Standing with our Asian Sisters and Brothers

 By Keith Boyette

March 23, 2021

Since the announcement of the emergence of the coronavirus and its spread globally in early 2020, those of Asian ethnicity have been the targets of racism, acts of violence, discrimination, harassment, and derogatory statements. Acts of violence, including murders and assaults, have escalated recently. The Wesleyan Covenant Association condemns all such conduct. Such acts are sin, devalue the dignity of persons created in the image of God, and are contrary to the core principles of the Kingdom of God.

In its Statement of Moral Principles, the Wesleyan Covenant Association declares, “We believe that all persons are of sacred worth…. The WCA specifically renounces all racial and ethnic discrimination and commits itself to work toward full racial and ethnic equality in the church and in society.” We value each person graced with life by our Creator God. The human family is diminished whenever one of its members is attacked, harassed, treated as less than others, or singled out for harmful treatment.

Paragraph 202.1 of the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church affirms, “We believe all persons irrespective of their station or circumstances in life have been made in the image of God and must be treated with dignity, justice, and respect. We denounce as sin racism, sexism, and other expressions that unjustly discriminate against any person (Genesis 1-2, Deuteronomy 16:19-20, Luke 11:42, 19:9, Colossians 3:11).”

The character of Jesus within us recoils with abhorrence at any act that seeks to stereotype, objectify, or dehumanize any group of people. Our mission continues to be one of drawing near to diverse people so that we all can draw near to God. We are richer because of our embrace of others. We are blessed when others with different societal and cultural backgrounds are present at our table.

Affirming these principles is necessary, but more is required of us in this current season. Prejudice, bias, hatred, and racism is never justified, must always be called out, necessitates our intervening to shield others from harm, and requires each of us to stand with those who are its target calling out speech and acts that overtly or subtly embody such racism.

Here are concrete steps we can take to stand with our Asian sisters and brothers in this time:

• We can speak affirmatively and work to establish the character of our churches and communities to ensure that each person is uniquely valued and loved.
• We can model in our conversations and writings the use of words that respect and affirm one another rather than words that stereotype and seek to define persons as “other.”
• We can reach out to those subjected to racism, bias, prejudice, and discouragement to encourage them with our love and presence, and to confront such acts with our witness to the character of Christ.
• We can accompany our Asian sisters and brothers in their journeys to communicate to others that they are highly valued and to contribute to their safety and well-being.
• We can intervene where we encounter others contributing to environments that deny persons their dignity so that we identify what is occurring and remedy the attempted harm.

To those in the Asian community, you are valued by God and each of us. We celebrate your uniqueness. We refuse to stereotype you. We condemn efforts by others to do so. We covenant to work with you so that we might experience a community where you are affirmed, loved, valued, experience security, and flourish.

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Keith Boyette is president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and chairman of the Transitional Leadership Council of the Global Methodist Church (in formation). He is an elder in the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Krystl Gauld to Speak at Go Global! the WCA’s Fifth Global Gathering

 

The Wesleyan Covenant Association is excited to announce that Ms. Krystl Gauld, Executive Director at Dignity Housing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will make a presentation at its Fifth Global Gathering – Go Global! – at Frazer Church in Montgomery, Alabama on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

“Krystl is the kind of dynamic young adult that gives you an abundance of hope for the future of our movement,” said the Rev. Keith Boyette, President of the WCA. “Her passion for God’s people, for the Church, and for Jesus is irresistible! It’s a privilege to have her join us on May 1, but even more importantly, to have her lead us well into the future.”

An advocate, student, and young adult leader in the church, Gauld will deliver an address entitled, “Audacious: Sharing the Faith with Who?”

Gauld is a graduate of Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey) where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in African American Studies. She received a Master of Science in Counseling at Cairn University in Langhorne Manor, Pennsylvania, and is currently working on a Doctor of Theology degree at Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, Pennsylvania.

A United Methodist since she was eight years old, Gauld was born in Florida, and raised in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference has twice elected her to serve as a General Conference delegate. She represented her annual conference at the 2016 and 2019 General Conferences, and she will do so again at the special called General Conference on May 8, 2021, and in 2022 when the conference meets in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has also served on the UM Church’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Gauld has made presentations at several events, including the Heartbeat International Conference, the WCA’s Northeastern Regional Meeting, and most recently at Hempfield UM Church’s (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) Preaching Series where she delivered a sermon entitled, “The Global Church: Overcoming Racism for the Kingdom of God.”

