State of the Church Reflects Call for Renewal

General Superintendent Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents, delivered the State of the Church address to the General Board of The Wesleyan Church in session May 4, 2010. This address contains a review of our journey to the present and a challenge for the future.

Click here to read highlights of the historic May 4-5 General Board session.

As we look at our culture and Church today, we are aware we need a renewal—a cutting through of the Holy Spirit. In a recent pastors’ forum a participant stated, “My great goal and hope for The Wesleyan Church will be the spark for a Third Great Awakening.”...The Wesleyan Churches of North America are reaching and impacting their local communities, as well as responding to the immediate needs of the world. In addition, the desire to experience the movement of God in new ways evidences their growing commitment to Christ and His Church.

The complete text can be accessed by clicking here. (Please note that pages 3 and 4 are inserted into the document and provide an overview of the work of the departments of the General Church.)

Together Stronger - The Gathering

Click here to go to the official website of The Gathering 2011.

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.

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.

Give Us A Church [PPT]

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