Bishop Ward steps out of appointment making to discuss what “appointment” means to The United Methodist Church. Watch above or read the transcript below.
Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed! Easter joy to each of you today. I’ve stepped out of the appointive session of the Cabinet to speak with you for a few moments. We are doing the work given to us by the church.
The word “appoint,” is a good, strong, biblical word. Paul uses it himself when he speaks of his conversion, the light of Christ appearing to him on the road of Damacus. And the word of God, the very voice of God appointing him as an apostle, bearing the good news of Jesus Christ to all the world.
Later, in the letter to Titus, Paul says to Titus, “I send you to Crete so that you may appoint the elders there.”
To be appointed is to be sent for a particular work, among a particular people, in a particular place. We continue to use this good word. Each of us, among the baptized, are appointed. We are appointed to do God’s work in the place in which we find ourselves.
I invite your prayers for the Cabinet, and for me, as we do this unique work this week, following the polity of our church. This work ensures that there is a clergy leader in every place, in each of the over 800 congregations of United Methodist people in Eastern North Carolina.
We appoint clergy to their places of work. God appoints congregations to their particular ministry. May you be upheld in your work, in your share of Christ’s ministry on this day, so soon after resurrection joy and light.
May the life of Christ be alive in you, and in your congregation, day by day.