tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post4372258893225419243..comments2024-03-22T08:29:51.173-05:00Comments on UM & Global: How much Methodist structure is necessary globally?David W. Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17024204453848260271noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-27401303789084314742018-04-26T08:08:15.227-05:002018-04-26T08:08:15.227-05:00Besides the "charity boys," the aborted ... Besides the "charity boys," the aborted Council, and the book agent, early American Methodism lacked a robust infrastructure. True, it had bishops, PEs, and a series of conferences. However, these were closely tied to itineration and existed to facilitate the primary mission. In today's ecclesial environment, some view the infrastructure as the leading partner in mission. How much infrastructure does the UMC need to accomplish its primary mission? Have aspects of the infrastructure become a distraction to our primary mission? Perhaps, we have a burgeoning infrastructure because we have experienced mission creep. If the main mission of the UMC is to make disciples and if local congregations are the main place where disciple-making takes place, then the infrastructure must serve the local churches as it facilitates the main mission. In my opinion, the African connection can serve as a corrective to the American connection in this regard. Because they are at a different place in their development, they are more focused on evangelism, growing the local community of faith, and a social witness that is tied to their main identity. The western infrastructure and the vast amounts of money associated with it are an unnecessary distraction to the African connection at this time.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14141558221519018805noreply@blogger.com