22 September 2009
September meeting of the Methodist Council
The Methodist Council met on 21-22 September at Methodist Church
House in London. This is the first Council meeting of the new
Church year.
Discipleship was high on the agenda for this Council meeting.
General Secretary the Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, introduced the
discussion by asking Council members to consider the challenges
that Christian discipleship presents to the contemporary church.
Presenting a vision for discipleship, John Ellis, Secretary for
Team Operations, said; "Christian discipleship isn't just about
self improvement and it's certainly not about self promotion. We
want to encourage people to grow in faith and action as their own
lives change and grow. As the life of John Wesley has taught us,
Christian discipleship can change the world."
The Council also discussed a new fundraising strategy for the
Church, which will now be developed in consultation with Methodists
around Britain. Fundraising Coordinator David Bennett, said, "At
the heart of this strategy is better communication with all those
who give so generously to the Methodist funds. We want them to see
the enormous difference their money makes to the lives of people
all over the world. We couldn't do any of this work without their
support."
The Council spent time in discussions about the progress of the
Anglican-Methodist Covenant, which was signed in 2003. Groups
discussed how the covenant might be further progressed in practical
ways, including different models of episcopacy and how the churches
might consult and make decisions together.
The Council also welcomed the Revd Kirsty Thorpe, Moderator Elect
of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church (URC), as a
participant observer. The Revd Alison Tomlin, President Designate
of the Methodist Conference, will attend the URC Mission Council in
November.
Other topics discussed at the Council included a new communications
strategy for the Church and plans to lease Southlands College to
Roehampton University, with continued Methodist involvement in the
life of the College. The papers of the Methodist Council are
available online at
www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.content&cmid=1325.