As Bishop Melvin Talbert’s 12 years in the California-Nevada Annual Conference draw to a close, the Review invited him to share some final thoughts with readers.
During a back-row conversation at a Jubilee evening worship, Talbert said that despite recent spikes of controversy and turmoil in the Conference itself, “there has been some good ministry going on in our local churches.” That was what he wanted people to remember as he leaves the Conference’s top leadership position. Asked for examples, the Bishop pointed to his “State of the Conference” address given at Annual Conference Session, June 14-the same day that forty years before, he’d been ordained a Methodist Deacon.
In looking back at his dozen years as San Francisco Area Bishop, Talbert said, “We kept before us the vision of one table for all, without exceptions. This vision is at the core of who we are as a church and as a people. To lose it is to become other than who we profess to be.”
“During the past year, we experienced Quest principles being applied at various levels of our Conference life. We are thinking, acting and living in new ways.”
Talbert noted the fallout from an investigation committee’s decision that there were complaints against 67 pastors would not be turned into charges for performing a holy union for two women in 1999. “No further steps could be taken according to church law,” he said. Later, six clergy defied his request that they not send letters to local church leaders that asked churches to withhold apportionments in protest. Complaints were filed against the six pastors. Three have left the UMC. “So, the struggle continues,” Talbert said.
“However, there are some very significant and exciting ministries and opportunities on the horizon: Jubilee 2000 is unfolding. Over 900 people (1,200 as of the first full day.-Ed) have registered for this exciting event.”
“Conference agencies are continuing their experimentation of coloring outside the lines. They are operating under the suspension of their rules so
that new approaches can be used in planning and in decision-making.” “The United Methodist foundation has employed a director of Stewardship who will begin this new ministry July 1. The foundation has held this vision before us for the past four years. We are now ready to resource pastors and congregations in this critical area of stewardship ministries.”
“During the past year, United Methodist Communications (UMCOM), Nashville, assisted us in conducting a Communications Audit,” the Bishop reported. Through focus groups and more than a thousand returned surveys, 25 recommendations were developed to improve communication and sharing of information. “Some of the recommendations are being implemented now. Others will require further study and reflection.” A recommended Conference level staff position for communications was approved at ACS and a search in progress.
“Mission giving to our connection is still a challenge for us. We must find ways to increase the level of our commitment to our connectional vision for witness and mission in the years ahead.”
“Even as we face tensions, challenges and struggles, there are many exciting things to report: I participated in the chartering of three new congregations - Oakland Fala Maama, Milpitas Genesis, and Berkeley Korean.” “The Bishop’s Confirmation Retreats are still a popular attraction for young people and congregations, he said.” Youth, Camping, and the Volunteers-in-Mission programs are still expanding, Talbert noted.
“Faith/Quest is being well received in congregations, a new task force on Hispanic Ministries has been named to connect the resources of the National Hispanic Plan to the emerging Hispanic Ministries in this Conference. Oakland Downs and Milpitas Genesis serve as leadership centers for the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century initiative.”
“The Walnut Creek sponsored Conference initiative to build a Youth House in Sarajevo is happening.”
“New Fellowship and Ministries are beginning: Citrus Heights Korean Fellowship, Sacramento Wesley Hmong Fellowship, Hispanic Ministry in the Colusa/Glenn Cluster involving Maxwell, Willows, Arbuckle, Colusa and Knights Landing. Financial resources are coming from the San Francisco-Central congregation. Oakland Shattuck has launched a new feeding ministry with the homeless, and an after school ministry with children. Also, the people are envisioning the future of that congregation in the face of uncertain structural problems, forcing worship from the sanctuary to the social hall. Potter Valley has started a new ministry with Senior Citizens, with a grant from Beulah Home Funds. Many congregations are expanding facilities and outreach ministries. San Francisco Jones is leading a Stop the Violence program with Baptist churches in the community. Carlin has grown to the point of supporting a full-time pastor, the first time in modern memory. Sacramento Japanese and Sacramento Florin are constructing new fellowship halls. Firebaugh-Mendota has added a new fellowship hall and kitchen. Los Gatos has 75 members in Christ Care groups; Porterville Grand Ave. has added a new fellowship hall and kitchen. San Francisco Bethany began using the Call to Discipleship after each sermon. New members increased 100% over last year’s intake. The Sparks Tongan group has broken ground to build a new facility on its thirteen-acre parcel of land. Clovis United Japanese Christian has started its new building phase. San Jose Santa Clara Valley gave $60,000 to missions, over and above 100 % giving to apportionments. Visalia has started a Saturday evening Seeker Service averaging over 100 in attendance, with a Kid Zone for children and free pizza. Cone, located in the middle of an orchard along side Hwy.. 99, will break ground to construct its $150,000 multipurpose building. Los Altos gave a $250,000 tithe to Milpitas Genesis. Sanger sponsored a Central San Joaquin Valley Tongan Feast with dancers. The youth group called Sifa’s Crew stole the show. Palo Alto First gave $30,000 to Fremont First Chinese, $30,000 to expand Conference Camping facilities and $30,000 to “Hope for the Children of Africa”, a tithe of its capital funds drive. Yuba City First commissioned five Stephen Ministers on Palm Sunday, increasing their total of fifteen. San Rafael First is reaching out to a fellowship of Fijian Methodists in Marin County to launch a Head Start Ministry. Oakland Rockridge is attacking the problem of housing on several fronts - a new co-housing facility (called) the Mustard Seed Mission, and a transforming ministry with ex-homosexuals. St. Helena raised $12,000 to support a mission project called Women’s Opportunity Fund which empowers poor women to become self-sufficient in more than eighteen countries. Martinez, with other churches, sponsors ten ex-youth offenders to college to give them a chance to break the cycle of drugs and violence. Chico Aldersgate has launched a Fifty Day Adventure program around the theme Celebrate Jesus. Over 100 adults plus youth and children have been meeting in small groups to pray, share, witness and care for each other. These are but a few examples of the vital ministries going on in our congregations.”
About General Conference action on homosexuality and the church, Talbert told Annual Conference Session, “Personally, I still say the position of our church is wrong on this issue. So, I shall continue advocating for change because I believe it is the right and just thing to do. In the meantime, our General Conference has spoken. It is the only body that can speak for our church. So, we must find ways to work together to advance our common mission in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ.”
He noted that the church is not of one mind on homosexuality, and recalled that it was not of one mind on the issues of slavery, race, or the role and place of women. “But the struggle for change continued from within,” he said, “while we maintained our common witness. I suggest the same for us now.”
He quoted jailed Chicago Area Bishop Joseph Sprague following a “stand-in” protest about those General Conference actions. Sprague pleaded for United Methodists to: do no holy union services, not withhold apportionments, any racist or sexist behavior, gambling, heterosexual infidelity, failure to tithe (our) personal money, or reluctance to worship, study and pray regularly, among other things.
Talbert said, “Let’s stop fighting each other; let’s stop hurting each other; let’s stop mistreating and dehumanizing each other; let’s stop thwarting God’s Will for us as we chart our course for the future. Let’s covenant to love each other, even though we have genuine theological and political differences. Let’s covenant with each other to uphold our commitments to our denomination while we continue working for justice for all.”
Talbert added, “We have much to celebrate. We are doing so many good things in our churches, in our communities and through our connection around the world. Even in the face of many difficulties and challenges, we are finding ways to be faithful to the gospel by being in ministry together. Let’s find ways to so better and to live together in peace, even though we have differences,” he said.