“The Eastern Pennsylvania WCA Regional Chapter is incredibly blessed to have Krystl as one of our leaders,” said the Rev. Joe DiPaolo, Senior Pastor at Lancaster First United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “She’s very plugged into what has been happening in the UM Church over the past several years. And her keen intellect and warm spirit have helped keep theological conservatives fully informed and inspired as we chart our way to a new, healthy, vibrant, and global church!”

Married just last year, Gauld and her husband Damian live in Darby, Pennsylvania.

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Due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, the WCA has capped attendance for Go Global! at 1,000 at Frazer Church where two venues will allow for very generous social distancing. In addition to the host site there will be numerous simulcast sites across the United States where people can also participate in the WCA’s Fifth Global Gathering. Local pandemic protocols will be observed at the host site and all simulcast sites. The WCA is also offering an individual livestream option.

To learn more about the gathering visit Go Global! online. People can register to attend the host site at Frazer Church in Montgomery, Alabama, or one of a number of simulcast sites across the U.S.

Getting to a Decision

February 12, 2021
by Keith Boyette

Life is complicated. A pandemic makes life more complicated. Ministry is hard. Ministry during a pandemic is harder. Decision-making is often difficult. Decision-making during a pandemic is even more difficult. The United Methodist Church is confronting this reality just as countless other communities are when established practices have been altered to account for coronavirus realities. Leaders are challenged to be adaptive and resilient in such environments.

Repercussions for the UM Church have included a postponed General Conference, economic challenges amid budgetary uncertainties, and delayed action on countless legislative matters. Navigating these conditions have proved stressful for UM Church leaders at every level.

Last year the Commission on General Conference (COGC) worked hard to successfully reschedule the postponed General Conference for August 29 to September 7, 2021. Now it is again faced with an important decision on whether General Conference can proceed on those dates. It will meet on February 20 and it is widely expected it will announce whether or not an in person General Conference will be held this year.

Whatever decision the COGC makes, there will be heightened uncertainty and anxiety across the UM Church. A significant contributor to that uncertainty and anxiety is the inability of the UM Church to resolve the irreconcilable conflict arising from disagreement on the definition of marriage, its ordination standards, and its teachings on sexual ethics. Persons on every side of the conflict want a decision that will enable them to move forward in mission and ministry. Few advocate for perpetuating the endless argument that has increasingly dominated our life together. The inability to choose a different way forward – a more God-honoring way – is damaging our witness, mission, and ministry. There is a longing for the church to recognize the integrity of both the persons and the positions of those who hold differing commitments in this conflict. After decades of fruitless debate, people want to part ways in an amicable and orderly fashion so they can engage in effective and fruitful ministry. There is no need to return to vitriolic General Conferences where we do great harm to the church’s mission and witness only to learn what we all already know – we have irreconcilable differences on core issues.

Adopting the implementing legislation for the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation is the most promising way forward. Sixteen leaders, representing centrists, progressives, traditionalists, and bishops, were invited to participate in crafting the Protocol by the late bishop of Sierra Leone, John Yambasu. These leaders were ably facilitated by Kenneth Feinberg, a world-renowned conflict resolution expert, who generously donated his services despite the fact that he is not United Methodist. The leaders, who have often been at odds with one another, labored through multiple, all-day meetings over five months. After significant compromises from all sides, they arrived at a unanimous agreement on the Protocol. Implementing legislation was drafted, and then multiple annual conferences voted to put it before the General Conference delegates for their approval.

Once the Protocol legislation is adopted, those who hold diametrically opposing positions on the contentious matters before us will be able to go their separate ways, blessing one another in their parting. The UM Church would be the first denomination to have navigated the conflict and amicably resolved it, exhibiting to a watching world how Christians can resolve disputes in life-affirming and life-giving ways. I firmly believe we were poised to move ahead when the coronavirus pandemic intervened; I still trust we will peacefully end our conflict.

Now it is time for us to make a decision. Already there are signs of a return to the bitter arguments publicly aired at the 2019 special General Conference. As United Methodists, we certainly know how to do conflict. The question before us is whether we will now exhibit a spirit of peace as we part from one another.

