(Dr. Jeremy Pridgeon) -
Bishop Leeland and members of the Cabinet met in a regularly scheduled session recently in Montgomery. For the 2015-2016 conference year, the Cabinet is working with Spiritual Leadership, Inc. (SLI), engaging in a process of Loving, Learning, and Leading (L3) as it relates to guiding the mission and ministry of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference.
In the initial stages, the Cabinet is developing a covenant that will outline the ways we relate to and work with one another, while committing to an intentional process of study and learning, even while we uphold and support one another through prayer and other expressions of care. Additionally, significant amounts of time are being devoted to understanding the "lay of the land" in the respective areas of the conference in order that our Conference Ministry Action Plan (MAP) can be updated to reflect the current realities we face as an annual conference in carrying out our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The initial MAP was developed in concert with SLI in 2009, making it appropriate to review at this time. More importantly the revised MAP will help to set the trajectory for ministry in the years to come.
The Cabinet celebrates the many good things taking place throughout the conference, thanks to the blessings of God, through the faithful service of the laity and pastors of our churches. "Glory Sightings" at noted at each gathering, as superintendents shared the ways congregations are making an impact in their communities.
Dr. Cory Smith, Director of Connectional Ministries for the conference, reported on the ministries of the annual conference, made possible because of our connection with one another. The financial support of our connection continues to improve, year over year, enabling us to touch the hearts and lives of those who live in the bounds of the Alabama-West Florida Conference and beyond. "Thank you!" for your commitment to this covenant we share as United Methodists.
The 2015-16 conference year will be filled with many important events that will impact the Alabama-West Florida Conference. While there will be much that is reported in the news, and it will be important to stay aware of the happenings of the General Conference, the most significant work we can do to impact the Kingdom will be in the respective areas we serve. In the spirit of John Wesley, then, commit yourself to "Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." May God continue to bless the work of the churches of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church!
