May 27-31, 2007, The Woodlands, Texas

"Passionate Worship: Encounters with the Holy" was the theme of the 2007 session of the Texas Annual Conference. The Holy Spirit led 2,400 members and guests in moments of extravagant generosity and passionate worship.

Impromptu offerings for global mission, laying on of hands in prayer for all those in ministry, worship services and business sessions all offered conference attendees opportunities to encounter the holy.

During her Episcopal Address, Bishop Janice Riggle Huie announced 13 churches will be started in the coming year in Tyler, Port Arthur, Houston and surrounding suburbs. Several of the new church starts target specific demographics such as young adults, the formerly incarcerated and Hispanic worshippers.

Another highlight was the extravagant generosity of participants following a Nothing But Nets presentation, which transformed one pastor's $20 donation into nearly $500,000 in offerings and pledges.

"I think the spirit was moving among the clergy and laity of the Texas Annual Conference in a powerful way," Huie said. "People are excited to be a part of changing lives and reshaping futures for Jesus Christ."

Among the most discussed resolutions of annual conference were those dealing with Lakeview Methodist Assembly and the representation of youth on the team that plans conference camping. The 2006 restructuring of the conference placed the planning of camps under the nine-member Conference Council on Youth Ministry and the four-member Age-Level and Camping ministry team in the Center for Congregational Excellence. The resolution proposed the council be expanded to include 27 members - three from each district - with districts nominating two youth and one adult and with the final selection resting with the conference nominations committee.

"Emotionally, most of us just want to give power to the kids," said the Rev. Steve Wende of First United Methodist Church in Houston during the May 30 business session. "Lift them up and let them take control." 

An amended resolution was passed calling for youth in the districts to make the final selection of the district representatives.

Also garnering much attention was a resolution calling for a task force to develop a long-term vision and plan for Lakeview Methodist Assembly.

"We want to see the goals and dreams that have always been there for Lakeview to grow," said the Rev. Von Dawson, Lakeview director. "Let's look at this and see can we make Lakeview better. Can we serve more people? Can we do better things as we expand who we are for all youth and persons around our nation?"

The resolution passed and the task force will consist of Lakeview board members, Core Leadership Team members, district camp coordinators and at-large representatives to give voice to youth and disabled populations.

The conference also passed resolutions to:

• Establish a Disability Awareness Sunday;
• Amend the sexual ethics policy for response teams;
• Outline procedures for endorsing episcopal candidates; and
• Establish an assessment process for all areas of the Model for Ministry, in keeping with the conference key drivers of fruitfulness and accountability.

Bishop Huie ordained 17 elders and three deacons and commissioned 17 probationary elders. There were 11 retirements.

Lay delegates elected to the 2008 General Conference are: Don House, College Station; Gil Hanke, Nacogdoches; Andy Hernandez, Montgomery; Gib Walton, Houston; Sam Daffin, Houston; Ewing Werlein Jr., Houston; John W. Worsham, Houston; Mary Reed, Madisonville; Leah Taylor, Houston; Tom Wussow, Kingwood; and Ruth Palmer, Houston.

Clergy delegates elected to General Conference are: Jimmy M. Welch, Kingwood; James W. "Jim" Foster, Houston; Morris Matthis, Sugar Land; W. Earl Bledsoe, College Station; Stephen P. Wende, Houston; Elijah A. Stansell, Houston; Bettie Jo Hightower, Houston; Frank Alegria, Beaumont; L. James Bankston, Houston; Chappell Temple, Houston; and Gail Ford Smith, Missouri City.

Lay delegates elected to the South Central Jurisdiction Conference are: Bill Coons, Port Neches; Donna Schlitt, Houston; Sue Sullivan, Texarkana; Dennis Fowler, Houston; William Luton, Houston; Lee Carson, Flint; Virginia Gill, Dickinson; William Brown, Katy; Beverly Deerhake, Houston; Donel King, Houston; and Thebe Worden, Baytown.
 
Clergy delegates elected to the South Central Jurisdiction Conference are: Charles B. Simmons, Houston; Nancy Kellond, Montgomery; Matt Idom, Bryan; Donald Waddleton, Pasadena; Edmund Robb, The Woodlands; Kenneth Levingston, Houston; W. Gerald Neff, Longview; Christi Conway, Longview; Keith Whitaker, Lufkin; Charles Millikan, Pearland; and William R. Taylor, Conroe.

Membership stands at 285,652, up 2,035 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 105,877, down 2,392. Church school attendance stands at 108,908 up 6,653.

-Eleanor L. Colvin