Our lives have changed in dramatic ways since the pandemic; some of those changes will be permanent. Now is the time for UM Church leaders to find creative ways to move forward so our General Conference delegates can do the critical work we have entrusted to them.

Keith Boyette is president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and an elder in the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church.

How Does YouTube Work?

YouTube is like television over the internet. Good Shepherd Parish has its own YouTube channel where we share videos that anyone can watch.

If people like our channel, and have a Google account (Gmail, G-Suite, Android phone), they can subscribe to our channel, just like you would with a cable or satellite TV provider, except that our channel is free. People who subscribe to our channel get notified when there’s a new video. We’d love for you to subscribe. Click on the picture below and it will take you to our channel.

Each video on our channel is like an episode of a TV program. If you like a particular video, you can like it and even share it with others. When watching a video you will probably see images underneath it like I’ve included below. Clicking the Thumbs Up means you like it. Clicking on SHARE will give you options to share the video with your friends and family.

Again, this only works if you have a Google account and are logged into it. Otherwise you’ll see a big  button at the top right of the page. The more likes and subscribers we have, the more people will see our videos. Also, if we get up to 100 subscribers, our channel name could go from this: UCt0Fs8iizdamEIxxzmL4BYg to something like IowaWCA to more closely match our website. Wouldn’t that be so much nicer for people?

So, we're asking you to do your part. If you have a Google account, or don’t mind getting one, subscribe to our channel, and when you see a video that you connect with, like it and share it with others.

Thanks!

At the End of Your Rope

"At the End of Your Rope"

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” Matthew 5:3 MSG 

I’m sure there have been times in your life when you feel that you are at the end of your rope; whether that’s in a job, a marriage, friendships, financially, in sickness, or even our spiritual life. Many of us feel as if we are hanging on by a thread and at any minute everything could unravel. In these moments, it seems silly to consider ourselves blessed. However, Jesus opens up the Sermon on the Mount telling those who feel at the end of their rope that they are blessed. 

Out of everything Jesus could have said to the thousands of people there, He decided to open up by exclaiming the blessed state of those who feel that they are barely hanging on, that life seems to be crumbling in on itself. How can this be so?

It can be quite difficult for us to recognize our need for God when not in need. Pride starts to creep in and we can easily forget how much we truly need God. In our moments of desperation, we typically react in two ways. We can both curse God and turn away or we can deepen our trust in God. Job could have easily cursed God after everything was taken from him. Joseph could have cursed God when he was sold into slavery by his brothers and spent years in prison. However, both men renewed their faith in God. 

Jesus tells us that when we are at the end of our rope that it is in those moments that we are blessed. Our pride is out the window and our humanity is fully realized. In those moments, we recognize our need for something bigger than ourselves. We are emptied of ourselves and with ourselves emptied, there is now room for God. 

If you feel that you are at the end of your rope, know that you are blessed! God is with you! Let this desperation lead us to fervent prayer and turning over everything to God to take. By emptying yourself, you allow more room for God! God moves when we are truly desperate for Him! 

Prayer: Father, we repent because we know we have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have allowed our pride and self-sufficiency to become our god. Lord, forgive us. We are in desperate need of You! We are at the end of our ropes and know we need You in our lives more than anything else. God, we need You to move in our lives, the lives of my family, and in our community. God let us never forget our need of You in the bad times and in the good times. Amen. 

Pastor Mike Ellson, Center Point UMC

Progressive Christianity?

Brothers & Sisters in Christ - 

As of today, there are only 55 days remaining until the beginning of the 2020 UM General Conference in Minneapolis on May 5. We pray that you have found our new website useful for facilitating the discussion in your church, as well as for providing a basis for connecting and having discussions with those in other churches, as we all move towards the future together! 

We believe that having resources from all perspectives is most helpful to the conversation, so we wanted to feature a couple resources today. From the liberal point of view, Rev. Roger Wolsey, an ordained United Methodist pastor who directs the Wesley Foundation at the University of Colorado at Boulder, writes in his article “It’s Time for Progressive Christianity”:

“Friends, Jesus isn’t God. Jesus didn’t die for our sins. Jesus wasn’t killed instead of us. God isn’t wrathful or vindictive. There isn’t a hell (other than ones that we create here on this earth). Going to heaven after we die isn’t what the faith or salvation is about. God didn’t write the Bible...Jesus’ resurrection didn’t have to be understood as a physical one…”

Many progressive UM clergy, including some in Iowa, believe (and teach) the same as Rev. Wolsey does on these matters. In stark contrast, the Wesleyan Covenant Association stands with the teaching of the universal Church for all time, agreeing with the apostle Thomas (yes, even “Doubting Thomas”) in saying that Jesus is “my Lord and my God”. 

