We are the Mountain Sky Area:
Rocky Mountain & Yellowstone Conferences
Charge/Church Conference 2015
Jesus Leads Us into Abundant Life
Welcome and Prayer
Opening Song
District Superintendent or Presiding Elder
(suggested choices)
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness FWS 2152
Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service UMH 581
Litany for Holy Conferencing
Leader: God of grace and new beginnings, open our hearts to your transforming spirit.
People: Help us to trust your promise of blessing, for all your children, and for all creation.
Leader: Grant us the faith and courage to be your witnesses in our community and your world.
People: Work in us and through us to bring abundant life to people in our neighborhood
and every place.
All:
In the name of that one who is the way, the truth, the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
God’s servant described
42 But here is my servant, the one I uphold;
my chosen, who brings me delight.
I’ve put my spirit upon him;
he will bring justice to the nations.
2
He won’t cry out or shout aloud
or make his voice heard in public.
3
He won’t break a bruised reed;
he won’t extinguish a faint wick,
but he will surely bring justice.
4
He won’t be extinguished or broken
until he has established justice in the land.
The coastlands await his teaching.
5
God the LORD says —
the one who created the heavens,
the one who stretched them out,
the one who spread out the earth
and its offspring,
the one who gave breath to its people
and life to those who walk on it —
Isaiah 42:1–9 (CEB or other)
6
I, the LORD, have called you for a good reason.
I will grasp your hand and guard you,
and give you as a covenant to the people,
as a light to the nations,
7
to open blind eyes, to lead the prisoners
from prison,
and those who sit in darkness
from the dungeon.
8
I am the LORD;
that is my name;
I don’t hand out my glory to others
or my praise to idols.
9
The things announced in the past — look —
they’ve already happened,
but I’m declaring new things.
Before they even appear,
I tell you about them.
Sharing from District Superintendent / Presiding Elder
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Holy Conferencing Time
(Please share in small groups as you discuss the following)
1. What is the difference between belonging to a church
and being a disciple for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?
2. How are people invited into abundant life and discipleship through your church?
3. What would you do to help your church bring abundant life to your community?
4. Where is God calling you to risk, serve, and share?
Silent Prayer
Jesus the Christ calls us to a life of abundance as we live and serve in his example and name.
May we lift our voices together in the prayer that Jesus taught us, saying:
The Lord’s Prayer
DVD on Mountain Sky Area Shared Futures
We receive an Offering, giving of ourselves that others, may live an abundant life
Together, United Methodists do remarkable ministry around the world. We care for survivors recovering
from earthquakes and storms; we invest, long term, in vulnerable communities; we implement the most
effective solutions to diseases like malaria; we equip the next generation to lead the church and society. In
all of this, we share the good news of Jesus Christ.
(umcgiving.org)
Church Business
Pastor:
 You are responsible for providing the agenda for the business portion meeting and to
send to the D.S. (or presiding elder) by one week prior to your Charge Conference.
 We encourage you to lift up celebration of the past year’s ministries and consideration of your
church’s vision for the future, with minimal time on formal reports.
 Copies of written ministry summaries/reports, when prepared, are to be provided to your
Administrative Council/Board and District Superintendent.
 Please include your continuing formation and spiritual growth plan with your Pastor’s Report.
We must receive official votes on these items:
* Pastor’s Compensation * Lay Leadership Nominations * Membership Roll Updates
* Candidates for Ministry (new or continuing – 2/3 written ballot required)
Closing Song
You Are the Seed UMH 583
Benediction
yacumc.org
District Superintendent or Presiding Elder
umc.org
umcgiving.org
umcor.org