By The LMC Bishop Elders Team

Given Keith Weaver’s plans to retire on October 1, 2022, LMC has been in a season of discernment related to LMC’s governing structures. A supporting factor in this liminal season is our shared aspiration to become a Spirit-led movement, which suggests less institutional control and more nimble, organic ways of making decisions that offer space for LMC to become a disciple-making movement. 

As part of this discernment, on April 8, 2022, the Conference Executive Council affirmed a team of spiritual elders who will provide executive leadership to continue the ministries of LMC and, at the same time, lead LMC in this season of change and transformation by:

• helping LMC learn new ways of thinking and behaving as a Spirit-led movement multiplying disciples, missionaries, and faith communities.
• ensuring that effective leadership is in place for LMC’s governing board (CEC), the Bishops’ Council, and the LMC staff team.
• facilitating further discernment about new governing structures that best support a Spirit-led movement of multiplication going forward. 

We have a shared sense that the Holy Spirit is inviting us to become a movement. Our God is always on a mission and he has a church that must share that mission. 

The Bishop Elders Team is in a season of discerning who is responsible for what tasks but we are united in our desire to live fully into our APEST functions, honoring and serving one another and the whole of LMC. In a recent meeting with the Board of Bishops, we shared a rough draft of the various tasks and responsibilities and how they are being divided. 

A recent word we have been praying into comes from Isaiah 55:11-13, 

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers, the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.

A Snapshot of Missional Movement