Unbiblical beliefs espoused by Rev. Wolsey and other progressive UM clergy, in Iowa and elsewhere, further confirm what we have been saying since the inception of the WCA - that the division in the United Methodist Church is NOT about sexuality issues. It is about much deeper differences - regarding the person of Jesus Christ, the authority and interpretation of Scripture, the nature of creation, sin, salvation, and reconciliation, and so on. Unbiblical teaching on sexuality practices are only “presenting” issues that flow from a worldview that celebrates the creation instead of the Creator, and where “salvation and deliverance” are brought by political action and social engineering, rather than by Divine grace and the Cross of Jesus Christ.  

The simple truth is that diametrically-opposed beliefs cannot co-exist with any integrity in a “united” church, and more than 40 years of conflict confirms this.

And so, we STRONGLY encourage you to utilize the resources available and engage in these very important discussions. More great resources will be added - and speaking of great resources, we invite you to check out THIS great testimony!

Go to www.iowawca.org to find out what ELSE is available!

In Christ’s love,

The Communications team of the Iowa WCA

Our Lenten Journey Together - "A Free Gift"

"A Free Gift"

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

A few years ago, I was heading to pick up my older sister from the airport. She was flying in from Florida. I was running early for once, so I decided to run through the nearest drive-through to grab a hot cocoa. Maybe that would help pass the time. As I pulled up to the pay window, I realized I didn’t have a dime on me. Nothing. Nada. “I’m so embarrassed, but I must have left my purse at home,” I told the lady at the window. Her blank stare turned into a big smile. She must have noticed my heart pounding out of my chest. “Don’t you worry about a thing. This one is on me!” She said with a slight wink. To be honest, I don’t remember much after that. I do remember how I cried the rest of the way to the airport thinking about what God has given us.  

The cocoa came at a price just like my personal salvation. In a world where strings are always attached, important details are written in fine print, and wages are measured to the penny - there isn’t much in life that’s truly free. You probably see where I’m going with this, but just in case… This is the gospel! Jesus freely gave His perfect, sinless, beautiful, and fruitful life for us. Our heart should pound when we think of our sinful, selfish tendencies, and our tears should flow when we think about the sacrificial love of Jesus that is so freely given for us. We deserve death because of our sin, but when we accept Jesus into our hearts, we receive eternal life. Can you think of a better gift? 

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the free gift of salvation through Jesus. Thank you that we don’t have to earn our way to eternity with you. Help us to live into that gift this season. Help us to shine your light and live into your peace in this crazy and costly world. Give us generous hearts that we might gain a godly perspective in our earthly circumstances. Thank you also for this church family. Grow our hearts, grow our effectiveness, grow our numbers if it be your will. For your kingdom. To you be all the glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Amy Happ, Center Point UMC Laity

Our Lenten Journey Together - "The Law"

“The Law”

Romans 7-8

Have you ever questioned your life? Like, seriously questioned why you do what you do and why you say what you say? I truly believe God brings about circumstances and situations to present each of us with the opportunity to ask these kinds of questions. It happened to me when I lost a close friend who was a pastor. I was questioning everything.

I remember the first Sunday I went to church seeking answers. The congregation was going through, “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis. I picked up a copy and couldn’t put it down. This led me to Romans chapters 7-8. The Apostle Paul explains sin and who Jesus is and where we fit in the world God created. It was that moment God spoke through His Word and made my sin real.

God has a way of moving into our lives at the precise moment to help us change. That is what the season of Lent is all about. Jesus knew something big was about to happen and what God had planned to take the sins of the world away. Jesus didn’t fixate on the past or future alone, but He had the confidence of what God was doing in the moment.

We, too, can’t be fixated on our past experiences or current expectations in how God is going to work. God is always working newness and understanding into our lives. Our part is, “Do we believe it?” and if we do, “How are we going to live it?”

