The Church: the connection of The Body of Christ
I just returned from the 2026 Horizon Texas Annual Conference: Love Boldly! Each year an equal representation of clergy and lay church leaders come together for holy conferencing which includes worship, workshops, legislation, and the setting of appointments. I’m happy and honored to be appointed once again as our Lead Pastor of FUMC Farmersville.
Annual Conference is one of the only times all year that pastors from all over our conference that stretches across most of Texas get to see each other. Fellowship with other pastors is valued time. When we gather we are reminded of our connectional system. How cool is it that last year I became friends with Al, a pastor brand new to our conference from Africa. This year walking into the enormous convention center in Wichita Falls surveying where to try to find a seat, Al spotted me flagged me down and let me sit next to him. We enjoyed each other’s company most of the first day of business session, in breakout groups we learned from each other’s different experiences. The fact is, I could have sat next to a pastor friend from Korea, but she was busy with her newborn baby, or a clergy friend from Mexico but he was on the phone. On the first recess of the day, I went out in the hallway to talk with Rev. Justin Hancock about his Julian Way ministry with/for disabled Christian leaders. That evening I was blessed to attend a Brite Divinity alumni dinner, reconnecting with seminary friends from 20 something years ago. The following night a diverse class of new clergy members were Commissioned and Ordained. These new clergy persons join a Body of Christ that has parts all over Texas from Wichita Falls to Waco to Fort Worth to Abilene to Amarillo to Plano to Plainview to Detroit to Decatur to Dangerfield to Gainesville to Round Rock to Clarksville to Midland….
This year’s conference was one of the most positive atmospheres I have ever experienced! We joined together in vibrant worship, were informed by hopeful reports, inspired by workshop learning and strengthened by authentic fellowship. Some of the highlights included; passing a balanced budget, passing a resolution against data centers and furthering our commitment to equity for LGBTQ+ members. If you’re curious to learn more about what happened at Annual Conference, I’d be glad to meet you over coffee.