Update from Northeast Jurisdiction

Word from the floor of the Northeast Jurisdictional Conference is that the proposed change in Conference Boundaries was affirmed with very little discussion.

This does mean that our Conference, the Troy Annual Conference, will merge the New York portions with the rest of upstate New York in a Conference yet-to-be-named, and all of Vermont with the New England Annual Conference.

What will this mean for the Troy Chapter of MFSA? Those in Vermont (including this blogger) will join with a pre-existing chapter in New England, while those in New York will lead the way in the four-Conference merger (only one of the other three Conferences has an MFSA chapter).

May we continue to seek justice in our new Conference bodies!

Seeking Justice for All Neighbors

At the Friday night dinner for MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action) back in June, MFSA members discussed an important ministry, Justice for Our Neighbors.

Justice for Our Neighbors (or JFON) is a program providing immigration counsel and legal advice to low-income people. The was launched in 1999 by The United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Just Neighbors Ministry in Virginia. The ministry is founded on the Biblical principle of showing kindness and mercy to strangers and 'aliens' among the people of God.

Love the sojourner... for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

(Deuteronomy 10:19)

Perhaps nowhere is America's failure to live out this Biblical injunction more obvious than in the history of immigration policy in the United States. As MFSA members and guests gathered for dinner, we were able to read a timeline around the room, detailing the treatment of immigrants in Unites States history. The trend toward greater and greater restriction on immigration (unless the country was in need of inexpensive labor!) demonstrates our unwillingness to extend hospitality to neighbors from around the world.

Under America's current immigration policy, individuals seeking entrance into the United States or seeking assistance with legal status once inside, are subject to a difficult, lengthy, and expensive bureaucratic process. Many present in the room had stories of their own to share about how this process had impacted them and their loved ones.

That's where JFON comes in, providing legal assistance through clinics.

Churches and groups of churches can assist in JFON's ministry by providing financial assistance and by organizing enough resources to provide a clinic in their area. Further, all people can join in seeking justice in the systems around us. To quote at length from the UMC's Council of Bishops:

Genuine hospitality for the sojourner requires not only a welcoming embrace, but also the effort to address the conditions that uprooted them from native soil. God's pilgrim people in the United States are called to recognize and repent their participation in systems that result in injustice and contribute to the circumstances that lead people to undertake the risk of sojourning. Fully to love sojourners, acting justly on their behalf, challenges the ultimate commitments and fundamental values of the sociopolitical and economic systems of which we are a part. The church cannot easily extricate itself from those unjust systems and wash its hands of the problems. The United Methodist Church can act justly within the systems by challenging them through the management of its considerable resources, and through advocacy of foreign and domestic policies that value human welfare above a narrow concept of national security.

What do you think? Do you have an experience to share about how immigration policy has touched your life? Do you have some ideas to share about how the churches of Troy Conference can participate in the JFON program? we'd love to hear from you!

Monetary gifts to the ministry of Justice For Our Neighbors can be made through UMCOR's Advance #901285.

Why I'm Taking a Stand

I intend this to be my last Blog related to General Conference `08. However, I wrote this last night (at home, thank God) and shared it with my congregation this morning at church. It was part of our "Did You Know?" piece in worship.

I need to begin by setting the stage, so that you might have a glimpse into the depth of what I experienced at General Conference in Fort Worth on Wednesday afternoon (4/30/08). It began during the deliberations of Paragraph 161G of the Book of Discipline. That’s the paragraph that has stated, for the past 32 years, “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” This paragraph has been at the heart of United Methodism’s version of the social and religious controversy that has added to the to division of states into red and blue; and brought entire denominations of the Christian Church to the brink of schism.

Unfortunately, it is a controversy that is usually talked about in terms of Biblical beliefs, societal standards and norms, and traditional religious and relational values. Rarely does the larger portion of our population ever talk about Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered and Bi-sexual (GLBT) people as just that: people. We theorize and forecast. Talk in terms of slippery slopes and lamented days gone by, but hardly do we ever look at how our talking around people dehumanizes, distances and depersonalizes those already disenfranchised.

