The Hope of Glory
As the North Carolina Conference of the Global Methodist Church, our mission is to make the life of discipleship normative through worship, word, and witness, so that we make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
As General Conference wrapped up earlier this month, I cannot help but think about the blessings we share in this movement called the Global Methodist Church. I will share just a few here so that we can rejoice in being a part of this Spirit led movement in our day.
Colossians 1:27-28 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Making known the riches: Through the Global Methodist Church, God is making known how great “are the riches of the glory” that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is alive and taking root globally. We hold a hope of glory that Jesus Christ is alive and active in ways and places far beyond our imagination.
Local Application: We are striving in North Carolina to live as disciples who worship the Lord in fullness, growing in relationship with God through Jesus Christ and filled with the Spirit. Him in us is the hope of glory. Let’s live in and encourage one another in worship and awe of our God who is over all the Church. We are His.
Him we proclaim: The Gospel message is true and affirmed at General Conference. We affirmed a unified Articles of Faith. This document adopted overwhelmingly will “prescribe the normative doctrinal standards of the Global Methodist Church.” We agree that these are “affirmed by Scripture and shall be taught in our churches…” We know what we believe about our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We also affirm what we believe, and will preach, teach, guard and defend about the word of God: “Scripture is true in all it affirms and entirely trustworthy and the only infallible rule of faith and practice.”
Local Application: The NC mission directs us to be disciples who are shaped by the scriptures. Let’s study the word of God, not just for information and inspiration but for application and transformation!
Teaching to compel maturity in Christ: How we live out what we believe in the GMC matters. We affirmed our General Rules in a contemporary expression. As Methodists in the world today, we are accountable disciples and we also believe as John Wesley taught: there is no holiness but social holiness. Among the beauty of our Social Witness we voted to approve language to “Protect the Unborn and the Mother.” We believe in the sanctity of human life.
Local Application: As disciples of Jesus Christ, how we live in this world and speak our values gives a witness to those around us. Every disciple has a testimony that points others to a relationship with and life in Jesus Christ.
North Carolina Global Methodists, we are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe. Let’s be on mission!
Worship the Lord.
Study the word.
Be a witness of the gospel.
Make Disciples.
Spread scriptural holiness.
This is our calling. This is our mission.
In Christ,
Rev. Kari Howard
NC Conference Superintendent