Episcopal Address West Ohio Annual Conference Bishop Bruce R. Ough Resident Bishop

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Episcopal AddressWest Ohio Annual
ConferenceBishop Bruce R. OughResident Bishop
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Obedience to the Heavenly Body
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Rev. Grace Huck
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A Transformed World
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CAN YOU IMAGINEa United Methodist movement in
West Ohio that has shaken loose from our love of
institution has fallen backin love with the
saving sanctifying experience that gave birth
to the institution?
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CAN YOU IMAGINEUnited Methodist congregations
in West Ohio that move beyondministering to
their carpets to minister to thosewho might
soil the carpet?
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CAN YOU IMAGINEa movement in West Ohio willing
to put its reputation life on the line to
seek, not its own good, but the common good for
all of Ohio citizens?
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CAN YOU IMAGINEa West Ohio Conference in which
every congregation is focusing
theirdisciple-making effortson the children
youthof their communities?
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CAN YOU IMAGINEa United Methodist movement in
West Ohio that is fully available to be shapedby
God to accomplishGods purposes?
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Implementing the Heavenly Vision

• The potter makes the vessel for a purpose a
  mission. Imagination without implementation is
  only daydreaming.
• Seeing the vision is inspirational
  motivational. Implementing the vision is
  incarnational transformational.

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God has led the West Ohio Conference to imagine a
time when each of our congregations is a
healthy, growing, spiritually-vital, risk-taking
center for making equipping disciples of Jesus
for the transformation of the world.
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Six Pathways of Implementation

• Leadership Excellence
• New Venues for Ministry
• Strengthening Existing Congregations
• Mission Partnerships
• a. The total second mile giving by West Ohio
  United Methodists in 2005 was 5.1 million.
• Financial Resources Development
• Aligning Our Resources
• a. The mission of the West Ohio Conference is not
  restructuring. Our mission remains making
  disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation
  of the world.

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Fruit of the Kingdom

• Bearing fruit, as mature disciples of Jesus
  Christ, is how God shows the world who God is!

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Those who do not bear fruit, are in for a BIG
surprise.
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Acts 2 Congregations
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Kingdom Faith

• Persons of all nations and races tongues being
  added to and included in the faith community.
  (Acts 241)
• Persons receiving the Good News being saved.
  (Acts 245b)
• Persons being cared for as they had need. (Acts
  244-45)
• Persons demonstrating wonders signs of Gods
  kingdom-reversing kingdom-multiplying power.
  (Acts 243)

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The Method that Gives Rise to Fruitfulness

• Radical hospitality that welcomes persons into
  the community. (Acts 241-47b)
• Passionate glad worship that praises
  magnifies Gods presence. (Acts 243 46-47a)
• Faith-forming devotion to the apostles
  teachings, fellowship prayer that grows
  disciples. (Acts 242)
• Risk-taking ministries of justice mercy that
  serve the needs of the community.
  (Acts 243, 44-45)

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Are YOU ready to becomean Acts 2 Congregation?

• Acts 2 congregations are reaching baptizing
  new believers, growing worship, forming disciples
  engaging in vital mission in the community
  the world.

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At the End of 2005

• 30 of our congregations demonstrated growth in
  worship attendance.
• 54 of our congregations had at least one
  profession of faith.
• 65 of our congregations had at least one
  baptism.
• 60 of our congregations had at least one faith-
  forming small group.
• 64 of our congregations had contributed 100 of
  their apportionments to support the global
  mission of the church.
• 28 of our congregations demonstrated growth in
  membership.

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Do It Again, Lord

• It is time to mess with the fruit plant more
  little trees.
• How dare we settle for the shade, forsaking the
  fruit fail God humanity?
• Do it again, Lord do it again soon

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Merciful Lord, apart from you we can do nothing,
no matter how often we try to be our own vines,
our own sources of life. Prune away our pride
and illusions of self-sufficiency, so that,
restored to life in you, we can be your
fruit-bearing branches. We offer you our gifts
and lives for the sake of your mission in the
world. Grant us your heavenly vision and the
strength to remain obedient to that vision. We
pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, who chose
us and put us in the world to bear fruit, fruit
that will last. Amen.
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