Don’t let this season of Lent just be a motion you go through. Be open to what God must show you about yourself and who He is. And lastly, if you trust God, be ready for what He will do in your life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for this season of Lent. A time to reflect and a time to grow into the people you have made us to be. Give us a spirit of hospitality with eyes and ears for our neighbor who hasn’t met you yet. Thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for taking our place on the cross and giving us faith and eternal life. Amen.

Pastor Andrew Happ

Ash Wednesday - Am I Ready?

Ash Wednesday – Am I Ready?

Saturday night I was in the sanctuary praying, not an odd thing for a preacher. At my amen, one last look and “are we ready for tomorrow?” Everything seemed ready and as always, I took a glance at the announcements, then a brief moment of panic; Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, “do we have the Ashes?”

Up to the altar I went, and right where they are supposed to be were the ashes from the palms we burned in 2018 and 19 sitting beside our bottle of oil. Physically, we are ready, no worries there.

This morning as I completed my YouVersion Bible Study (Song of Solomon and Ephesians 6) that same question rolled over my soul; are we ready?

Obviously, we do not completely know exactly what we need to be ready for. Anything can happen today in our lives and the lives of our beloved and because we cannot control circumstances, our readiness must be at a spiritual level. Are we in the Lord deep enough to be ready for what comes?

My involvement with the organizations that preceded it and now the Wesleyan Covenant Association have certainly helped me prepare for what might come in the United Methodist Church. As we all stand on the edge of Ash Wednesday here are three things I am ready for, and I invite you to share what God is preparing you for in the “midst” of our denominational scenario. It may inspire our Lenten conversations.

1. I am ready for something new to emerge or nothing to happen at General Conference. This is not going to be a UM political piece, but, I have attended a few General Conferences and we are a big tent bunch that represents four continents and a plethora of traditions, etc. We also know love of “same” is typical of large and small organizations. Our organization is pushing “protocols” and as you read the legislation, consider the delegations, it seems important to prepare your congregation for both. There are great resources at www.iowawca.org to help you be faithful to the task. Great change or “same” shall not influence my call, nor will it destroy or instantly catapult a church to greatness. I am ready.

2. I am ready to claim the opportunity that God is giving us for ministry rather than wallow in blaming the failing “denomination.” One of the reasons I support “protocols” is that it frees us to a new day free of a bulky bureaucracy, boards and agencies and episcopal leaders that weekly cause collateral damage in our ministry as we seek to interpret what seem to be actions counter to the gospel message to brokenhearted members and friends. But, in reality, my DNA has already done that and so have many of you in your daily ministry. Here is my proof:

3. There are many inspiring leaders and congregations in Iowa who in full view of the denominational crisis are faithfully and fearlessly doing amazing, forward looking Christ-centered ministry. A little evidence to support my claim. One of our churches just two Sundays ago welcomed 17 new members. Another baptized 7 people, most of whom walked to their own baptism. One church realizing its need to turn around some stuff sent investigative teams of members out to other congregations for inspiration and ideas, completely on their own, no denominational expert needed. Summer Games University leaders reported that so far 7 new to summer games churches are planning to send kids this year. (Info at www.sgu.camp) Sunday, 5 high schoolers testified in a church to the saving nature of Jesus and invited adults to receive it too. Many congregations have faithfully negotiated loving, thoughtful conversations regarding the theological conflict UMC is embroiled in and proclaimed a faithful way forward.

One of the beauties of the Christian year is the rhythm of opportunity it provides. Ash Wednesday and Lent give opportunity for a spiritual reboot or supercharge. Tomorrow as you impart or receive the ashes of repentance and oil of forgiveness, I admonish you to take some moments – even if you are the preacher – and kneel physically/spiritually before God. Take the time friends, ask God for the spirit, wisdom, strength, love of readiness. His readiness is all we shall need – God is not stingy – He can make us ready for whatever.

Tomorrow, as I mix the ashes with the oil, my simple prayer will really be; God, I think I am ready – make me ready, please.

You are beloved.

Rev. Mike Morgan

Pastor, Marion First UMC

Co-Chair, Iowa chapter of the WCA

A GREAT Day is Coming!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 

A GREAT couple of days are coming soon!

We are SO EXCITED about the 3rd annual “School for Practical Ministry”, Friday & Saturday, April 17-18, 2020, at Altoona United Methodist Church! Those who have attended in the past have universally declared it to be the BEST training event in Iowa they attend all year long, and one that gives them the most PRACTICAL ideas and inspiration to take back to their local churches and incorporate into their personal ministries!

