Fresh Wisdom During Annual Conference 2023

This year’s Rio Texas Annual Conference 2023 theme was “Never Alone / Nunca Solos” (Matthew 28:20). This is part of the Great Commissioning passage. This Bible Verse is inspiring for me and many faithful servants who feel called to ministry, either ordained or as lay persons, around the world. It was timely for many reasons, but the main reason was disaffiliation. I am still processing the grief of losing partners and friends in ministry and losing local communities of faith. I knew a few of them personally. However, just the thought of losing the wealth of history in each congregation made my heart heavy.

The theme helped me focus while I mourned. I am hopeful because of the call from God to go and make disciples everywhere—it is fresh, it is true, and it is solid. I have work to do, and I do not have to do it by myself. I have God’s love and power; as well as those who walked before, with, and ahead of me. This year I had the blessing to witness firsthand the planning of Annual Conference.

The Cabinet and conference leadership thought it would be a good idea to host a panel conversation. Along with Rev. Karen Horan, I was asked to put together a group of people who would talk about Young Adult Ministry. We came up with the general goal of this panel, how the local congregation can better connect, equip, and empower better young adults in their area. I shared the ideas with Rev. Todd Salmi, Rev. David McMinn, and Rev. Todd Jones. They suggested that instead of having a pastor or Campus Minister craft the questions and lead the panel, we will empower actual students to select the questions and plan the format.

We were blessed to invite Anna Shipley (Perkins Seminarian, Rio Texas UM Army Regional Director, and Contemporary Director of Worship at Covenant UMC Austin), Isabella Lopez (Youth Director at Colonial Hills UMC San Antonio, Las Misiones District Coordinator, and Summer Camp Director), Hanna Hoffman (United Campus Ministry at Texas State University Associate Director for Campus Ministry), Raja Banks (Graduated from Huston-Tillotson University, second-year summer intern at St. John UMC Austin), and Avery Delleney (Student and intern in Pastoral Care at United Campus Ministry at Texas State University).

To prepare, they gathered over Zoom and in-person. We only gave them the time frame and goal for the panel, and they had very deep and meaningful conversations. They shared their common experiences and what they are passionate about. I was there learning and witnessing disciples willing to take a risk for God’s kingdom.

The young adults presented at Annual Conference shared meaningful questions and practical ideas. If you missed it, you can watch the video from Plenary III. They reminded us to ask young adults in your community:
•    What they are passionate about?
•    What brings them joy to their life?
•    How can I pray with you this week?

The young adult panelists remind us that all young adults are different. Young adults can be in different life stages: not everyone is in college. Not every ‘twentysomething’ is comfortable interacting with children or teenagers. Some want to connect with older people, receive advice, or become a mentor. They want to be invited to events you host and be connected to a community who cares about their well-being. Most importantly, they want to be part of a community.

When the panelists answered the question of “How can the church empower you?” there were a couple of answers that left me in awe.

Isabella shared a story of a friend who recently graduated from college and was coming back home. She said her friend wanted to learn how to live out their membership vows, how he can pray, serve, and offer his gifts in a way that makes a difference in their church but also in their daily life. It sounded to me he wanted a church mentor—not to tell him what to do—but to walk alongside other church members and discover how they put their faith in action. He wanted to feel the confidence that someone was there to support him when he made a mistake, celebrate a milestones, and pray with him.

The panelists encouraged churches to invest in all young adults without the fear that they may leave. When we as a church disciple a young adult and she or he leaves—we are investing in another community, we are investing in God’s Kingdom. We are being generous by sharing our wisdom, time, and values to wherever this person goes. They will carry everything they received from the home church, and they will bless the places where they go. Sounds to me like they understand connectionalism better than I do. In other words, we disciple each other not only for our own gain or add to our membership church number—we disciple to fulfill the Great Commission and to expand the kingdom of God everywhere God leads them.
 
I got the opportunity to experience how I am not alone. The panel was the result of cooperation and empowerment of young disciples. It made me remember that all are called and, in these young people, we have a great opportunity to continue to learn and to walk hand-in-hand. Never alone. We have Christ’s power and grace, and each other’s wisdom. I thank the students, the multiple pastors who made this experience rich and possible. My prayer is that we seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom to empower and walk alongside youth, young adults and people who are normally overlooked. Nunca solos!!

Written by Rev. Miguel Padilla