A Pastoral Letter to the United Methodist Church from the President of the Council of Bishops
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up
To the Faithful Disciples of Jesus Christ who are the People of the United Methodist Church,
I read this passage of Scripture on our Day of Prayer, in St. Louis. I then reflected on these words with the Council of Bishops on the day after the Special Session of the General Conference, and I share them with you. In a time of division and challenge, with “fightings and fears, within, without”, we are in need of healing. The healing ministry of Jesus takes pain and suffering seriously. The scripture calls for the elders of the church to pray and anoint. In the ancient spiritual traditions, anointing is about setting apart and healing, receiving power and gaining courage.
Every church I have known in my life has had spiritual elders, mature spiritual leaders who care for the body, that is the people God has called together in a place. I pray
James does not call us to identify the sins of one another. He calls us to confess our sins to one another, and to pray for one another, so that we may be healed. Our mutual prayer and confession
Through the power of the cross and the flame of the Holy Spirit, God demonstrates his love for all. May we be a means of grace to one another in these days.
The Peace of the Lord,
Kenneth H. Carter, Jr.
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church