Love Over Law: The United Methodist Church's Path Forward through General Conference. A Conversation with Rev. Larry Whitehead. Part 3 of a 4 Part Series of Episode Preparing for General Conference 2024

Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.

Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad MIller.

Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.”

To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.

https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/

In Episode 102 of To Be Encouraged Bishop Julius C. Trimble and Rev. Dr. Brad Miller engages in a profound conversation with, Rev. Larry Whitehead who serves as Exective Assistant to Bishop Trimble and is a delegate to General Conference.

. Here are three key takeaways from their discussion about the state of the church, its challenges, and the hopeful path forward:

1. **The Call for Grace-Driven Culture**

Bishop Trimble highlights the pressing need for a grace-driven church culture. In a time when division within the church is causing many, including Rev. Miller's sons, to drift away, Bishop Trimble underscores the importance of making room for diverse opinions and demonstrating love and unity. This approach aims to foster a welcoming environment where individuals feel included and respected despite disagreements. The conversation reminds us that the essence of the church is not found in uniformity but in the gracious acceptance of one another, as witnessed in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

2. **Discipleship Over Decisions**

Rev. Miller and Rev. Whitehead emphasize discipleship's critical role, suggesting a shift away from fixating on the outcomes of general conference decisions. Rather, they advocate for concentrating on living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in our communities. By focusing on making disciples who embody Christ's love and service, the church can redirect its energy from institutional preservation to fulfilling its mission. Their insights echo Trimble's conviction that the church's resilience is not rooted in its structures but in its ability to serve and grow disciples of Jesus Christ, even as it faces changes and challenges.

3. **Optimism in Action**

Throughout the episode, Bishop Trimble and Rev. Whitehead share their optimistic outlook for the church's future, especially in light of the ongoing transformations within the United Methodist Church in Indiana. Mentioned are the proactive steps taken toward inclusivity and service, such as supporting education through scholarships at Africa University, the birth of new congregations, and the repurposing of church spaces like the Milford Meeting House to serve community needs. These examples illustrate a pivot from a survival mentality to one of proactive witness and service, demonstrating the church's potential to make a transformative impact on individuals and communities.

The conversation concludes with a message of hope and encouragement, underscoring the guests' belief in the church's enduring faith despite the postponement of the general conference. Rev. Whitehead's personal faith story and his ongoing commitment to connectual ministry serve as a testament to the power of grace and discipleship in action, values that both he and Bishop Trimble implore listeners to uphold.

Episode 102 of To Be Encouraged was Part 3 of a 4 Part Series os Episodes in Preparation for General Conference 2024 coming up April 25-May 3, 2-24.

Please tune into the rest of the General Conference Series.

Part 1. Episode 100: was a conversation with General Conference Delegate Rev. Russ Abel.

Part 2. Episode 101: was a conversation with General Conference Delegate Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright

Part 4. Episode 103: Upcoming in our next episode is a “Town Hall Conversation” all about General Conference. This is a replay of a “Town Hall” zoom call Bishop Trimble had with a number of persons interested and engaged in the impact and importance of General Conference. Recorded Live on April 2, 2024

LINKS:

Indiana Conference UMC.

UMC-http://inumc.org/

General Conference UMC.

UMC-https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/structure/general-conference

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/general-conference-2020