I not only came face-to-face with that kind of hurtful speech at General Conference, but far worse; I heard remarks coming from people gathered for proposed “Holy Conferencing” that were downright unholy and hate filled. I was shocked and deeply saddened!

Every time a vote was taken Wednesday afternoon on an item that hurt the GLBT people present, they and their friends would simply stand silently and respectfully in protest for about 30 seconds. Even though the speech grew more hateful and people seemed to be standing more often, I still had hope. This time a Committee was actually binging forward a new statement that was both honest about the divisions and the hurts of the past three decades, but more importantly, respectful of the faithfulness of all those who have struggled on every side of the issues surrounding our understandings of human sexuality and the Christian faith.

But because the incompatibility clause was not there, lines were drawn and the dehumanizing rhetoric began to grow. We were lead in prayer to refocus us all on the presence and power of our loving God. And finally the vote: 517 to 416 to reject the new statement for another that is far worse than anything we’ve had in the last 12 years. As usual, the media and cameras descended, shooting as many pictures possible of the once again devastated GLBT people and friends who had the courage to even still be there after all that had been said on the floor. That is, all the media except the official video cameras of the General Conference. They all stayed focused on the conference secretary. All microphones, but his were silenced, and for the next 20 to 30 minutes he read out loud 3 Judicial Council decisions that had been referred to them earlier.

There was no recognition or even an attempt to break for a recess so that people who were hurting could have a little time to sort out what had just happened. There was absolutely nothing that resembled the Christ-like Church I believe we are called to become.

As I saw the hundreds of gifted pastors, church members, musicians, singers, Sunday School teachers, Seminary professors, students, (etc.) and friends that were weeping, sobbing and trying to hold on to their sense of dignity, value and worth in light of what their church had just told them; I realized that I could no longer sit still for the dispassionate, hurtful actions of my denomination. I have never been so close to surrendering my orders and walking away.

But the sad reality is that I lacked the courage; and my thoughts ran to my family and children that still need my support; but my heart and mind also ran to you, my church family. I asked myself; if I quit now, would the next person in this pulpit give voice to Christ’s inclusive love as I hope I do? Would they go out into the community to strive to give voice to those that our very denomination seems bent on silencing? Would I ever find another church home like this? A place where, as imperfect as we are, we do strive to live out of the abundant grace and hope of loving community rather than hide behind the closed doors of scarcity based on fear and familiarity. I asked myself, what more can I do to stand up for the silenced, wounded, and wronged, that I haven’t already done? It was in those thoughts that I wrestled Wednesday night.

As I prepared to go back for the opening worship service on Thursday morning, I gained a moment of clarity. I can keep standing up. Every time the voices of fear and dehumanization try to force others to sit down and be quiet, I can stand up. And so my friends, I’m standing up, literally! I have decided that from now on as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with my Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, Bi-sexual and yes; faithful and blessed brothers and sisters; as an elder of the United Methodist Church; which I still love and hope for, I will remain standing every time I am in public worship. Whether it is at Annual Conference, in joint services here in Schenectady, or God help me, at another General Conference; and yes, here on Sunday mornings. However, here, and only here, I would hope you would take this simple, symbolic gesture as a deep and heartfelt thank you for the support, love, and care shown n this place in Christ’s name.

I am, in a sense, asking for your permission and approval. My intent is to continue this practice until the doors of the United Methodist Church are truly open and this unholy language is removed from the Discipline. That will most likely mean for at least the next four years. However, if this will cause a problem for any of you, I would hope that we could talk, so that I can prayerfully reconsider this decision, if needed. I’m sure we’ll be talking in the staff parish team soon enough. I will, as I hope I always try to do, take everyone’s needs and feelings into account.

But especially for this Sunday, I thank you for putting up with me and my pastoral eccentricities. But more so, I thank you for continuously reminding me why I answered this often disturbing call to ordained ministry in the first place; so that all, and “all does mean all,” might see the love of God know Christ’s Jesus and the community Jesus has called us to create together. Thank you.

