Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball asked that question to begin her first sermon as resident bishop of the West Virginia Area of the United Methodist Church during her service of installation October 13 at Wesley Chapel, on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College. 

The story of Moses and the burning bush from Exodus and Jesus' final instructions to the disciples as relayed in the Gospel of Luke framed her message. Watch the worship service.

Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball preaches her first sermon as resident bishop of the West Virginia Area of the United Methodist Church. Her sermon was part of an Oct. 13 worship service of installation at Wesley Chapel, on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College. Photo: Adam Cunningham

Behavior follows Belief

The bishop cited the example of Moses and the Apostles as biblical characters who embraced change to follow the voice of God. "They had to be the leaders on fire for God," said Steiner Ball. They had to take time to listen, to discern God's voice. "Can you hear the challenge, church? It's to be tuned into God."

 

A Prayer Challenge

Bishop Steiner Ball challenged the West Virginia Conference to join her in prayer every day during lunch to begin the discerning process. She asked that you pray these questions daily:

• Where have I seen Christ at work in the last 24 hours and in what ways can I or the church partner with or support that work?

• In the last 24 hours where has God been at work and I missed it, walked right by, failed to hear God's voice, failed to turn aside?

• End your prayer time by asking God to give you the eyes of Christ, the ears of Christ, and the courage of Christ to risk faithful action in this world.

Read the complete text of the challenge.

 

You can view pictures from the service of installation at flickr.com/wvumc

 

Do you use Twitter? Check out and add to the daily prayer tweets of the bishop's challenge. Use the hashtags #GodStillSpeaks and #wvumc.

 

You can also post comments and thoughts on your prayer discernment at facebook.com/wvumc and on Bishop Steiner Ball's Facebook page

We Remember

Waunita Jean Trickett, 87, of Morgantown, passed away Wednesday October 10, 2012 at Ruby Memorial Hospital. She was born June 27, 1925 in Morgantown a daughter to the late Ira and Pearl Dixon Trickett.