I met our incoming Bishop while attending the Southeast Jurisdictional Conference held last week at Lake Junaluska, NC. Bishop David Graves has been assigned to the Tennessee-Kentucky Episcopal Area, which will include the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, the Kentucky Conference, and the Central Appalachian Missionary Conference. He officially begins his four-year tenure on September 1st.

My opportunity to interact with him lasted about 60 seconds, but in that time I made sure he was aware of the good work of the United Methodist Foundation and Development Fund for the TWKC. I am thankful to Amy Hurd, our conference Director of Communications, for capturing the moment.

When I first saw this image, for some reason my thought was, “Those two guys look a little too eager and excited. Wonder if they both know what they’ve gotten themselves into?”. When something is fresh, new, untested, and untasted our eagerness comes from an idea more than a reality. The idea of doing something is appealing because it is a door God has opened for us, even if we don’t yet know the reality we will discover once we cross the threshold.

Now there is no doubt that Bishop Graves is already fully aware of and knowledgeable of the realities of life as an Episcopal leader. He has already served in this capacity for two quadrennium’s. Those eight years, and especially the last four, have let him know that the United Methodist Church faces a variety of challenges regardless of where we live, attend, and serve, in whatever conference, district, or local church. Bishop Graves’ new appointment is also a “three-point charge” in that he will be shepherding three annual conferences simultaneously. Yet, he told us when he was introduced that he is excited to be our Bishop and eager to get started! I also enter my new role with the Foundation and Development Fund with equal eagerness!

So where does this eagerness come from despite knowing we are in the midst of uncertain times?

For people of faith, I believe it comes from knowing that the expectations haven’t changed. God is still asking us to use the gifts and graces we have been given to the best of our ability. The idea of being an effective leader is tied to the reality that we must first be a devoted follower…a focused, faithful, and yes eager disciple of Jesus Christ.

Our eagerness is often tempered because we are afraid we will be held as a prisoner to the expectations. God will set before us high standards in Christ, and yes living into them can be scary. But as Paul writes in Philippians 1:15-21, God will be able to discern if our intentions are for our own gain or because we are willing to go where Christ is leading us. In that moment, we are released try our best. In that freedom, we are able to serve with eagerness!

15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16 These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will result in my deliverance. 20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

May we all live, lead, and love as we eagerly embrace the expectations God puts before us to defend, proclaim, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.