Ministers' Convocation
 
The Paradox of Perfection: Our Wesleyan Heritage

Ministers' Convocation ~ April 23-25, 2018
Virginia Crossings Conference Center, 1000 Virginia Center Parkway, Glen Allen, VA, 23059
Leadership
Dr. Rex D. Matthews
Professor in the Practice of Historical Theology and Wesleyan Studies,
Candler School of Theology at Emory University

Dr. Rex D. Matthews draws upon a range of primary sources, including letters, hymns, sermons and diaries, as well as his abilities as a storyteller, to teach history and theology of Methodism at Candler, where he has taught since 1982.

Matthews' research focuses on the life and thought of John Wesley, particularly in his 18th century theological and philosophical context, and on the historical and theological development of Methodism in both Britain and America. His book, Timetables of History for Students of Methodism (Abingdon, 2007), received the 2007 Saddlebag Selection Award from the Historical Society of The United Methodist Church, and was billed as "the best book published during the year on the history, biography, polity or theology of United Methodism." His next project, “Divorce and Remarriage in American Methodism: The Evolution of Church Positions from 1884 to 2012,” has received the Florence A. Bell Research Award from the Drew University Theological School to support his research.
 
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis
Resident Bishop, Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church

Bishop Lewis is a native of Statesboro, Georgia and a lifelong United Methodist. She is a graduate of Mercer University and the University of West Georgia with an undergraduate degree and masters in biology. Before responding to a call to ordained ministry she worked as a biologist in the academic and corporate sectors. Responding to a call to ordained ministry she entered Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta where she earned a Master of Divinity with honors.

Bishop Lewis is the first African American woman elected bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the UMC and one of few bishops elected on the first ballot. Prior to her election as bishop, and assignment to the Virginia Annual Conference, she served the 8,000 member Ben Hill UMC in Atlanta; Powers Ferry UMC in Marietta; Wesley Chapel UMC in McDonough, Georgia where phenomenal growth was experienced in the numbers of disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world. Immediately prior to Bishop Lewis’ election she was serving as the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District Superintendent in the North Georgia Conference.

Her full bio and list of honors and accomplishments can be found at www.vaumc.org/BishopLewis
 
Rev. William H. Lamar IV
Pastor, Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

Rev. Lamar previously served Turner Memorial AME Church in Maryland and three churches in Florida: Monticello, Orlando and Jacksonville. He is a former managing director at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity. Lamar is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Duke Divinity School.
 
Workshops
Wesley’s Sermons Today
Rev. Sangwoo Kim
What does it mean that The United Methodist Church considers John Wesley's sermons its doctrirnal standards? What can preachers and the laity learn from his sermons? This workshop will discuss how Wesley's sermons would still guide the people called Methodists in their journeys toward Christian perfection.
The Rev. Dr. Sangwoo Kim (Th.D., Duke) is a Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Epworth UMC, Durham, NC and most recently, was an adjunct assistant professor of Methodist studies at Duke Divinity School. His academic research focuses on how to intergrate theological studies with the practices of the church.
We Are Not Alone
Rev. Janine Howard
Do you ever wonder if anyone else has “those” ideas/dreams about experimental forms of faith communities? About the support you need to explore those ideas, to bring them to fruition? If so, come join a conversation about contextualized and creative possibilities for our life together.
Rev. Janine Howard recently completed a two-year cohort of the Missional Wisdom Foundation’s “Launch and Lead”. She seeks community on the trail, at music festivals and, on the Danville District, where she currently serves.
Are We There Yet? Embodying Wesleyan Theology
Rev. Dr. Stan Hargraves
In Thoughts on Methodism (August 4, 1786), John Wesley writes concerning Methodists that he feared “lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power”. It’s a well known quote, and it leaves us pondering are we there yet? Are we living into Wesley’s hopes or fears? In an era where we communicate using Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and cell phone apps the church is challenged to find ways of engaging with the flames of social justice and piety that Wesley encouraged Methodists to embody. You are invited to come together for some moments of critical reflection on ways Wesleyan theology can be embodied and emboldened in the 21 century.
The Rev. Dr. Stan Hargraves is an ordained elder serving as the Registrar and United Methodist Advisor at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond.
The People Are Waiting: A Methodist Escape Room
Rev. Lyndsie Blakely
The people are waiting in the fields to hear the vile, new preachers who are challenging the status quo. Use clues and your knowledge of United Methodist history and doctrine to solve puzzles and challenges in this Methodist themed escape room. Complete all the challenges within an hour to escape the room and make it out to the fields where the people are gathered! Space is limited to 12 participants per workshop session, so sign up early!
Rev. Lyndsie Blakely is an ordained deacon serving as Minister of Youth at Farmville United Methodist Church. She is always looking for fun and creative ways to teach and lead the youth in their faith development.