Friends,
It has been difficult to try to blog over the past 48 hours, as my heart continues to ache over decision made by the General Conference most recently. While some of the General Conference's decision have been good and uplifting, those are overshadowed by those which I believe do not follow the way and teachings of Christ.
The actions of the General Conference which continue to exclude and harm our GLBTQ folks. The new Plan UMC for our general church structure eliminates the General Commissions on the Status and Role of Women and Religion and Race. These two monitoring and advocacy agencies have done amazing work to promote the value of women and persons of color on every level of church life. The centralization of general church power and authority in the person who will occupy the new position of Executive General Secretary is frightening, and leaves the denomination more vulnerable to corruption. The elimination of guaranteed appointment for ordained elders makes it increasingly difficult for persons of color, women, people from "other" cultures, to receive an appointment where folks will give that pastor a chance to establish relationships which will positively effect the ministry of the church and the pastor.
I celebrate the gracious way in which "demonstrations" were handled yesterday, and pray that we will be as gracious again today. Please pray fervently for our church! May be way of Christ be seen and the love of Christ prevail.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Wednesday May 2
Here we are in the middle of the week of plenary sessions at General Conference!
I had a surprise last evening when the secretary of the General Conference announced the 20th anniversary of my marriage to Birney Kellogg. We spent part of our honeymoon at the 1992 General Conference in Louisville, KY, where Sister Spirit was one of the musical groups!! It hardly seems like it has been 20 years since then!
Yesterday, I spent the lunch time listening to five of UMPH and Cokesbury authors speak about their latest writings. Bishop Schnase offered some especially profound words as he reminded us that the median age in the UMC (US, I think) is 59, and the median age in US society is 33. That means that the leaders making decisions for our church are almost two generations removed from those with whom the church needs to be relevant. At General Conference, he reminded us, we work on matters within the church, rather than sharing the gospel with the world. We are too often focused on blaming and gaming, rather than on using the nuances of our organization to change the world for Christ, as we employ scripture and Wesleyan theology. We need to pray for a leadership initiative which breaks from the deadlock that tradition has placed upon us. Rather than building on our tradition, we are sometimes held captive by it, and those who work to preserve what has always been.
Today's deliberations were quite discouraging to me. We were expected to take action on major items of denominational restructuring without having the necessary details before us. The request was made for accurate numbers (members of boards, etc...) and financial implications. But those would not be provided to us. I was seeking not to know the advantages of any group or geographical region, but rather the implications for the denomination as a whole.
While my angst is growing, my hope is Christ is still very much alive and vibrant. Please continue to pray for the United Methodist Church as this work continues!
I had a surprise last evening when the secretary of the General Conference announced the 20th anniversary of my marriage to Birney Kellogg. We spent part of our honeymoon at the 1992 General Conference in Louisville, KY, where Sister Spirit was one of the musical groups!! It hardly seems like it has been 20 years since then!
Yesterday, I spent the lunch time listening to five of UMPH and Cokesbury authors speak about their latest writings. Bishop Schnase offered some especially profound words as he reminded us that the median age in the UMC (US, I think) is 59, and the median age in US society is 33. That means that the leaders making decisions for our church are almost two generations removed from those with whom the church needs to be relevant. At General Conference, he reminded us, we work on matters within the church, rather than sharing the gospel with the world. We are too often focused on blaming and gaming, rather than on using the nuances of our organization to change the world for Christ, as we employ scripture and Wesleyan theology. We need to pray for a leadership initiative which breaks from the deadlock that tradition has placed upon us. Rather than building on our tradition, we are sometimes held captive by it, and those who work to preserve what has always been.
Today's deliberations were quite discouraging to me. We were expected to take action on major items of denominational restructuring without having the necessary details before us. The request was made for accurate numbers (members of boards, etc...) and financial implications. But those would not be provided to us. I was seeking not to know the advantages of any group or geographical region, but rather the implications for the denomination as a whole.
While my angst is growing, my hope is Christ is still very much alive and vibrant. Please continue to pray for the United Methodist Church as this work continues!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Tuesday at General Conference
What to write, dear friends! The General Conference is slowly getting to the legislation which is most controversial. That is of course the legislation which has the greatest impact on the denomination, conferences, and local churches. In a group this large, it is a challenge to carry on meaningful conversations which foster relationships of understanding our common bond in Christ. Now is when I realize the tremendous benefit of the subcommittees which met together last week! There, conversations were geared toward understanding and learning how very different people can walk side-by-side as members of the body of Christ which we call the United Methodist Church.
I pray that we would have that same spirit today as we, in this enormous body, endeavor to worship and do God's work, the business of the General Conference.
I pray that we would have that same spirit today as we, in this enormous body, endeavor to worship and do God's work, the business of the General Conference.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday evening worship
Worship last evening offered an amazing variety of celebration of anniversaries, ministries, God at work!
We shared the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Communities of Shalom, begun at the 1992 General Conference, during which riots broke out in Los Angeles. The Commission on the Status & Role of Women celebrates it's 40th anniversary. This monitoring and advocacy commission was started at the impetus of United Methodist Women. It is also for 100th anniversary of the inclusion of laity as delegates to the General Conference.
