The delegates to the special called General Conference spent the last three days doing the difficult work of discernment for the future of The United Methodist Church. In the end, the Traditional Plan passed, although many parts of the plan were ruled to be unconstitutional. This has led to much hurt for many of our brothers and sisters across the denomination, within our conference, and for many who are friends of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC). There is much grief over what has taken place, and there is much that is unknown and uncertain about the future of The United Methodist Church. Friends, we do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.
I learned some time back that Iroquois peoples live with a view that encompasses seven generations. When decisions are made, they bring with them three generations looking back and as they make the decision, they look ahead three generations. The middle generation makes seven and that is where we find ourselves today. Despite the decision made by the General Conference, the people of the OIMC will continue our ministry and service together for this generation and for many to come. I am reminded our decisions we will make about the OIMC include not just our generation, but also young people and those who are not here yet. I know we will continue with the faithfulness that our ancestors lived and shared with generations past.
As we move forward as the people of the OIMC, we will continue to offer a welcoming hospitality to everyone seeking to live life giving relationships with God and neighbor, and nurture community in which all people can thrive and live out a vibrant faith. Let us be in prayer for one another and for our future as a conference and as a people called Methodists.