A Tale of Two General Conferences:

Truly, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” I started this day early, writing a critique of everything that was wrong with General Conference. Then Friday afternoon came and suddenly it seemed as if the delegates, the presiding Bishops, and last of all – those involved in the chicanery got it. So I’ve decided not to do a re-write, but to give you both perspectives; one after the other; in the form of two articles:

Holy Confusion… Or Unholy Conferencing?
May 2, 2008 - morning

In review of the processes that took place on the plenary floor, I have gained a deeper respect for the “Renew and Renewal Coalition’s” ability to (masterfully!) manipulate the rules of order to inflict confusion and a “divide and conquer” attitude that consistently pits US interests against the perceived interests of the “Central,” now “Regional” Conferences. One only needs to look at the transcripts of what took place at General Conference 2008 to get a clearer picture… and those transcripts are all ready being reviewed and appeals will most likely be coming. Coupled with the campaign of misinformation that occurred in both legislative committees and on the plenary floor, along with the incredibly grueling schedule of 8 AM to 11 PM every day (some legislative committees ran to 2 AM on some nights) of General Conference, my conclusions are as follows:

1) Well intentioned, caring delegates who came to be a part of “Holy Conferencing” for our UMC, so that we might have a “Future With Hope;” were unwittingly manipulated because of their lack of understanding about procedures and “Roberts Rules of Order.” They, unfortunately, became the victims of orchestrated “Holy Confusion” that was the plenary floor of GC `08.

2) The acts of Church leaders (intentional or otherwise) like the Rev. Author Jones (son of Bishop Scott Jones), the Rev. Eddie Fox, Bishop Timothy Whitaker, and the many different delegates who were given prepared statements and motions, designed to confuse delegates, dilute authentic dialogue, and prolong issue after issue… were nothing less than shameful and the promoters of “Unholy Conferencing.

3) In the fastest growing areas of our connection… Central Conferences; delegates where used time and time again by the “Renew and Renewal Coalition” to make statements (many out of order) that made it sound like a vote for a more open and inclusive church was a vote that would confuse, devastate, and ultimately unravel the churches of the Central Conferences, especially in Africa. Instead of calling, supposed parliamentary questions, out of order (that were clearly speeches against inclusivity), Bishop Whitaker allowed speakers to say some of the most hurtful things I have ever heard coming out of a General Conference: “Homosexuals are born of the devil.” In light of the cell phone scandal and other issues, many are beginning to wonder if the “Renew and Renewal Coalition” groups aren’t practicing the trade of back room colonialism with our Central Conference brothers and sisters.

4) If United Methodism and especially General Conference are ever going to be able to reclaim the process of Holy Conferencing, three things have got to happen…

A. We can’t continue to cut corners with time and finances to make future General Conference events more affordable. I understand that the United Methodist Church, just like the current cultures of our world, is operating out of a theology of scarcity rather than the abundance of God’s love and Grace. Unfortunately, when we trim free time and compact days all in the name of cost savings, we create the very kind of stress, pressure and possibilities of abuse that not only occurred, but that add to our growing unhealthy and spiritually disjointed lives.

B. Delegates have got to be trained within Annual and Central Conferences on Parliamentary procedures and the principals and boundaries that are appropriate within the context of Holy Conferencing.

C. Bishops need the same training, but also need realize that it is their privilege, obligation and responsibility to control the tone and vibrancy of debate. They must also be trained to realize when speakers are misusing or trying to manipulate the floor through procedural maneuvers, so that they can rule them out of order. Finally, they must be committed to the higher principals of fair, balanced and authentic discussion and debate, even more so than the issues at hand and their personal viewpoints and allegiances.

What did the Renew and Renewal folk do that angered me so much? They have once again attempted to use misinformation and graft to keep the Central Conference delegates voting their way. One example of misinformation, that Bishop Whitaker unfortunately didn’t correct, was in pointing out that the “Social Principals” are not binding for the Central Conferences. By the “Book of Discipline,” Central Conferences are only bound to the Articles of Faith and the UM Constitution. The Central Conferences vote on their own Disciplines at their own Central Conference gatherings. Yet they are still voting on issues that will only be binding to the US churches.

