Indiana’s United Methodist Churches Prepare for General Conference Outcomes: A “Town Hall” Meeting with Bishop Trimble

Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.

Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad MIller.

Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.”

To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.

https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/

Welcome to episode 103 of "To Be Encouraged," a special Town Hall edition where we discuss exciting transitions and critical discussions in the Indiana Methodist community. We're joined by esteemed guests Bishop Julius C. Trimble, Rev. Russ Abel, and Rev. Larry Whitehead to dive deep into the heart of all things regarding the United Methodist General Conference coming April 23-May 3, 2024.

In this episode, we bid farewell to Bishop Trimble and learn about the direction Indiana's United Methodist Church is taking. Here are three essential takeaways from our conversation:

1. Leadership and Vision for Indiana:

As Bishop Trimble retires, the search for a new bishop who shares the vision of missional appointment making, combating hunger and homelessness, nurturing local churches, and enhancing the bishop's educational role is paramount. With new leadership commencing on September 1, the Indiana conference places a strong emphasis on discipleship growth, mission engagement, and reinforcing church membership commitment. Our goal remains firm: to make the United Methodist Church synonymous with love, both domestically and worldwide.

2. United Methodist Church's Evolution:

This year's General Conference is a pivotal event for the church, especially in reevaluating the Book of Discipline. The Indiana delegation, including 16 primary and 6 reserve members, is steadfast in its advocacy for regionalization, allowing for a more globally and contextually aligned church. The legislation holds the potential to remove harmful language regarding human sexuality and aims for inclusivity and diverse theological beliefs. We also discussed significant legislative topics such as pension restructuring and missionary support budgets.

3. Community Engagement and Prayer:

We extend our thoughts and prayers to those affected by severe storms in Southern Indiana. This Town Hall reminds us of our sacred duty to be the church not only to our fellow members but also to the broader community. We encourage our listeners to utilize the resources available on the conference website to stay informed about the delegation and proposed legislation. The communication team will ensure real-time updates throughout the conference's proceedings.

As we transition and anticipate the General Conference, we stand united in the mission to multiply the love of Jesus Christ and propagate the good news of the gospel.

Let us know your thoughts on today's Town Hall meeting, and remember, "To Be Encouraged."

Episode 103 was Part 4 of a 4 Part “Preparing for General Conference” Series of Episodes. Please listen to the prior three parts of this series to prepare for the April 23-May 3 General Conference at these links:

Part 1 Episode 100: A Conversation with Rev. Russ Abel; Indiana Annual Conference Delegate to General Conference.

Part 2-Episode 101: A Conversation with Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright; Indiana Annual Conference Delegate to General Conference.

Part 3-Episode 102: A Conversation with Rev. Larry Whitehead; Indiana Annual Conference Delegate to General Conference.

Here are Links Regarding General Conference:

LINKS:

Indiana Conference UMC.

UMC-http://inumc.org/

Northeast District - Indiana Conference UMC

https://www.inumc.org/districts/northeast-district/

General Conference UMC.

UMC-https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/structure/general-conference

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/general-conference-2020