The BishopBlog is closing temporarily. In about four weeks, we will relaunch the blog with a whole new design, and significantly expanded in scope.

We want this blog to be a focal point for United Brethren discussion and thought. The new version will be designed to actively engage readers. You.

I'll let you know when we reopen for business.

I’m just finishing the book Band of Brothers, by Stephen Ambrose, which Pat Jones told me about. It is about a group of soldiers in World War 2 who were led by Dick Winters, who was a tremendous leader. They were sent to the front lines, the first to go in, and they lost people. But they had a mission. They were a "band of brothers" because they had this mission. They weren't a family--families don't necessarily have a mission. But these were soldiers with a mission--to take an objective and win the war. I find that fascinating.

Isn’t that exactly what the Lord told us to do? We talk about being the family of God and get all gushy about it. But we are the army of the Lord. William Booth knew that; it's why he called his organization the Salvation Army. If we had the same kind of desire to accomplish at all costs the mission that our leader has given us, I think our churches would look different. I would look different.

Here in the national office, we’re excited about the upcoming arrival of Jeff Bleijerveld as the new Director of Global Ministries. He’s a quality guy who will fit right in. I’ll enjoy watching him take our missions program to the next level…whatever that is. Jeff starts on March 3.

Tomorrow, the office staff will hold a farewell luncheon for Gary Dilley, who served as Global Ministries director from August 2001 until January of this year. Because of a prior commitment, I’ll miss that luncheon. Pat Jones has offered to eat my pizza for me, and he's welcome to it. But since I’ll be gone, I thought I’d use this space to say some words about Gary, who has been a beloved friend, in addition to a coworker.

The 1990s were a time of unprecedented expansion in our worldwide ministry. In 1993, Ray Seilhamer was elected bishop and Kyle McQuillen was elected as Director of Missions, and they both served until 2001. At that time, we had churches in eight countries, and had opened only one new field per decade—Nicaragua in the 1960s, India in the 1970s, and Macau in 1987.

But from 1993-2001, the number of fields nearly doubled:

• 1993: Thailand
• 1995: Costa Rica
• 1997: Mexico
• 1998: Myanmar
• 1999: El Salvador
• 2000: Haiti
• 2000: Guatemala

For a long time I have tried to read a lot of good books. It must have been from my years in book publishing. Anyway, 2007 was no exception for me. Here are several book I read in 2007, and which I recommend. The links take you to the Amazon store entry for that book. However, you can order any of these from the UB bookstore by calling 888.622.3019 and asking for Marilyn.

A couple days ago, in Part 1, I discussed my dismay over the many churches that are disobedient to the Great Commission. Now I'd like to tackle a second issue that has concerned me as I interact with our churches.

2. The amount of conflict that exists in so many of our churches.

There are people in conflict with the pastor, pastors in conflict with the people, and people in conflict with other people in the church. Dealing with conflict in churches is without a doubt the most tiring part of this job. I’ve come to the conclusion that these two issues are related. Let me put it this way: if you aren’t going to fish, you will probably fight and may ultimately flee.

Wow, 2008 already. I have been reflecting over the past two years of my term as bishop. People often ask me if I enjoy what I do. I usually laugh and tell them I am not sure this job is supposed to be enjoyed. That is, however, not altogether true. I then explain that some aspects of my work are very enjoyable. They have included:

• Opportunity to ordain a pastor.
• Seeing congregations decide to become healthy.
• The National Conference 2007, where God showed up!
• Speaking in many of our churches, meeting some great people.
• Working with a fine staff: Pat, Gary, Steve, Marci, Tom, Donna, Marilyn, Cathy, Darlene, Phylis, and Mabel. They truly have a heart to serve you.
• Seeing some sparks of renewal in a few places and trying to fan those sparks into an inferno.
• The privilege to serve the United Brethren in Christ, USA
• Serving on the Huntington University board of trustees.
• Talking with pastors who have a passion and vision for the ministry God has given them.
• Working with our leadership teams.
• Helping to develop and participating in our weekend assessments of various congregations.
• And probably a lot more if I just thought about it.

However, certain aspects have been very challenging. When thinking about the challenges, I can’t help but think of that great “theologian,” Pogo, who once said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

There are two issues that I would like to discuss with you. I'll post one today, and the second one on Friday.

I'm sitting in a training/discussion meeting in St. Louis right now with Ed Stetzer, one of the most articulate, informed researchers in America today regarding the Church. It is very insightful and stimulating.

My mind is wandering down many different trails. But there is key point that should be the focus of our discussions of conducting an extreme makeover for the church. There are three key elements we have to coordinate to be effective.

First is a clear Christology. What is it we really believe about Jesus Christ? About the Bible? About the condition of man apart from Christ? About God the Father? About the future coming of Christ? So in other words, what is it we believe and how is that shown in our lives?

Second, what is our Ecclesiology? Ecclesiology is the study of the church. What do we believe about the church? What does the church look like in the Bible? What are the essentials for the church today? What forms do we hold on to in our churches that are not Biblically mandated? What is the context of our church and do we as a church fit our context?

Third, Missiology? What is our Mission? Whose mission is it? Are we in tune with the mission? Jesus Christ is the embodiment of that mission; the Holy Spirit is the power of that mission; the church is the instrument of that mission; and the culture is the context in which that mission occurs. Is there a way for us to fulfill the mission more effectively?

What do you think? I would be interested in hearing how you see the answers to these questions for your church and for you.