Another tactic that was applied, was the manipulation of Parliamentary procedures. When the amendments that they wanted for the Constitutional changes weren’t going their way, they tried to reintroduce the same amendments over and over again with slightly different wording. What was at stake… was the ability of the church’s newly forming study committee on the world-wide UMC to be able to truly study and make recommendations in 2012. The Renew and Renewal folk wanted a fixed outcome that would have forced the study committee to do only the work of coming up with the procedural needs and changes to make that outcome happen. My favorite maneuver came in the midst of the protracted and exhausting Constitutional discussions, when everyone wanted to simply get these discussions done. A woman from Virginia moved that in view of the number of items we still needed to deal with and the lack of time we had left, “we limit debates to only one for and one against for any item that has less than 10% descent from the committees. Oddly, that didn’t affect the current Constitutional debates (all with more than 10% descent), but would later curtail discussion around critical issues of Middle East Peace, Anti-racism Training and Missions. I tried to object, but went unrecognized. After the dinner break, before I could point out what the body had unwittingly done, they masterfully moved to move all of those same items back to the consent calendar. Moving them to Friday’s consent calendar meant that these items would be virtually impossible to get off again. That can only be done by a motion to suspend the rules for reconsideration of an item (very difficult to get support for). In one short vote to speed things along, a sense of need that the Renew and Renewal folks had helped to create, the body silenced any discussions on those afore mentioned items as well as any discussion around ethical investment and divestment issues. Well played! If only we had had a skilled chair, or one that wasn’t already taking sides.

This General Conference may go down as one of the most politically motivated and unholy conferences ever… or at least leaving us all crying out, “Holy Confusion, Batman!”

Oh the Difference a Day Makes
May 2, 2008 – Evening

Something has happened at General Conference. They are no longer willing to tolerate the Renew and Renewal Coalition supporter’s shenanigans. They are voting them down left and right. And it seems they may have even begun to see through what has been done to the process of Holy Conferencing over the last several days. Even their favorite tactics of misinformation and moving things by percentages of descent seems to have backfired… they aren’t being allowed to get a few things they want off of the Consent Calendar back on the floor.

Three major issues that are important to most progressives actually got passed. The UMC will continue to be a signatory member of RCRC (Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice); Article IV of the Constitution was amended to open church membership to all – all means all; and, we have a new definition of family that not only recognizes families of all different structures, but calls for our support of families – love makes a family!

These were very significant votes. Article IV of the constitution, if it passes two thirds of the Annual and Central Conferences in 2009, will give ground for the new Judicial Counsel to overturn Decision #1032. No longer will families headed by single parents, same sex couples, or loving grandparents be unrecognized and support in the UMC. The UMC will continue to support a woman’s right to reproductive choice. Article IV passed by 12 votes, RCRC support by 32, and the redefining of family stayed on the Consent Calendar (this was a backfire) by only a few percentage points.

Some of the attempts to manipulate discussion and even voting continued: several of us witnessed and reported a Nigerian delegate (Row 2, Seat 5) voting on two voting machines on issues relating to human sexuality, reproductive choice, and that impacted Africa… that is after he made sure a Marshall wasn’t in the area watching. We were in the Press Section above him and were shocked by how obviously intentional and aware he was of what he was doing. The attempts at delay and over-amend issues continued, but the delegates would have none of it.

I believe the delegates became trained in a “trial by fire” method over the preceding days and were now doing what a little prior training would have made possible throughout. It was wonderful to behold and actually left those of us who were devastated by Wednesday’s heartless and dysfunctional procedures – with a little Hope. Maybe even for “a Future with hope.”

Two Other Friday Stories Worth Checking Out:
(Click on article title)

Same-sex couple says ‘I do’ outside church assembly


Transcripts of Bishop's Sermons (I'd recommend Bishop Jung (5-1-08) and Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer(5-2-08 closing))

God’s Grace Personified

If you’ve been tracking the news from General Conference, you probably already know that Wednesday was a deeply sad and hurtful day for about 45% of United Methodists, that is if the General Conference is truly representative of the greater denomination. The beautifully written paragraph that came out of the Church and Society 2 Legislative Committee was replaced by a minority report that is similar, but in my opinion, worse paragraph 161G than what was already in the Book of Discipline. I personally am enraged and would love to launch into a diatribe of all that is wrong with the UMC right now; but in solidarity with those who have been truly crushed and once again dismissed as human beings by their church, I will try to bring the same Grace and love to this blog as they brought to GC yesterday.

