the quality of leadership on all our committees, I know we are in good hands. All three of these friends are sharp, fair, and outstanding in their leadership. I’m so glad that their talent was recognized by the other delegates serving with them on their committees. Give thanks to God for these and the others elected. Pray for God’s wisdom and favor to be upon them.