Mission Central Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Bishop Neil L. Irons shares the history, ministry, and vision of Mission Central, the mission warehouse of the Susquehanna Conference, The United Methodist Church.

U.M. General Conference 2012- A Time of Discernment

The Bishop, our communications director, and several other coworkers returned this weekend from two weeks at the United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida. The General Conference calls together delegates from all of the United Methodist conferences all around the world to discuss important denominational issues. 


The biggest change is that clergy appointments will no longer be guaranteed. "Guaranteed appointments are a major contributing factor to mediocrity and ineffectiveness, the ministry study commission told the United Methodist Council of Bishops at its recent spring meeting," wrote Heather Hahn of the United Methodist News Service. This concerns some pastors who feel they could quickly be dismissed if not viewed as effective clergy members.


"The Rev. Jim Bryan, senior pastor of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, Mo., and a former district superintendent, said sometimes the most gracious and loving thing is for church leaders to help ineffective pastors find their true calling outside pastoral ministry," wrote Hahn.


Other issues discussed at the Annual Conference often had a fair amount of dissenting views. Part of the beauty of the United Methodist Church is that we gather together 988 international lay and clergy delegates to decide on a direction for the future of our denomination.  Much of the fodder on Twitter circled around the feeling of under-representation. While this may be true, we still should feel blessed that we are given the opportunity to peacefully convene together, rather than being locked out of a room with a handful of people making key choices for the future of the church.


May we remember to pray for these leaders as they have the difficult task to listen to God's people and prayerfully discern God's will amid many complex issues.

Love is...

What is the first scripture that comes to mind for the word "love?" Most people automatically think of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.  Though, sometimes it is so overused that we tune out. 


The world has many different definitions of love. Yet, only one book holds love's true meaning.


Today I would like to break down this meaningful scripture.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
New International Version (NIV)

4 Love is:


patient, love is kind.- Patience. I know I will need to lean on God for patience as I enter into married life. It will be an adjustment to live with someone else who does things differently than I do. Yet, I will need to rely on God to remind me that different is not bad. It is just...different.

It does not envy, it does not boast-This scripture is a great equalizer. My love must not weigh one person's pit falls as greater than another, at the same time my love must not brag that one person's successes are greater than another.


 it is not proud.- We can achieve nothing on our own, so we must not fervently pat each other on the back for our successes. Instead it should be a moment to come to our knees and thank God for His provision and blessings.

5 It does not dishonor others,- It is easy to fall into the trap of making ourselves (and our loved ones) look better by pointing the finger at someone else. It is very difficult to love not only those who love us, but those who hurl insults at us. We love them by not returning the degradation, but turning the other cheek in silence.

 it is not self-seeking,- This reminds me of integration. When school's began to mix ethnicities, the parents of the affluent children increased support and funding for the schools because they wanted their child to have the best, not because they suddenly felt compassion to the other students. It is very difficult to have a love so large that it extends beyond our own blood and friends.


it is not easily angered,- Anger alters our ability to think clearly. It is important to practice remaining calm so that we can earnestly listen to one another.

it keeps no record of wrongs.- Ay yi yi. We say we forgive, but do we really forget? True love forgives and forgets. It does not bring old wounds into existing battles as weapons. Psalm 103:12 says that the Lord has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. We need to call on his strength to follow that example of forgiveness.

 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.- Love does not wish harm on someone that "deserves it." Love prays that they may be saved by the Truth.

7 It always protects,- Love is like a caring big brother. Love stands up for what is right despite persecution and humility.

 always trusts,- Love believes in the good of people. It is not wary and skeptical.

 always hopes,- Love always believes that a person will find The Way, despite how many wrong turns that they have made.

 always perseveres.- Love lasts....forever.

Go Loud, or Go Home!

I have been part of a praise and worship team called "Soul Food" for the past year and a half. None of us consider ourselves expert musicians, yet we have a passion to worship our Lord. One of our pastors, Bob, joined the group as a novice guitarist. He played  very quietly so that we couldn't hear his mistakes. Yet, it is impossible to learn if no one can hear you and help you. Therefore, I jokingly said to PB (as we affectionately call him) "You've gotta either go loud or go home!"

We all laughed about this, and it became our motto. He even put the phrase on our Soul Food shirts. 

Yesterday, Soul Food presented a few of PB's favorite songs as a departing gift. PB will be moving to a church that is closer to his college. I hope that as he moves to his new church he won't be timid and afraid to make mistakes. If God is urging us to do something big and risky, we need to trust that He will guide us. We can't hold back for fear of failure, raised eyebrows, or mockery. As Christians, we must bodly proclaim the Word of Christ. 

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19-20)

"Do Something More Ministry"- Richfield UMC

Richfield UMC reaches out to their community.

Where do you see God?

Although I love all of the four seasons, spring is my favorite. Part of the reason I love it is because it reminds me of God's promise never to leave us. We were fortunate to have a mild winter in Pennsylvania this year. However, many winters feel unbearably long, cold, and windy. Yet, I still enjoy winter because it helps us to gain greater appreciation for the returning warm weather, green grass, and chirping birds. 

Spring truly does provide a great metaphor for hope and joy after dark and cold times. I look out at the blossoming trees and say a little prayer thank the Creator for providing such beauty. It is as if God is physically reaching out to us with the warm embrace of the sun, the gift of  wild flower 'bouquets', and the kiss of a gentle wind.

The beauty of spring is one of the places that I most clearly see God on Earth. Where do you see God in an earthly form? Feel free to post comment on my blog, or send photos with a description to my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/susxpress.

For more photo ideas check out "God's Photo Album" http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1008002.God_s_Photo_Album.

God Grants Respite and Joy, Let Us Be Thankful

Today in devotions we read about praising God even in the mundane. When God brings us out of great distress we are very thankful. Yet, eventually we forget that feeling of gratitude. The author wrote that God provides little respites for us every day.


She compared God's respite to the shade provided by a small tree while working with HOT asphalt. I could relate to this, because I have helped paving crews in summers past. She said the cooler temperature may not be much, but in that moment it is very welcome and appreciated. However, soon the paving truck moves forward and the shade disappears. Yet God's love is everlasting.


Recently I was reminded that it is not just respites but small joys that God provides for us to let us know he cares. I desired to travel abroad while I was in college. Yet, every time I had tried, it didn't work out for some reason or another. In my last semester I began to think that the dream of traveling at that time in my life, would just have to pass. Yet, God provided the opportunity for me to travel to Germany with Penn State for a conference on "Religion in the Marketplace."


One of my friends has a similar experience. She desired to travel to Alaska some day. God turned that desire into a reality. She currently is fulfilling her final physical therapy requirements for her doctorate in Alaska and staying with a loving Christian family. God did not just provide a neat place for her to finish her clinical rotation. No, he provided the exact location of her dreams.


I don't believe these are coincidences. God provides blessings for those who believe. I'd like to share lyrics from the "Child of the Promise" CD when Elizabeth receives word that she is pregnant after many years of being barren.

When the Dream Never Dies

The Lord has done this for me

He has looked on me kindly

He has heard all my cries

He has given back what I laid

at his feet

It must be God

When the dream never dies