Music Lessons: A Rehearsal

Alright, alright, this has nothing to do with church trends.  However, as this blog started out as a class assignment, it is still prone to class requirements.  As such, here is a link to the video I made for my class "group" project.  (If you're in the class, you get the joke.)  :)

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=106378134433

Enjoy.  ;)

Love in action? We'll see.

Is there something wrong with me?  

Wait, don't answer that.

This coming Sunday marks the 2009 West Ohio United Methodist Annual Conference held every year at Lakeside.  Every year clergy and laity gather on the shores of Lake Erie to discuss the purpose, plans and direction of the West Ohio United Methodist Conference.  Hundreds volunteer their time and efforts to pray for and discuss the future of the hundreds of churches in the conference.  It's quite a gathering.  Each and every pastor I've ever known who has attended has come back with the same report of the festivities: It's a snooze-fest.

You know what, though?  I'm looking forward to the snooze-fest!  Since the first horror story I ever heard, I've wanted to attend and see for myself the inner workings of the conference.  For example, rumor has it that if someone recommends a particular issue should be tabled until the next annual conference, the issue is undisputedly tabled.  Further rumor suggests that one particular woman tables a certain topic every year.  I wonder who she is and what she doesn't want to deal with.

There are other things that I'm curious about.  For example, why are there four events listed for 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning?  One event, the Internet Cafe, is not so much an event as it is an open space.  But the men's worship, women's clergy breakfast and donor's appreciation breakfast are also held at that time.  Why do the men have their own worship?  Why do donors and women clergy have to miss out on worship in order to have pancakes and eggs?  It doesn't make sense.

Also, why does last year's slideshow feature candles and kid's crafts in the 'prayer' slides, but no person actually praying?  Why is a picture of a bicycle with roses important to the conference?  How does wind surfing on Lake Erie help the homeless?  Heck, how does a picture of an antique car help men and women find transportation to their job or doctor's office?  Again, it just doesn't make sense.

To add to the nonsense is the agenda.  There are normal items on the agenda such as orientation for newcomers, a financial report presentation and the ever-important lunch hour.  But what is the "Election of Election Task Force"?  Why is the greeting of the churches halfway through the second day of the conference?  Why is there a Black College Fund report, but not a Hispanic college fund?  Or an Arab college fund?  Or a refugee college fund?  And why do we need a "Resolution to Investigate Companies Supporting the Occupation of Palestinian Territories" before Monday's closing hymn?  I'm not even going to ask why we're receiving offering twice on Wednesday.

I think what I'm most unsure about, however, is the theme of the week.  The conference is entitled "Love in Action: Leadership Development."  However, the recommendations and constitutional amendments that are being proposed/voted on have little if anything to do with leadership development.

The first recommendation suggests that pastors exemplify healthy living to their congregation in order to help make up for a lack of health care in Ohio.  It also suggests writing letters to government legislatures to get everyone covered.  Okay, so it's a good thing.  But how is that leadership development?  Why does there need to be a recommendation for special offerings on certain Sundays in the year?  I kid you not, "Rural Life Sunday" is recommended to be held sometime in May.  Look it up if you don't believe me; it's number four.

With so much frivolous representation online for everyone to see, how will this be a leadership development conference?  I'm not sure.  I'm not convinced.  And yet, I'm excited.  Is there something wrong with me?

Wait, don't answer that.