So Glad We Start With Worship!

General Conference opened, as it should, with worship. The worship planning team has literally spent years preparing these worship services, and they are spectacular. Today's service was notable for its emphasis on both the blessing of diversity in our denomination, and the need for unity.

Although familiar hymns were sung, multiple languages were represented.

Worship included Holy Communion, which was offered by our Bishops.

I had the opportunity to receive Communion from Bishop Ben Chamness (retired),
who ordained me in 2005.

With so many different countries represented at GC, it is necessary to have a large number of translators. They have a special "soundproof" section of the Convention Center. And they have an extremely challenging job!

Following worship, we had a session on Christian Conferencing. The emphasis here is on seeking peace. Where we disagree, we are urged to come together to seek, not necessarily agreement, but the path that leads to peace.

We were reminded of John Wesley's own words:

Are you convinced how important and how difficult it is to 'order our conversation right?' Is it 'always in grace? seasoned with salt? meet to minister grace to the hearers?' Do not you converse too long at a time? Is not an hour commonly enough? Would it not be well always to have a determinate end in view, and to pray before and after it?

For our denomination, this is easier said than done. But it is good and fitting to be urged to remember these words as we begin.