As every vote was taken on the floor that wounded the souls of our Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgendered United Methodists and their United Methodist friends, we stood for 30 seconds in silent protest. Then the vote came to change what has been called the “foundational” Disciplinary paragraph, or “the incompatibility” paragraph: 161G. As I wrote earlier in “All Means All! I Hope!” …there was a wonderfully honest attempt to change the language so that we could finally live up to our public persona of “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.”

When the vote finally came forward and the United Methodist Church began another four years of hypocracy in the face of the Christian faith and exclusion that tries to disguise hate as love; people in tears and anguish stood silently and respectfully throughout the bleachers. One person yelled out “shame” and she was quickly comforted and quieted by her friends. As the Conference prayed and then moved on as if all were the same; well I guess it sadly was; more and more people in the bleachers began to stand. Then some of the delegates on the floor began to stand in solidarity. I noticed dozens of delegates holding each other, some sobbing, and still the General Conference secretary ran on reading off legislative corrections, changes and announcements.

The intent of the Common Witness leadership, which I am a part of, was to remain quite and respectful; but sometimes things take on a life of their own. A man, somewhere in the back of delegation section D began to simply sing “Jesus Loves Me.” Within seconds, delegates and those in the stands were all holding hands, standing and singing together. I looked out, tears running off my cheeks, making sure that I made eye contact with every delegate that I could, both seated and standing.

It was a terribly painful day! Exclusion, hate and ignorance carried the day and I knew that many both here in Fort Worth and back in all of our United Methodist communities at home were hurting. I watched hundreds of delegates walk out at the dinner break, some singing with us, some with eyes focused downward. When all had left, singing stopped, and remaining delegates and onlookers were invited back to the “Clock-tower” building for pastoral care and support.

While at the Clock-tower I saw leaders trying to offer comfort and encouragement even as they broke down in tears. Then the word came that some of the Bishops wanted some of the Reconciling Ministries Network leaders to meet with them… a summons. We all immediately knew that we were going to be offered a moment of sterilized witness on the conference floor the next day.

Two powerful events took place on Thursday morning.

The first event is best described in an article from today’s “Daily Social Questions Bulletin,” entitled: “Brokenness Made Visible.” Yesterday’s early morning witness at the entrance to the
Fort Worth Convention Center required arriving delegates andvisitors to step over and around the bodies of people symbolically lying wounded on the pavement at the entrance. Among the wounds they represented are those of rejection from membership, denial of orders, and unjust judgment of people for their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

As people lay sprawled on the sidewalk, others drew chalk outlines of their bodies. Some got up and others lay down, finally forming a maze of body outlines which gave pause to arriving delegates. Some stopped to talk with or pray over the supine bodies, others quickly looked away and rushed through.

The event concluded with words of solace for the spiritual violence endured by LGBTQ people and their parents, pastors, friends and other allies during the earlier General Conference session, where several resolutions marginalizing and isolating them were passed in an attempt to close the church to them because of their very God-given natures.

Witnesses wearing black left the area, singing “What Does the Lord Require of You?”

The second came at 10:30 AM, the presiding Bishop called for a 15 minute suspension of General Conference, so that the floor could be opened to a “respectfully” presented and received demonstration. Several hundred people came in, made a human cross throughout the center of the floor and began to sing, “Were You There.” While singing, the leadership of the common witness groups entered the floor and draped the crystal cross on the communion table at the center of plenery floor (and our human cross)in black. Then all were invited to come to the table and add a black strip of cross to proclaim our grief over the UMC's brokenness and our continued hope that we might find comfort that in grief we are still, ultimately, a resurrection people.

To see the video of this witness click here and click on the “Homosexuality Witness” link. Watch, but realize that while hearts were hurt and some wounded beyond repair, the spirit and love shared by the group of people gathered on the floor remains strong and vibrant! Where hearts and minds opened? Who knows, but the one sure answer was that the doors of the United Methodist Church are still locked tight!

My conclusion, as a Christian, straight, male, life-long Methodist, now clergy... I saw little of God's grace in the tone, spirit and activities of the plenery sessions of General Conference in these moments. And in the actions, restraint and dignity of the LGBT community... I saw God's Grace personified!

