The event was hosted by the staff and family of Corbin First United Methodist Church and was preceded by a district dinner and an hour of spirit-filled Praise and Worship. Ed Garr, Minister of Music at Corbin First, directed their Praise Team, Choir, and the congregation in what was a time of preparation, which included musical gifts from pianist Beauford Cisco of Macedonia UMC, the Harlan UMC Men's Barbershop Quartet, and the Johnson sisters from Olive Gilead UMC. District Lay Leader Mike Radford presented Bishop King with a framed artist's print of a Circuit Rider on behalf of the people of the Corbin District and District Superintendent Terry Faris. Radford noted that by his extensive travel throughout the Kentucky Conference, Bishop King was our "Circuit Rider," as he expressed the district's deep appreciation for the Bishop's leadership and care.
Visibly energized from his own recent spiritual retreat, Bishop King reinforced our shared conference vision for effective leadership in all our congregations, and reminded the gathering that our example for effective leadership is Jesus.
"Follow Him!" said King. "And if you follow Him, then our business is doing what disciples do."
And the business of disciples is to "go and make disciples of all nations," by practicing and teaching the values of the faith.
The Bishop instructed that to remain successful in ministry we must seek regular physical and spiritual renewal, the same way Jesus did when he took time apart from the people to rest and to pray.
"When you are weak and tired, you aren't going to be effective," he said. "And when you're worn out, someone is going to get hurt."
"You must reach up, reach in, and then reach out… you must be born again, from above - from God - to be able to give love and joy."
The Bishop closed his message with a call to practice the Ten Timeless Values - Prayer, Scripture, The Lord's Supper, Fasting, Christian Conferencing, Baptism, Witness, Justice Ministry, Sabbath, and Stewardship.
"When you exert the Ten Timeless Values, the result is fruit of the spirit, which is walking like Christ, which produces a Christ-like world."
If you have not yet had the opportunity to participate in one of the Bishop's Hour sessions, the Bishop will be holding the remaining district gatherings on the following dates:
- October 6 - Madisonville District
- October 18 - Louisville District
- October 20 - Lexington District
- October 21 - Owensboro District
If you would like to share a blessing about the Bishop's Hour in your district, please write us at netnews@kyumc.org.
Bishop James R. King, Jr. was presented with this Circuit Rider print by District Superintendent Terry Faris (center) and District Lay Leader Mike Radford (right).
