The Kerusso – September | 2022 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
From the Desk of Rev. Max Edwards, IGS Our 33rd General Conference concluded in July and all of the folks elected are working on their transitions into office. The members of the General Boards, Committees, Auxiliaries and Departments assume office immediately after General Conference. (EMC Discipline ¶628) We owe a very sincere “THANK YOU” to all of you who have served on these teams for the past 4 years!! God Bless you! And we extend a warm welcome to all of you who have agreed to serve in these roles for the next quadrennium! The time frame is different for the offices of the International General Superintendent, The General Secretary, and the USA Conference Superintendents. The Discipline specifies a 90-day transition period from the date of the conclusion of the General Conference, at which time the newly elected persons take office. (EMC Discipline ¶621) Existing Chairpersons continuing in that role: General Board of Finance: Dr. Fred Guidi General Board of Ministerial Relations: Rev. John Phillips, III General Board of World Missions: Rev. Bill Walker* Gen Board of Youth/Children’s Ministry: Rev. Brian Gordon Department Leaders: Department of Chaplains: Rev. Marc Massie Department of Prayer: Mrs. Judy Edwards Department of Publications: Rev. Brian Hammond Department of Stewardship: Mr. Henry (Butch) Hayes * Multicultural Ministries: The DMM is now integrated into the Board of World Missions. Rev. Lisa Walker has been elected as co-chair of that board. Bill and Lisa will, together, occupy one seat on the General Council.
New Board Chairpersons: General Board of Christian Education: Dr. Joshua Strunk General Board of Discipline Revision: Rev. Sean Scribner General Board of Evangelism: Rev. Kevin Cain General Board of Ministerial Education: Rev. Troy Gentry General Board of Trustees: Mr. Henry (Butch) Hayes Auxiliary Presidents: Evangelical Methodist Women: Mrs. Kenda Calkins Evangelical Methodist Men: Rev. Mark Quiroz General Conference Lay Leader: Mr. Dennis Nail
These folks all deeply covet your prayers. In addition to their functional area of service, the Board Chairs, Auxiliary Presidents, and the Conference Lay Leader all serve on the General Council, which provides key leadership between General Conferences. The exact makeup of the Council is specified in Discipline ¶606. It is a broad representative body made up of local church people serving in the specific roles listed above, along with the elected Superintendents. By its nature and function, it exists to safeguard the denomination by providing accountability and oversight to every elected officer and agency, thereby preserving Biblical integrity, while protecting the interests of our local churches. Our Discipline is clear that “All Boards, Committees, and Departments are amenable and accountable to the General Conference and between General Conference sessions, to the General Council,” (Discipline ¶1102.1) and, “The General Council acts on behalf of the General Conference between sessions …” (Discipline ¶610) But the Discipline also sets appropriate limitations for the Council which include prohibiting the reversal of explicit General Conference action. (See Discipline ¶610) Some have asked about the responsibilities of the Council. Discipline ¶608 describes its scope and authority: 1. Giving direction to the church by presenting creative and practical programs to the General Conference 2. Filling vacancies in the General Conference during the quadrennium 3. Implementing and coordinating General Conference legislation and programs 4. Performing all the normative duties of an executive body 5. Ensuring that our local churches receive minutes of the Council meetings 6. Approving EMC Home Mission Churches and ministries 7. Reviewing and maintaining operational rules and procedures for the Boards, Committees, Departments, and the Cabinet of Superintendents. These rules are “binding for all above mentioned entities.”