TRULY it is two days full of wonderful teaching, Holy Spirit-led worship, and loving fellowship - and all centrally located in a community and facility that is easily accessible from any place in Iowa! And by moving from a Thursday/Friday schedule to a Friday/Saturday schedule, it has become even MORE accessible to the laity in our churches!

Our brochure with the full schedule, including information about the workshops and teachers, is available for download HERE.

We are MOST excited to welcome our Keynote Speaker, Rev. Dr. Carolyn Moore! Her keynote address is titled, "Spiritual Leadership and Your Identity Inside His 'I Am',”and her teaching includes five sessions that are designed with hope in mind. In her own words, "Through them, we will steep in the absolute necessity of knowing who we are in Christ; the call to supernatural ministry (beyond good social work); what it means to walk in Spirit-given power and authority; the importance of reclaiming Paul's core offices in structuring the church (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and Teacher); and the sustaining work of personal holiness rooted in the spiritual disciplines. Our goal will be to remember and rekindle our influence as those sent by God to welcome and advance the Kingdom of God on earth."

Carolyn is also the Vice Chairperson of the global Wesleyan Covenant Association leadership council, and she recently wrote a blog post giving five reasons to join the WCA. We encourage you to read it HERE.

Need another reason to join the WCA? Here’s one closer to home (feel free to share it with YOUR church and others!)


In Christ’s love,

The Communications team of the Iowa WCA

The Countdown Continues

Beloved in Christ - 

As of today, there are only 76 days remaining until the beginning of the 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. Delegates from around the world will be gathering to make decisions about the future of The UMC. There have been multiple plans submitted for amicable separation, as a growing number of Methodists (of all theological convictions) have arrived at the consensus that our decades-long conflict in the church MUST come to an end. 

Jesus commands us to “GO, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…,” not get stuck in endless debates - and CERTAINLY not to turn our churches into whatever is fashionable and “politically correct” in a postmodern culture to remain “relevant”. So today, we are again asking that you keep ALL the delegates to General Conference, and especially our Iowa delegation, in fervent prayer - that the conflict would come to an end, that God’s will would be done, and that faithful UM believers in Biblical truth be freed from the cultural bondage that has crippled the church, all to bring revival in our churches, in our nation, and in our world! 

After the General Conference concludes its business, our attention turns to the Iowa Annual Conference session, to be held in Des Moines June 5 - 7. The legislation proposed in many of the separation plans (including the Protocol for Grace and Reconciliation through Separation), provides that a plan approved at General Conference will then be considered and voted on by each Annual Conference. We, therefore, STRENUOUSLY remind you of the following:

• It is VITALLY important that each of our churches/charges send their allotted number of Lay Representatives to Annual Conference, so that they will be present to vote on any matter brought. We can’t stress this enough - every Traditionalist church that does NOT send a Lay Rep to vote FOR Biblical truth effectively gives another vote AGAINST Biblical truth!

• LICENSED LOCAL PASTORS ARE ELIGIBLE to vote on everything we are likely to be voting on. Repeat - LICENSED LOCAL PASTORS ARE ELIGIBLE to vote on everything we are likely to be voting on! This has been an area of confusion at times, and we want to state the truth in no uncertain terms!

• We urge all RETIRED Traditionalist clergy to attend Annual Conference in order to vote, as well. We are most appreciative of your service to the Body of Christ over the years, but we humbly ask you to continue your service to Christ by being present at Annual Conference, and sharing your witness to the Truth by voting.  

So, after all is said and done, one question remains - IS YOUR CHURCH READY TO MAKE A DECISION? The Iowa WCA stands ready to assist. We have developed a new website, with resources to inform and enable the conversation in your church. We will be adding new resources on an ongoing basis, so check back often! 

One of the questions that some in our churches are asking is “why the Wesleyan Covenant Association?” We have created some GREAT resources to answer that question, which you can check out on our website - but we want to share ONE reason with you today:

MUCH MORE to come soon, including updated information about the School for Practical Ministry, and more resources for the conversation in YOUR CHURCH! Please continue to pray for the United Methodist Church, and the Wesleyan Covenant Association. 

In Christ’s love,

The Communications team of the Iowa WCA