By Dr. Alyssa Fisher, Director of Communications
At this year’s Clergy Convocation, leaders were reminded that even when you feel broken, God makes us masterpieces called to mend, stir up good trouble, and embody love in the world.
From August 12–14, clergy from across the California-Pacific Conference gathered in Indian Wells, California for a time of worship, learning, and connection.
Opening worship on Tuesday featured a message from Hawaii District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Tom Choi. Centered on Jeremiah 20:7 and 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, DS Choi shared about the art of kintsugi, or the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold. He reminded clergy that while they may at times feel broken, they are called to care for themselves and one another, saying, “We can be a source of repair, uplifting, and restoration to each other.” He encouraged pastors to know themselves, remember their history, develop nunchi, and be “kintsugi artists” for one another. The opening service concluded with anointing one another with oil, encouraging each other that “You are a work of art.”
The week’s keynote speaker, Dr. Ashley Boggan, General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, began her sessions by lifting up the deep Methodist roots in prison ministry and the defense of all people. She challenged the body with a question: “How can we be known as those who stir up good trouble?” Her call was clear: to transform lives, shift focus, and show the world what God’s love looks like. Her first two talks included a discussion on the history of Methodism and our “vile-tality,” or purpose to challenge the status quo to exemplify radical love and social justice.
On Wednesday, Dr. Boggan introduced the Wesleyan practical quadrilateral. The quadrilateral includes field preaching, micro-communities, social engagement, and leadership activation. This long-term ministry strategy can use any of the four quadrants as an entry point. Clergy then experienced this approach, moving from theory into practice through a social engagement and grace group exercise developed by her co-author Rev. Dr. Chris Heckert. Later that day, clergy met with Orders and Cabinet members, and in the evening joined roundtable conversations with leaders of Connectional Ministries on topics ranging from property and communications to immigration and the overall state of the conference.
The convocation concluded on Wednesday with worship led by Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank. Preaching from Ephesians 2:1-10, she reminded clergy that “You are God’s masterpiece.” The event closed with communion, sending clergy back into their ministries with a call to live into their own broken and mended vile-tality.
