Dash of Thought September 2024

On the Move
Depending on their place of origin, the participants in the five-day World Methodist Conference spent many hours on the move to Gothenburg. 1200 people from over 130 countries from all parts of the world and from over 80 Methodist Churches made their way to Sweden last August and were thus able to prepare themselves for the motto On the Move during the journey already.
The motto, which was taken up in many different ways - in the worship services, seminars and workshops as well as in the exhibitions - appealed to me. Faith means being on the move. Somewhere I read: "For the Bible, faith is not so much a matter of the head, but above all of the feet." This is based on the observation that the Bible often speaks of a journey, of walking and following, of going and being sent. The wanderings of Abram and Moses, Israel's exodus from Egypt, Jesus' journey with his disciples, the missionary journeys reported in the New Testament are just a few examples. And Paul describes himself as someone who has not yet reached his goal, but is running towards it. Disciples are on the move. And on this journey, faith grows, moves and changes. Some convictions and views will prove themselves and deepen, others will change.
The conference in Gothenburg was an expression of this and a unique opportunity to journey in faith: in listening and celebrating together, in meeting people from very different contexts, in getting to know new perspectives on being a Methodist Church, in discovering commonalities and differences, for example with regard to the challenges of everyday life. It was impressive for me to hear how migration and climate change are shaping the church's commitment everywhere. When Methodists from the Pacific region talk about the existential threat posed by climate change and show how they are dealing with it, it shakes people up, encourages them, and challenges them to think and act differently.
Faith means being on the road. Trusting that the Risen One walks with us. This was tangible at the World Methodist Conference. And I wish everyone this experience - also at home, in their personal everyday life and in the witness and service of the churches.
 
Bishop Stefan Zürcher
 
 
Photo: pixabay