As we enter annual conference season, Bishop David Bard reminds us of the value of conferencing and why the quality of our dialogue at such meetings is to be seasoned with grace.
BISHOP DAVID ALAN BARD
Michigan Conference
For us Michigan United Methodists, May brings with it the gathering of our annual conference. In my four-stop listening tour this past fall and winter, I discussed how confusing the term “annual conference” can be. In United Methodism, an annual conference may refer to an organization — structure and staff, including the assigned bishop and the bishop’s cabinet. An annual conference may also refer to a geographic region and all the United Methodist people, both lay and clergy, and churches in that area. Finally, annual conference is a meeting, the annual gathering of clergy and elected lay members from our congregations, for the purpose of connecting, celebrating, inspiring, recognizing, learning, and caring for business. In Michigan, this occurs in May, and we will begin our meeting this year on Friday, May 30. You can find the schedule and more details on the website.
The differing meanings of “annual conference” are related to one another. As we gather later this month, we will make decisions that support and provide direction for our conference staff and structure, as well as decisions about budgets, benefits, and values. The input of all the members of annual conference matters, and the purpose of the annual conference as an organization is to enhance the vibrancy and vitality of our local churches and other places of ministry. In those places, the church’s mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is primarily carried out. And so we gather to pray, worship, connect, celebrate, and conduct business. There is joy as we greet old friends and make new ones. There are deeply moving moments when we are touched profoundly by God’s Spirit, and we don’t know ahead of time when such moments may occur. We gather.
The language of “conference” can be traced back to the founder of the Methodist stream of the Christian tradition, John Wesley. In his writings about conference, contained in the volumes of “Minutes of Several Conversations between the Rev. Mr. John and Charles Wesley, and others,” we get a sense of the profound hope this gathering contains for Methodism. Wesley says: “It is desired that all things be considered as in the immediate presence of God. That we may meet with a single eye, and as little children who have everything to learn. That every point which is proposed may be examined to the foundation. That every person may speak freely whatever is in his heart, and that every question which may arise should be thoroughly debated and settled” (The Works of John Wesley, v. 10, p. 844). Wesley held high aspirations for conferencing and considered Christian conference a means of grace.
Wesley also proposed a high ideal of the quality of dialogue for Christian conference. “Are we convinced how important and how difficult it is to order our conversation right? Is it always in grace? Seasoned with salt? Meet to minister grace to the hearers?” (pp. 856-857).
It is my hope and prayer that we will arrive at annual conference with aspirations that this will be a means of grace. It is my hope and prayer that we will arrive at annual conference ready to order our conversation right, to be people through whom the grace of God flows freely, even when there may be disagreements.
The theme of our gathering is “Unfinished: Growing Up and Into Christ.” Our journey as people of faith and as communities of faith continues. In the days leading up to annual conference, please be in prayer for this gathering. For those of you attending, I look forward to seeing you there.
Last Updated on May 13, 2025