A Theological Movement

Part 1 of 3: Devotion series exploring the theme of the 2024 Virginia Annual Conference.

Opening Note: This year’s theme for the Virginia Annual Conference, the yearly gathering of United Methodists across Virginia, is an interesting one, and one I would like to reflect on in a devotional manner. The theme is “A Conference in Three Movements.”

Bishop Sue defines these three movements by saying:

1. The theological movement from prevenient grace to sanctification. This is the movement of the Holy Spirit in the human heart.

2. The historical movement of Methodism captured in our past, lived in our present, and pointed toward our future. This is the movement of the Holy Spirit in the church.

3. The missional movement from gathered spaces into all the world. This is the movement of the Holy Spirit in community.¹

Over the next 3 weeks I want to reflect on these individually as the members of the Virginia Annual Conference enter and depart from this time of Holy Conferencing. To learn more about this year’s conference gathering, click here.

Reflection: A Theological Movement

Grace: The movement of God’s Spirit in and around.

Filling us with joy, hope, and the promise that one day we will embody the true sense of everything we have received from our creator.

The revolution of the Spirit in the church is that it is not limited in size or space, the Spirit sweeps across all persons. The Spirit resides within each of us, filling us with grace and calling us, not only to holy living, but also to just living. The Spirit offered when nothing else existed to give us life. From the time of creation we hear of the presence of God’s Spirit. It reigned over the formless void and darkness, it offered light to the world, it created a place that we may dwell, and ultimately it was instilled within humanity, offering life.

In the presence of Christ, the Spirit of God became human and showed us just living. It showed us what sanctification could look like when it is lived out in relationship with others in creation. As Paul tells us:

…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…²

It is this peace offered through Christ that instills in us and reminds us of the Spirit’s presence within our lives. Yet, it is the existence of the Spirit on our hearts that calls us to be in deeper relationship with God. As Paul says, “since we are justified by faith…” and in saying lays the foundation for this movement of the Spirit within each of us. Paul has named the beginning of the journey, and in doing so, recalls for us how the pouring of the Spirit fills us and moves us forward in our life in creation and our life of faith. One thing leading to another, pulling us forward in the movement of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

…knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.³

The continual filling of our hearts by God’s grace and mercy, takes us on this theological movement.

Theology: The study of God

Though we should not allow the “academic” nature of this word scare us. Rather when we talk about theological movement we talk about the natural growth in the Spirit we experience in our everyday journey with God. We learn about God as we interact with God’s creation, with God’s people, and with God’s Word.

The spiritual growth that then comes forth is a growth in God’s ultimate plan for humanity and creation. To create heaven here on earth. As God’s people are filled with God’s Spirit, they look more like God in the spiritual sense, and they reflect the work God calls us to do.

To Ponder On:

1. How are we growing and reflecting that image of God within us?

2. Where are we noticing God’s Spirit moving within our hearts for the work of the Kingdom?

Prayer

Holy God, we know it is by the movement of your Spirit within us that we grow in love and grace for your creation. We become more like you, and participate more in your mighty acts of creation. Help us to never forget the movement of your Spirit. Create in us a sense of your Kingdom, that we may continue to see this creation through your vision to be the Body of Christ for a world broken and in need of healing. Call us forward through this movement as your people. AMEN!

1. Expanded area: “Learn more about the theme: "A Conference in Three Movements", found at: vaumc.org/ac2024 on 6/11/24

2. Romans 5:1b, New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

3. Romans 5:3b-5, NRSV