Annual Conference leaders make pastoral visit to Michigan.

Annual Conference moderator Christopher Bowman and moderator-elect Jim Hardenbrook made a pastoral visit to Michigan District in early January, after receiving several contacts from district leaders and with the affirmation of the Annual Conference Council. The district leadership is dealing with the 2002 and 2003 actions of Annual Conference surrounding the issue of ordaining non-celibate homosexual persons.

Bowman and Hardenbrook visited five churches over a four-day visit Jan. 5-8, which was intended to be pastoral in nature rather than bringing, arguing, or enforcing any Annual Conference legislation or interpretation. Marie Willoughby, Michigan District executive, scheduled the conversations.

At each location, Bowman and Hardenbrook felt they were received warmly and that feelings were shared passionately. "I am impressed by the commitment of the brothers and sisters in Michigan to their faith and to each other," Bowman said. "Our visit allowed us to share in some small way the pain of division felt by the faithful Brethren on both sides of the current crisis and to offer the encouragement of the wider church."

"The divisions within the Michigan District are real and deep," Hardenbrook said, "but so is their commitment to Jesus and the church. The desire to restore unity, while not universal, is evident. I encourage the whole denomination to make a concerted effort to pray for the people and leaders of the Michigan District."

Meetings were held at Skyridge Church of the Brethren in Kalamazoo, with about 25 people from four congregations; at Onekama, with 22 people from three congregations; at Beaverton, with 30 people from three congregations; at New Life Fellowship in Mount Pleasant, with 20 people from six congregations; and at Trinity Church of the Brethren in Detroit, with 28 people from four congregations. Some people attended more than one of the meetings. As a follow-up to the visit, district leaders held a telephone conference call with Bowman and Hardenbrook to talk about the visit and their vision, mission, and hope for the district.

Source: Newsline 1/30/2004
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