In case you are wondering, you cannot stream college football from South Africa. Also, “ESPN” here only carries soccer. So much for getting to watch games this evening.

However, in truth, I feel like I had my own “4^th and 31” type of moment today (or “kick 6” if that is more your style).

Our committee passed a piece of legislation around educational requirements for clergy on Monday. But it wasn’t quite right. So, we pulled it and brought it back to the committee on Tuesday night. We tried another draft, but it still didn’t address all our concerns. For the next three days, we went back and forth over emails, texts, and hallway conversations. Last night, we thought we had it: something we could all agree upon. However, this morning, we found out we made changes that affected many people outside the United States. So, we spent all day during breaks, lunch, and even during other presentations trying to get it right. We needed to get everyone on board and everything into one big motion. Because you see, on the last day of General Conference, the delegates have exhausted their patience for amendments and speeches.

It was the last session of the 2026 General Conference, and we were all watching the clock. I knew time was running out. Other petitions were ahead of ours. But then, at the last moment, Bishop Jones announced that he was extending time for our session! We were able to get our motion to amend adopted, the petition was passed, and our legislation will now be part of the 2026 Book of Doctrines and Disciplines. It was great to work with so many amazing clergy and laity who were willing to find common ground and pass a viable piece of legislation. I’m so pleased with the work we accomplished this week.

We passed some updates to our social witness, including stronger statements on abortion and a new statement on divorce. I know there were a few others in this area, but honestly I couldn’t track them all because I was trying to get the educational requirements across the goal line.

Our episcopal election process this year was very successful. We elected 5 new bishops and re-elected 3 returning ones. The process was fair and transparent, and, in the end, I believe the Holy Spirit moved in our discernment. Yet, it still needed some revisions, so a new petition was put forward that balanced the best of the systems from 2024 and 2026. The body will still elect bishops at General Conference as general superintendents of the church, with discernment given by each area; however, the Global Episcopacy will now determine what area each elected bishop will serve.

Another important piece we passed was a theological statement on Our Covenant Life Together. This will be an invaluable statement of what it means to live a faithful life and remain accountable to each other. This is a return to the METHOD of Methodist, and I, for one, am thankful that it is now part of who we are.

However, the most significant success of this year’s General Conference was the passage of the Articles of Faith. These doctrinal statements sought to reconcile the former Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith that we inherited from our former denomination. They are a strong statement of what we believe. I especially appreciate the firm stance on Scripture, which is the core reason our denomination was founded. We now understand that “Scripture is true in all that it affirms, totally trustworthy, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice.” This was a crowning moment in what has been an amazing conference.

Since this is my final post from South Africa, I want to say this has been an amazing experience and an honor to represent the North Alabama Annual Conference. The 2024 Convening Conference felt like the start of something new…because it was. The 2026 General Conference felt like we were all finally home. It was a blessing to see the church – the global church – come together to stand with one voice and proclaim to the world, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty.” As we leave here to go back to our own corners of the world, may we never tire of spreading scriptural holiness, and may people be drawn to Christ because of the fire in our lives and the joy that comes from experiencing his grace. Amen.