During General Conference 2016, we are going to feature delegate stories from our NC Conference delegates, so you can learn more about them and the committees they will be serving.
Here are the questions we asked:
- Tell us about how you came to know Jesus.
- Tell us about your committee.
- What do you feel is important for the NC Conference to know about your committee/role at GC?
- How does this affect the people in the pews?
Today, we have Duncan McMillan and Tim Russell sharing their stories.
Duncan McMillan
I was born the child of a Methodist minister and an elementary school teacher. I’ve been an inquisitive Wesleyan my whole life. I came to know Jesus as young boy on Sundays in church and Sunday School. That relationship was nurtured through our wonderful youth ministry on the conference level. I took every opportunity I was given to grow with Christ; I took every chance given to me. I’ve been blessed to serve this conference and continue to grow. I look forward to continue serving Jesus Christ and this wonderful conference and church.
I serve on the Higher Education and Superintendency committee. We will have the largest amount of petitions of any legislative committee at this year’s General Conference. We will have to be extremely diligent with the time allotted to be in prayer, as we consider so may petitions covering almost 200 paragraphs within the Book of Discipline.
I’ve also had the pleasure of serving as the Rules Committee chair for the General Conference for the past four years. I believe and hope this opportunity of leadership has given our conference a chance to shine and show its significance in its role in the global church. My role as chair is also a reflection of the great leadership amongst lay and clergy in our conference who have helped shape me and our entire delegation.
Since General Conference is the highest legislative body in the church and the only official body that can make a statement on behalf of all of Methodism, the actions of General Conference affect the people in the pew in countless ways. Whether it is the creation of a new conference for mission outreach, statements on church polity or the adoption of our operating budget, each petition and action has effects on the whole church. Because of that, I ask you all to continue to pray for our delegation, our conference and church.
Tim Russell
I grew up in the Methodist church as a child, then drifted away from church when we moved to Florida while I was in high school. I did not attend church for many years. When I was in community college and working at a grocery store, a co-worker shared Christ with me in a way that made sense to me for the first time. I went home that night and literally knelt beside my bed where I received Christ as my Savior.
After serving as a missionary in Oklahoma City for a few years following college, I moved to North Carolina to attend seminary. I met the woman who became my wife and we began attending Wilson Temple United Methodist Church when I had a field education placement at the church. We have been United Methodists ever since.
I am serving on the Ministry and Higher Education/Superintendency Committee. This committee deals with the candidacy and ordination process, the complaint process and the ministry of superintendency. These are all issues I deal with on a regular basis. My experience in my seven years in my current role has prepared me well for working with this committee.
The work of this committee affects people in the pews because it involves the process of how their pastors are called, trained, educated and supervised.