Three representatives from the Horizon Texas Conference traveled to Calgary, Canada, to join United Methodists from around the world at the United Methodist Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering. Among them was Rachel Shipley Blackwell, a lay leader from St. John's United Methodist Church in Lubbock. The group worshiped, built relationships and talked about the future of the church, according to the conference.
In a new episode of the conference's podcast, hosts Rev. Daniel Hawkins and Rev. Kristin Warthen asked Blackwell about her trip. She described what it was like to spend time with people from many different backgrounds. She also discussed her group's work on helping younger generations take leadership roles in the church. The conversation then turned to how local congregations can make room for new voices and ideas, and how they can move through change together.