I'm excited to share with you the new strategic focus for the Texas Annual Conference from 2024 through 2028 as we embark on a new journey towards renewal and vitality within the Texas Annual Conference.
We stand at a pivotal moment. It's crucial to align our efforts and chart a new course toward a brighter future. While traditional measures are still important, they no longer fully serve our evolving needs. It's time for a transformation towards a culture of change and growth.
Thrive is more than just a word. Thrive is a beacon of hope and a roadmap to flourishing communities and thriving congregations. The mile markers of Thrive—clarity, witness, abundance, kinship, and joy—are catalysts for change, guiding us towards a more purposeful and impactful existence as we partner with God.
Thrive isn't about numbers or programs; it's about a fundamental shift in our mindset and actions. It's about embracing clarity of purpose and boldly witnessing Christ's love and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's about living each day in abundance, knowing that God provides all we need. Kinship is about building relationships, and joy is the unmistakable presence of purpose and love.
Our journey begins with three initial initiatives: the Parish Project, Laity and Clergy Development, supported by the Moody Permanent Endowment Fund, and Fresh Expressions.
These bold new ways stretch our imagination to reach new people. But remember, these are just the beginning. Each one of us has the power to innovate and create new pathways towards engagement.
Thrive is accessible to every size and location of a congregation, whether large, small, rural, or urban. As we move forward, my prayer is that we embrace the challenges ahead, knowing that even when we deviate, there is an opportunity to learn and grow. Together, we commit to marking our steps toward Thrive, inching closer to a future filled with vitality and purpose.
We are in a season where we have permission to experiment, innovate, and be creative, to take bold risks, and create a new future filled with thriving and flourishing communities. You have my permission and the support of the entire cabinet and district superintendents to be bold and innovative.
We'll not always get it right, but we'll learn every step of the way. Learning in public requires trust and vulnerability as we experiment and learn in real-time. We don't have to have it all figured out, but we must take the next faithful step and learn from each step we take.
My hope is that learning in public will make us more agile, flexible, and adaptive. This journey will help us better understand who we are, articulate our witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and embrace abundance, kinship, and joy in our work.
God has great plans for us as we journey together, with hearts open and spirits aligned towards the transformative power of Thrive. Let's embed these markers of vitality in our everyday life and move towards renewal with purpose.
We have permission to be creative, to innovate, and to take bold risks so that our communities will thrive and flourish. We'll learn and adapt with each step, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
Learning in public might seem daunting, but it requires trust and vulnerability. As we pivot and adapt, we become better dancers with the divine, moving towards a new culture of Thrive. We'll quickly adapt to a clearer understanding of our purpose and witness.
We'll sing with conviction, believing in God's faithfulness and abundance. We'll join others at the feast of God's love, building kinship and experiencing joy in the knowledge that God's steadfast love endures forever.
I cannot wait for us to embed these markers of vitality in our everyday life. Let's embrace the challenges ahead, knowing that even in moments of deviation, we have opportunities to learn and grow. Together, we will mark our steps toward Thrive, moving closer to a future filled with vitality and purpose.
