Pastors and parishioners of the Saginaw Bay District, along with the friends and family of the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Maxwell gathered at Christ United Methodist Church in Bay City to celebrate the installation of Maxwell as District Superintendent.
The worship service highlighted the creativity and passion of the district, featuring the Trash Can Band from St. Luke’s UMC and the young streamer dancers from Faith Way Church.
Bishop Jonathan Keaton was on hand to offer words of encouragement to both Rev. Maxwell and the Saginaw Bay District. Keaton also explained to those in attendance how God led him to call Rev. Maxwell into this new ministry.
“Every now and then in this work of responsibility I have the privilege of extending personal calls myself. I do that when I look out and hear the words of superintendents and hear the words of laypersons and hear the words of these district committees on superintendency and what they need when I have to select a new superintendent,” he said.
“And in the midst of all of that information that came to me and looking out at the universe of people in the Detroit Annual Conference, the name by word, by deed, by prayer that came to me was Dr. Jeffery Maxwell.”
Keaton called attention to the many ministry areas in which Rev. Maxwell has served during his tenure and how they will enhance his service as a district superintendent. The Bishop also acknowledged the difficulty of making it through the trials of ministry alone and extended his thanks to God for the wonderful partner that Rev. Maxwell has in his wife, Jan.
Keaton also offered a few words of comfort and encouragement to Rev. Maxwell for those difficult times that may lie ahead, saying, “It’s going to be alright! Not because I am with you, but because God is with you!”
Rev. Maxwell brought the celebration to a crescendo with a message from 1 Corinthians 12. He emphasized the diversity of the district and how important that diversity is to fulfilling their mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world. Those in attendance laughed in approval as Maxwell engaged Keaton to represent the Body of Christ as represented in the scripture that was read.
The congregation was privileged to witness, for the first time, Rev. Maxwell actually “bending” the ear of the Bishop.
On a serious note, Rev. Maxwell included three promises to his new district.
“As I stand before you I am going to make you three promises. Promise number one: I promise to strive to grow in grace and knowledge. Oh Boy! Now is not the time to stop learning. Now is not the time to stop growing,” he said.
“My understanding and experience of the ways and will of God and even of God need to deepen and expand…”
His second promise was geared directly at the unique gifts possessed by each pastor.
“You all have your own personality and preference and gifts package; you have your own unique experiences, and I want to know you. I want to know who you are and the uniqueness that God has invested in you,” he said.
His final promise was focused on building personal relationships with all churches.
“Just as each person is unique, so too is each church. Each church has a culture,” he said. “Each church has unique offerings to the kingdom. I want to know each church.”
Maxwell explained that as the district holds him accountable to these promises he will be able to more effectively utilize the gifts and graces and passion that God has given him.
0 comments:
Post a Comment