We also heard reports of the fabulous ministries associated with our four focus areas:
New Leaders for the Global Church
New Congregations in New Places with New People
Ministry with the Poor
Eradicating Killer Diseases
Many of our youngest members are leading the way in reaching out in these areas.
We also heard about the beginning of the 20/20 Visioning for the eradication of HIV/AIDS. Without this we have a "genocide of indifference." But United Methodists have heard the cry of those with HIV/AIDS, and are responding with ministry.
We also celebrating 20 years of Africa University and the fabulous Christian Education offered there.
Lastly, we celebrated the 100 years of Girl Scouting, and Boy Scouting. Two Good Shepherd medals were presented to Boy Scouts.
This morning we begin plenary deliberations on items which will come to the floor for deliberation. Please keep us in your prayers.
We shared the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Communities of Shalom, begun at the 1992 General Conference, during which riots broke out in Los Angeles. The Commission on the Status & Role of Women celebrates it's 40th anniversary. This monitoring and advocacy commission was started at the impetus of United Methodist Women. It is also for 100th anniversary of the inclusion of laity as delegates to the General Conference.
We also heard reports of the fabulous ministries associated with our four focus areas:
New Leaders for the Global Church
New Congregations in New Places with New People
Ministry with the Poor
Eradicating Killer Diseases
Many of our youngest members are leading the way in reaching out in these areas.
We also heard about the beginning of the 20/20 Visioning for the eradication of HIV/AIDS. Without this we have a "genocide of indifference." But United Methodists have heard the cry of those with HIV/AIDS, and are responding with ministry.
We also celebrating 20 years of Africa University and the fabulous Christian Education offered there.
Lastly, we celebrated the 100 years of Girl Scouting, and Boy Scouting. Two Good Shepherd medals were presented to Boy Scouts.
This morning we begin plenary deliberations on items which will come to the floor for deliberation. Please keep us in your prayers.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday at General Conference
This is a Sabbath Day. By virtue of legislation passed earlier, there are no committee or plenary sessions today. Many local churches are being blessed by the presence and preaching of our bishops. The Commission on the Status and Role of Women will be celebrating their 40th anniversary during worship at 10 a.m. Special speakers are coming to designated venues, including Dr. James Cone. It is another warm and humid day. So some folks are observing part of their Sabbath on the beach!
The Legislative Committees have now completed their work. After three intensive days of dealing with controversial legislation, I am glad to have a Sabbath! My spirit was more than a little bruised by the time we finished last evening. Some were rejoicing. Some were shattered. Many of us were left wondering why Christians cannot love all others in ways that show the respect, hospitality, grace, and depth of our Christ. I still hold to nuggets of hope that progress is being made and that Christ way and love will someday reign.
I am looking forward to attending the CSRW worship, lunch with cherished friends, and the Africana Banquet this evening. In between all of that, I may catch a nap and a swim in the pool. That should refresh me for the week to come.
The Legislative Committees have now completed their work. After three intensive days of dealing with controversial legislation, I am glad to have a Sabbath! My spirit was more than a little bruised by the time we finished last evening. Some were rejoicing. Some were shattered. Many of us were left wondering why Christians cannot love all others in ways that show the respect, hospitality, grace, and depth of our Christ. I still hold to nuggets of hope that progress is being made and that Christ way and love will someday reign.
I am looking forward to attending the CSRW worship, lunch with cherished friends, and the Africana Banquet this evening. In between all of that, I may catch a nap and a swim in the pool. That should refresh me for the week to come.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Legislative Committees begin their work
Well, our legislative committees have been hard at work today. Some have split up into sub-committees in order to care for the large volume of resolutions and petitions. Some committees have begun to take action on pieces of legislation already. Those should be recorded in tomorrow's Daily Christian Advocate. If you have a petition tracker, or log on to the gc2012.umc.org website, you may be able to see progress on petitions in which you are interested.
The global nature of the UMC is ever more evident, as we find nearly half of our committee members are from central conference, many of whom require translation. It is exciting to hear one's speeches being translated into French, Portugese, Swahili, German, and several more languages. So many beautiful people, all endeavoring to communicate as we join in this huge ministry of administration, enabling, blessing, and equipping.
It has been exciting to see so many young people in leadership positions on these committees. They are doing a fabulous job, and are giving a wonderful witness to the future of the UMC.
Check out the Conference webpage and the UNYAC Facebook page to see pictures of our folks at work!
The global nature of the UMC is ever more evident, as we find nearly half of our committee members are from central conference, many of whom require translation. It is exciting to hear one's speeches being translated into French, Portugese, Swahili, German, and several more languages. So many beautiful people, all endeavoring to communicate as we join in this huge ministry of administration, enabling, blessing, and equipping.
It has been exciting to see so many young people in leadership positions on these committees. They are doing a fabulous job, and are giving a wonderful witness to the future of the UMC.
Check out the Conference webpage and the UNYAC Facebook page to see pictures of our folks at work!
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