A New Brand

By Pastor Tom Anderson

It’s official! As of July 1 Thrive Church is affiliated with the Global Methodist Church. The Global Methodist Church is a new and growing denomination rooted in the Wesleyan tradition. As a local movement of the Global Methodist Church, we are excited to continue to partner with God's mission in our community and world as we make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. To learn more about the Global Methodist Church visit www.globalmethodist.org.

We are in a season of change, having left one connection and entered another. The past year has been difficult; we have been on a journey through the wilderness. We lament the divisions in God’s church–divisions which are a result of human sinfulness. We long for the day when all the followers of Jesus, all over the world, might know unity in Christ.

We can give thanks for the good work of God in our midst through our connection to the United Methodist Church over the last 50 years. We remember all the good that God has done through the people called United Methodists. We pray God’s blessings upon all the congregations who remain United Methodist. There is pain in saying goodbye to the denomination that we called home. There is joyful anticipation in joining a new movement of the Holy Spirit called the Global Methodist Church. It is a time to say thank you for the past and yes to the future.

We have a new district, Michigan District #17. I’ve been asked to serve as the Presiding Elder of this group of churches. We have a new Annual Conference–the Great Lakes Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Visit greatlakesgmc.org. We are approaching 200 churches in the new Conference. We are planting a brand new congregation in the Keweenaw. We have hit the ground running! I must confess it feels like we’re also trying to get dressed at the same time!

As we look ahead, to where God is leading us, to the future that God’s Spirit is calling us into, we pause for a moment, and reflect on God’s forgiveness, a forgiveness that knows no denominational lines, a forgiveness that is given to all who call upon the Lord. We remember that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. This proves God's love for us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

Prayer:

Father God, we humbly lay Thrive Church and the newly formed Global Methodist Church at your feet, knowing that it is your church, not ours. Lord Jesus, you said that you would be lifted up and would draw all people to you. Transform your church into a community where every tribe, language, and nation worships before the throne. Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit to serve you faithfully in this world. Amen.