This week, I rediscovered a prayer by Dag Hammarskjold:

"Give us pure hearts that we may see you: Humble hearts that we may hear you.

Hearts of love that we may serve you.

Hearts of faith that we may abide in you."

I prayed a lot as United Methodist leaders from all over the world met in Tampa, Florida. For nearly two weeks some of the most important issues of our denomination were debated and voted on. What have I learned from watching and listening?

• We are a culturally diverse and at times a deeply divided church. Critical issues were debated and argued but when the conference ended, few of them were resolved.
• We are at our best when we worship together. Even in the midst of our division, our leaders found ways to offer God's grace in the midst of worship.
• Real change and vitality may not come from denominational agencies. Our real vitality comes from our local churches, pastors and laity with a passion for connecting with and serving God. 
• Two relatively new communication tools dramatically increased participation. Live streaming allowed anyone to watch. Twitter allowed everyone to provide feedback.

One tweet said it all: "You can't legislate some of the change we need. It needs to come from the hearts of the people in our pews and pulpits." Everything comes back to our belief in the power of prayer.

"Give us pure hearts that we may see you: Humble hearts that we may hear you.

Hearts of love that we may serve you.

Hearts of faith that we may abide in you."

In the midst of praying and watching events in Tampa, I met a new pastor moving to our area. Rev. Sung Woon Yoo introduced himself and his family. Then he presented a plan for ministry to a church he will soon serve. He called the plan: "Worship Centered S.E.A.D. Ministry."

S: serving, sampling, saving, sharing, singing.

E: exampling, empowering, encouraging, enhancing.

A: adorning, adjusting, applying, applauding, active.

D: discipling, discussing, directing, discerning.

"S.E.A.D." could be a formula for us all from local churches to General Conference.

Jesus said to Peter in the last chapter of John, "Feed My sheep." Then Jesus told him, "Follow Me." (Parts of John 21:17-19) "Feed my sheep. Follow Me." Strong words. Impossible words.

We are a church deeply divided. We can be arrogant and loud. We can be cruel at times. Yet, through the power and grace of Jesus Christ, we can also be compassionate, loving, giving, forgiving, kind, encouraging, sharing, discerning and empowering.

"Give us pure hearts that we may see you: Humble hearts that we may hear you.

Hearts of love that we may serve you.

Hearts of faith that we may abide in you."