Navigating Unity and Diversity at General Conference with Rev. Russ Abel: Part 1 of a 4 Part Series about General Conference

Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.

Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller.

Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.”

To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.

https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/

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Welcome to the 100th episode of "To Be Encouraged," where we explore faith, hope, and the future of the United Methodist Church in today's world. In this episode, our host, Bishop Julius C. Trimble and Rev. Dr. Brad Miller welcome Rev. Russ Abel to discuss the upcoming 2024 General Conference, its challenges, and its promise for the renewal of the church's mission.

*Three Key Takeaways from Episode 100:

**1. Emphasis on Discipleship and Unity:**

Bishop Julius C. Trimble and Rev. Russ Abel strongly emphasize discipleship and unity in the church's mission. They highlight the importance of ministry across social divides and the need to connect the work of the church to the lived experiences of its members. Abel urges a focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, avoiding distractions by administrative tasks. The discussion underlines the significance of moving forward with unity and diversity to advance the cause of Christ, especially amid present challenges such as schism and disaffiliation.

**2. Acknowledging Setbacks and Looking Forward with Hope:**

Bishop Trimble reflects on the adverse outcomes of the 2019 general conference but retains a hopeful outlook for a positive 2024 General Conference experience. He notes the resilience of the church through the pandemic and racial reckoning, which has led to new ministries and beginnings. Trimble and Abel encourage a shift from focusing on loss to celebrating the continuous work of God in their communities. Abel praises the faithfulness of local church communities, drawing encouragement from their dedication to serving God through adversity.

**3. The Impact of Legislation and Responsibility in Shaping Narratives:**

The episode addresses the complexity of legislation presented at general conferences, with references to the summary from Discipleship Ministries in 2020. Various topics, such as regionalization, the revision of social principles, and removal of harmful language, are discussed as key legislative issues. Trimble highlights potential changes in budget proposals and reshaping of ministry, emphasizing their impact on local churches. Abel explains his role as the head of the delegation, stressing the importance of effective communication and coordination. The speakers concurred on the importance of shaping the narrative of the General Conference to positively impact local congregations.

Join us in prayer and gratitude with Bishop Trimble as we conclude this momentous episode. We look forward to continuing the journey together, being encouraged by faith, and sustaining the hope for a more inclusive and Christ-centered church.

**Next Time on To Be Encouraged:**

Episode 100 of To Be Encouraged is Part 1 of a 4 Part Series in Preparation for General Conference. Upcoming Episodes in the General Conference Series include:

Part 2. Episode 101: An Interview with Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright a delegate to General Conference from the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Part 3. Episode 102: An Interview with Rev. Larry Whitehead, a delegate to General Conference from the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Part 4. Episode 103: Town Hall Conversation. A reply of a “Town Hall” zoom call Bishop Trimble had with a number of persons interested and engaged in the impact and importance of General Conference. Recorded Live on April 2, 2024

LINKS:

Indiana Conference UMC.

UMC-http://inumc.org/

Northeast District - Indiana Conference UMC

https://www.inumc.org/districts/northeast-district/

General Conference UMC.

UMC-https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/structure/general-conference

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/general-conference-2020