Focusing on Proclaiming the Mission at the Church Summit

Rev. Alpher Sylvester writes: Our day started with quite a sense of expectation and excitment. This was tempered by a sense of sorrow yet fervent determination to fulfill Bishop McLee's vision. This is the fourth day of our Summit. Our bodies are refreshed from the prior night's dinner, our spirits are somewhat turbulent. We did not debrief the prior evening and after speaking to a few or our members over breakfast we realized there was a sense of discomfort. There was a general feeling that we had not been full participants in the discussions thus far. MCG had dominated the 'presentations' We knew a lot about them but they knew little of us. We sensed the magnanimity of their expectations but knew that we could not speak for GBGM or NYAC. We entered this phase of the discussion with cautious determination.

After devotions we were divided into four groups and were given the charge to do the following
1) Identify three top issues that should be addressed as priority within our partnership.
2) Given the challenges what do we have to offer to each other in this partnership.

The four groups were:
1) Education and Youth/Theological Education
2) Economy, Finance and Investment
3) Health and Sanitation
4) Pastoral Relations, Inter-church Relations

Based of the information reported by the group leaders/secretary, it was evidently intense but structured and productive. Evidence of productive outcomes could be found in the written summations.

The reports were intense and provoked much discussion. Efforts were made to identify 'low hanging fruit' that potentially could be easily picked. Amazingly, the intellectual potential that was present in this forum promised incredible results for the future. It was clearly understood that standardization of process and procedure was mission critical for the partnership's sucess.

(Next steps were identified and timetables agreed upon)

The day was ended with a debriefing. It was felt that our discomfort was resolved. We were very vocal within our assigned groups and had felt that we were heard.

We embarked on a four hour trip to the Coconut Grove Hotel.

Tonight, we retire, after worship, spiritually excited, physically refreshed and with excitement and expectation for another day.