There's a Spirit in the Air, Calling Christians Everywhere...

The tone of General Conference `08 has been one of the most remarkable that I have ever experienced! This is the third that I have personally witnessed. The Bishops established that tone early on by calling us to gather in the Spirit of unity with the respect and care that Holy Conferencing requires. Then the young people challenged and called us to be about the task of reaching out in caring, creative and compassionate ways TO ALL, rather than continuing to be the church of derision and division. Finally, the delegates have been holding those that work on the perimeters of General Conference to a high ethical standard. It hasn’t been easy to maintain this Spirit. There have been several incidents that have challenged, if not threatened that Spirit of hope and unity.

First came the cell phone controversy; when Central Conference delegates were invited to a free (?) breakfast, given free (?) cell phones to remain in contact (but not with home - they couldn't call overseas), and a list of the "Renewal and Reform Coalition’s" nominees for Judicial Council to consider. You can read more and see a video of the breakfast by clicking here.

Second, came the Judicial Council elections itself. Please realize that the slate that the Renewal and Reform Coalition (R&R Coalition) was supporting, were the only nominees that had professionally produced mass mailings sent out to every delegate and reserve weeks ahead of GC `08. When a slate chosen from the Bishop’s nominees were elected instead, the R&R Coalition cried “foul” and “unfair influence.” They based their complaint on some flyers that were around on a number of delegate's tables. You see, it is a violation of rules for anyone to do a mass distribution of printed material on the floor of General Conference. However, it is o.k. for delegates to share printed information with each other. And, of course, the R&R Coalition decided to blame MFSA for orchestrating the defeat of their slate.

So, as an MFSA insider, I want to explain what really happened. Early last fall, MFSA decided not to develop a slate of Judicial Council nominees. After a lot of prayerful and difficult discussions, we decided to wait to see whom the Bishops would nominate, realizing that we would have to wait until GC `08 began. What we did decide to do, was to help promote a "fair and balanced" Judicial Council in any way that we could. I was incredibly proud of our approach. When GC `08 began, we made contact with a variety of delegates from all around the country and even among several Central Conferences. We invited them to a meeting to discuss the future of the Judicial Council. Fifty delegates (not reserves) came, including one from our own Troy Conference. They were asked to self direct and discuss their hopes for the future of the Judicial Council.

When the Bishop's nominees were made known, they discussed them and decided to come up with their own slate out of the Bishop's nominations. I can't help but wonder if they didn't decide to do this because of the apparent attempts to manipulate the vote by others. Those 50 "unaffiliated" delegates decided to run flyers and give them to their own delegations and others that they personally knew. That is how the flyers got on the floor of GC `08. What seems to infuriate the R&R Coalition is that the slate the delegates chose all got elected and the ones they spent thousands of dollars on, didn't.

The third and I hope, final event, came later in the day, when Daniel Ivy-Soto, of Texas called for a moment of personal privilege. He expressed frustration over the fact that at that very moment, delegates were being given pre- Addressed envelopes with materials from a caucus group. It has come to my attention that The R&R Coalition has been using our General Conference Pages as their own personal mail delivery service. You see, Pages are supposed to deliver personal notes to delegates on the floor. By giving a page as many as 30 to 40 of these envelopes at a time, the R&R Coalition has been using our Pages to unwittingly support their attempts at influencing the votes of delegates. They have used this approach at General Conferences before; sending mass mailings on to the floor when they discover that important issues will be dealt with later in the session. Ivy-Soto said it best, “while this may not violate the letter of the law; it certainly violates the spirit of Holy Conferencing.” As a result of all of this year’s violations of that spirit, the delegates have called for the formation of an ethics committee for the Commission on General Conference.

Today, Wednesday morning, the General Conference will be considering all of the petitions on human sexuality. The delegates will first, however, be called on to decide which spirit will be allowed to work within the future of the United Methodist Church. Will it be the Spirit of Hope or the spirit of manipulation and fear? Will it be the Spirit of God’s presence and inspired ministry, or will it be the spirit of influence and turning the tools of inspiration (like the Bible) into weapons of personal destruction?

