BGS Haiti Update - January 29^th

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Doing the Most Good in Haiti

The impulse to "do something" is overwhelming as images of suffering and desperation in Haiti continue to flood the news media and Internet. However, just as motorists pull over for ambulances or fire engines rushing to an emergency, those who want to do the most good stay out of the way of first responders when disaster strikes. Praying for the physical stamina, wisdom, and emotional strength of government officials, rescue workers, emergency personnel, and medical professionals—as well as those who are waiting to receive their help—is a top priority for believers. That's why hundreds of Wesleyan congregations are responding right now to the Haitian earthquake with prayer vigils and offerings that will keep spiritual and financial resources flowing to those best equipped to be "first in."

Soon, the second and third stages of disaster management will get underway—including coordinated relief efforts to prevent greater human suffering (due to thirst, malnutrition, disease, and lack of safe shelter), followed by rebuilding projects that will undoubtedly take years of commitment. The Wesleyan Church has a long history of effective ministry and relationships in Haiti as a solid foundation for future recovery efforts. Global Partners, the denomination's official missionary sending and support agency, is currently assessing next steps and positioning church resources for greatest impact. In addition, church leaders are networking with World Hope International (WHI is our primary disaster response partner) and sister denominations to plan cooperative strategies.

Individual Wesleyans, local churches, and districts can do the most good for Haiti by keeping several important facts in mind.

1. Intercession is always the Church's first and most important tool. Physical disasters have a spiritual dimension that will only respond to prayer and faith. Souls, as well as lives, are at stake. Haiti will need intense prayer for many weeks and months to come.
2. Give only to well-known, trusted partners. Scam artists and criminals are not above taking advantage of human suffering to pursue their own greed. Be sure you know where your money is going. Wesleyans are urged to concentrate their giving to do the most good by supporting the Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund (www.wesleyan.org) or World Hope International (www.worldhope.org).
3. Allow time for appropriate assessments to be made. "Lone rangers" often do more harm than good. Volunteers rushing to disaster sites on their own to pursue their pet projects are a burden to local people, missionaries, or other on-site personnel, who may struggle to meet their own needs while being expected to provide hospitality, translation, transportation, time, attention, and resources for well-meaning strangers. Volunteering on-site requires preparation, insurance, emergency evacuation plans, and supply lines. Places to stay are very limited. Resources may be scarce. More urgently needed personnel may be hindered in their work. So, wait for Global Partners or World Hope International to communicate relief and rebuilding priorities based on professional assessments and consultations with Haitian church and community leaders. Be humble enough to take your lead from others. Then, concentrate volunteers and support on projects that they say deserve priority attention. Work teams and volunteers should only visit Wesleyan churches and ministry personnel in Haiti in coordination with Global Partners or as approved WHI Hope Corps participants.
4. Love for the long haul. The need in Haiti will be great for years to come. The most good you can do might be soon or down the road. In either case, pray with conviction and give with compassion. Long after cameras and reporters leave, Wesleyans will still be on the ground helping Haitian believers and leaders rebuild their lives and communities—spreading hope and holiness as we do.

Doctrinal Symposium

June 4-5, 2010

Wesleyan Perspectives on Human Nature: Perfect, Flawed, and Redeemed

Viewed from the perspective of creation, carnality, and consecration, what was human nature intended to be, what happened to this ideal, and can people be transformed—spiritually, psychologically, sexually and socially?

Doctrinal Symposia are sponsored annually by the Board of General Superintendents of The Wesleyan Church to provide a forum in which open investigation and discussion can occur among scholars, practitioners and leaders of the Church to achieve a clearer understanding and refinement of our doctrinal statements and to inspire the practice of holy living among our people.

This symposium will be held June 4-5, 2010, at the World Headquarters of The Wesleyan Church, 13300 Olio Road, Fishers, Indiana.

Visit the Doctrinal Symposium page for more information.

State of the Church

(General Superintendent, Dr. Jerry Pence, delivered the State of the Church address to the General Board during its May 2009 session. The introduction included the following—)

Less than 50 years after the founding of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America (the world’s first “Wesleyan” denomination), its bishops sounded the alarm about a declining urgency among ministers and member for entire sanctification—the biblical ideal of a life of perfect love, initiated here and now by faith in God’s grace, and made possible by our baptism with the Holy Spirit, whose power cleanses us from the leaning toward sin with which we were born and enables us to obey God more completely. In their version of a State of the Church address in 1832, they wrote:

Some of the bishops began attending lay-led prayer meetings in New York City, called the “Tuesday Meetings for the Promotion of Holiness.” They were challenged to do three things: (1) make an entire consecration of their lives to God; (2) exercise faith in the Lord to set them free from the habit of sinning; and (3) tell others about the cleansing, empowering work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Along with many others, they entered into a deeper relationship with God.

Download PDF to read more

Roles of the Board of General Superintendents

As servant leaders, the role of General Superintendent is to equip and empower local churches and districts to fulfill the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.

To accomplish this, The Board of General Superintendents:

• Provides spiritual and administrative leadership for The Wesleyan Church in all of its missions and ministries.
• Gives counsel to the worldwide work of The Wesleyan Church by serving on the International Board of The Wesleyan Church and by giving oversight to mission fields and national conferences in coordination with Global Partners, department of World Missions.
• Provides consultation to general Church offices, departments, and District Superintendents in their service to local churches.
• Gives counsel to district units which appoint pastors and ministers, and plan programs and ministries serving the local churches.
• Joins the districts in ordaining ministers who will serve as pastors, staff members, and evangelists of local churches.
• Provides, upon request, personal ministry to local churches and districts through consultation services, or by offering training clinics, retreats, and workshops.
• Speaks for revival services, Bible conferences, church dedications, ministerial gatherings, and other services, seeking to encourage and equip the local church for ministry.