"And the Survey Says ..."

By Pastor Mark McAdow
If you have ever watched Family Feud, you are well aware of the phrase, “And the survey says ...” that Steve Harvey says repeatedly when looking at the big board with the survey results for the question asked.  Last night, I’m glad to report, there was no “Family Feud” at Willow View. Thanks to all of you who came out to hear my presentation about “next step” options for us as the Willow View church family.  We discussed options of remaining an independent local church or considering joining another denomination.  We mentioned options such as the Wesleyan Church, Free Methodist or Nazarene but focused more on our heritage and the “freshest” expression of Methodism in the Global Methodist Church.  We noted there are churches in Enid currently representing the other denominations, but we would be the only GMC in Enid.  We began our time in prayer seeking the mind of Christ and concluded by sharing in the Lord’s Prayer together.  There really was a sweet spirit of unity in the house.

I shared a national news broadcast piece about this new Methodist movement and Bishop Scott Jones’ brief address at the Heartland Summit in Bethany last month where a few of us were represented. He is the one and only active bishop in the GMC.  Two other former UMC bishops have joined the GMC – Bishop Lowery and our former Bishop Robert E. Hayes Jr.  It was sad but informative to learn 5,800 churches across America have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church so far, with many others in the process until the end of the year.  That’s approaching 20% of the UMC in America.  We made the right decision, at the right time, to exit smoothly with the least cost.  Thanks to the great leadership of our Administrative Council and the valiant efforts of our faithful Willow View staff and great lay leadership of Jeff Funk, Bill Shaw and Justin Funk.

I did my best to answer questions last night regarding the GMC and my status as your pastor as well.  The Global Methodist Church is a little over a year old and is preparing for its first official Convening Conference in the fall 2024, though well over 1,900 churches have already joined the GMC on the ground floor including many right here in Oklahoma.  We took no votes, but I did sense the opportunity to survey those who were present last night.  The question was, “As of today, what do you believe the Lord is calling us as the Willow View family to do?”  Three possible responses:  1.  Remain an independent local church, 2.  Make plans to join the Global Methodist Church and 3.  Other:  Please specify.  “And the survey says …”  1-Independent, 1-undecided, 2- delay temporarily and 60 to make plans to join the GMC.

Thanks to everyone who participated last night. Let’s continue to seek the Lord together!  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” -Jeremiah 29:11-13

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
 
Yours in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark