A Future with Hope: Reflections on the Recent GMC Conference for Young Leaders

Photo by Matt Reynolds

Given the uncertainty and complexity of building a brand new denomination, I have at times found myself taking a wait-and-see approach with the Global Methodist Church. I’m certain that some of my pain from past denominational dysfunction has contributed to that hesitancy. Not dissimilar to the way one has trouble sharing one’s heart with another person after a bad breakup, I have sensed in myself and others some reluctance to feel too much affection for a denomination that has even a shred of similarity to that which we just left. But something has shifted for me in recent months. Having seen up close the way things are taking shape I can say now with all sincerity that I have never been more hopeful and confident in the future of the Global Methodist Church. In particular after witnessing the way the Spirit was poured out while serving on the leadership team for the first GMC event specifically created for young clergy and ministry leaders, I am truly excited about what lies ahead. No doubt there will be bumps along the road and difficulties to navigate. Nothing good comes without a cost. But we are in good hands. And I have found a spiritual family that shares a common heart for the world and a deep commitment to our Wesleyan faith.

The 2:42 Conference, named for Acts 2:42, took place April 8-10, 2024, in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Participants included college students considering ministry, seminary students, pastors in their 20s and 30s, and a few middle-aged leaders like me. As a 40 year old, I'm pretty sure it's the first time I have been one of the older ones in a room full of Methodists!

A time of surrender and prayer following one session at the 2:42 Conference. (Photo by Dianne Burnett)

The gathering was originally conceived by Bishops Scott Jones and Mark Webb who then invited into leadership Jessica LaGrone (GMC Transitional Leadership Council Member and Asbury Seminary Dean of Chapel), along with a planning team made up primarily of young clergy. The conference was sponsored by generous donors in order to make it accessible for its young target audience. Approximately 164 participants from around the country traveled to the beautiful mountains of North Carolina for this special retreat.

The conference was filled with a mixture of worship, prayer, preaching, and plenary speakers. Session topics included: ministry calling, the inner life of leaders, Spirit-filled living, making disciples, and leading with vision. A variety of breakout sessions on practical ministry areas were also offered.

In addition to these teaching sessions, throughout the three-day conference there were five different services of worship and preaching. It was striking that all of the preachers selected for these services were young GMC clergy themselves. Rather than inviting the “heavy hitters” who often speak at conferences, young leaders poured into their peers. This unique approach led to a poignant glimpse into the heart of those who will be leading this denomination into the future. In this sense, it was not a conference done for young people, but rather a conference with young leaders speaking into their own generation. Bishops and a few outside speakers were scattered throughout the time, but the tone was set by those in their 20s and 30s who will be leading the church for decades to come.

What struck me most about this time were the consistent themes that echoed throughout. The Holy Spirit brought such a sense of unity to those that shared and even among all the sidebar conversations I participated in and overheard. Here are the most consistent themes that I noticed being lifted up by these young leaders:

Surrender and Sacrifice. This much is clear: younger Christians want to give their lives to something costly. There is no patience or desire for half-hearted, milquetoast Christianity. If these young GMC pastors have anything to say about the days ahead, Methodism will not be a polite movement offering a tame church to the world. They possess a deep longing to lay down their lives in service to a bold, earth-shaking movement.

Hunger for the Holy Spirit. John Wesley regularly had to combat accusations of enthusiasm due to the way the manifest presence of God shaped early Methodist gatherings. Likewise at the 2:42 Conference I repeatedly heard and saw leaders who were hungry to see the Holy Spirit at the center of life and ministry. There is a real yearning to see Methodism recover some of its early power. Worship throughout the conference was passionate and Spirit-filled. Young leaders clearly are interested in a faith where God is more than an idea to support human effort. They believe God still moves with miraculous power.

Great Commission Focus. There was a consistent emphasis on making disciples and allowing Jesus’ call in Matthew 28 to be the center of focus for the church. There was significant talk about recovering the evangelistic fervor and intentional discipleship of early Methodism.

Spiritual Family. It was amazing the sense of connection that developed among the group in such a short amount of time. Young leaders are looking for a spiritual family. Talk of deep relationships, the need for intentional connection between generations, and the calling of the church to provide authentic community were common refrains. In addition, this conference was unique in that attendees were welcome to bring their families. The beautiful sound of squeals from little children reinforced an atmosphere focused more on family than polish.

Authenticity and Simplicity. Young leaders are not interested in the bloated institutions of the past. The very first speaker, a young woman currently in seminary, talked about young people needing less, not more. There were repeated themes of getting back to the basics, pursuing a simple life in Christ, and ensuring all we do is authentic. The “bigger is better” motif of recent decades during the church-growth era has completely died with this generation. Young leaders, inundated with endless options and limitless entertainment, seem to long for a church far simpler and less busy.

I find these themes encouraging as I think about the future of the church. There is something beautiful about the thought of recovering a simple but costly Gospel and offering it to the world with boldness and sacrificial living. Certainly in the West a post-Christian culture is desperate for this sort of genuine yet fiery form of Christianity.

One thing was noticeably absent from the 2:42 Conference. I cannot recall a single mention of any sort of church politics or hot-button issues from the main platform. Young leaders are not naive to the fact that the GMC emerged out of a difficult church divide, but among emerging generations this movement is forming around a passion for something, not around what we are against. There seems to be absolutely no stomach for the GMC playing a part in secular culture wars. Instead, I witnessed a deep passion to focus entirely on Spirit-filled evangelism and discipleship, offering Jesus and the fullness of the transformed life he offers to a broken world.

A college student and youth pastor from Ohio, Ashley Kirby, said this about her experience: “The renewal of hope. That is how I would describe the 2:42 Conference. Participants showed up weary and carrying heavy burdens of hurt, but they left filled with vision, encouragement, and a new-found hope for what's to come.”

Luke Whitehead, a GMC pastor from North Carolina, described it this way: 

I attended the 2:42 Conference and I must confess my heart was not merely strangely warmed; my heart was filled and overflowed from the God of hope as we devoted ourselves to powerful teaching, shared fellowship, feasting at the Table, and praying together as a family. God's Spirit was present in leading us during those days to band together that our hearts might be perfect towards God, knowing with full confidence, his heart is perfect toward us. Be assured, there is a generation of young clergy in the GMC who are yearning for the manifest presence of Jesus in the local church, that the local church might manifest the presence of Jesus to her local community.

Bishop Scott Jones noted, “Even though I was part of the planning for the 2:42 Conference, I was overwhelmed by the spiritual maturity of young leadership in the preaching, prayer, worship, and teaching of the event. God has clearly raised up some wonderful young leaders in the GMC. I was blessed to be part of it.”

I do not know what all is in store for the Global Methodist Church, but I know that if the spiritual DNA of this new movement is anything like what I experienced this past week at the 2:42 Conference we have much to be excited about. The future of the church is in good hands. And as these emerging leaders help us recover our roots, I believe a simple yet powerful Methodist church will emerge. These young leaders are not content to play games and manage dead institutions. They are hungry to see the church fully alive, offering the whole Gospel to a hurting world. I am praying that all of us in the GMC heed their voices and follow them into a renewed Methodism full of hope.

Matt Reynolds is the founder and President of Spirit & Truth, a church-equipping, resourcing, and missions ministry based out of Dayton, Ohio. Firebrand is a ministry of Spirit & Truth.