When we gathered here in Fort Worth, we could all since that there was a Spirit in the air. I wonder how the Spirit will call us today as we wrestle to be the people of God together. You can help today… PRAY! Pray that it’s God’s Holy Spirit that is allowed to be present on the floor… Pray that everyone is allowed to respond to that Spirit, without fear and manipulation, to come to the table of fellowship and hope!

All Means All! I Hope!

The focus of this General Conference has so far been about a spirit of unity among all. To the credit of our Bishops, Young Adults and Youth, we are being asked to realize that unity means everyone needs to be welcomed to the table, even in disagreement. Maybe especially then!

I am always amazed and refreshed by the young adult voices of our church! They seem to be so far ahead of the rest of us in making all of the connections between faith, culture, and living with a hope born out of the presence of God.

Yesterday (Saturday) at a Young Adults Rally that started at 1st Church and ended at the North Entrance of General Conference, more than 200 people gathered to offer support and hope. Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, chairperson of the United Methodist Student Movement served notice on her church; a church that seems mired by infighting and debates, rather than spirit filled and free to serve our living God.

“Change is coming,” she said, "The United Methodist Church is getting closer to welcoming everyone regardless of their sexual identity... Don’t worry; it will happen because nothing can stop the force of this generation.”

The Division on Young People, United Methodist Board of Discipleship, is sponsoring one resolution that asks the denomination to offer membership “to all who have been baptized and those who have professed their faith regardless of age, class, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation.”

“We are offering bold pieces of legislation,” said Theon Johnson III, co-chair of the division. “We are not called to do church but to be the church.”

Maybe... I hope... this General Conference will get it and throw wide it's doors to all people. Realizing once and for all... "All Means All!"

To that end, I want to let you know about some legislation that's working it's way through committees right now. In response to Judicial Council Ruling #1032, the prevailing direction (so far) isn't to add more types of people to the litmus test of who should be included, but to get rid of the list all together and simply state that our church is open to all people... and of course, all means all.

In terms of Human Sexuality and the Social Principles' "incompatibility" clause; it appears that at least in the committee phase, the mood is that it is time to accept the reality that not all people of faith agree and that just because we don't agree, that doesn't mean we get to fight over who is really the faithful. The result is a wonderful, honest statement about God's gift of human sexuality and the complexity of that gift. It also would allow for honest, humble, faithful discussion within the church among those who faithfully disagree.

I don't want to get your hopes up, so please remember this is at the very preliminary stages of the legislative process. But imagine how church and conferences might be different if this were adopted:
(Paragraph 161G) Human Sexuality. We recognize that sexuality is God's good gift to all persons. We believe persons may be fully human only when that gift is acknowledged and affirmed by themselves, the church, and society. We call all persons to the disciplined, responsible fulfillment of themselves, others, and society in the stewardship of this gift. We also recognize our limited understanding of this complex gift and encourage the medical, theological, and social science disciplines to combine in a determined effort to understand human sexuality more completely. United Methodists, along with other Christians, have struggled to find principles for applying traditional teachings to contemporary understandings of human sexuality.

We recognize that sexuality is part of the larger human mystery, to be received and acknowledged in grateful responsibility. We reject all sexual expressions that damage or destroy the humanity God has given us. We deplore all forms of the commercialization and exploitation of sexual relations, with their consequent cheapening and degradation of human personality. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation or use of children by adults and encourage efforts to hold perpetrators legally and responsible. We call for adequate protection, guidance, and counseling for children thus abused. We believe that the Church family should support all families in providing age-appropriate education regarding sexuality to children, youth, and adults. We challenge all members of our community of faith to commitment, integrity, and fidelity in their sexual relationships.

We know that all are God's children and of sacred worth; yet we have been, and remain, divided regarding homosexual expressions of human sexuality. Faithful, thoughtful people who have grappled with this issue deeply disagree with one another; yet all seek a faithful witness. We continue to reason and pray together with faith and hope that the Holy Spirit will soon bring reconciliation to our community of faith. The fire in our disagreements points to a deeper human mystery than we knew. We believe that the Spirit has brought our collective conscience to acknowledge this mystery more honestly, and to make our claims with greater humility before God and our neighbors. We therefore ask the Church , United Methodist and others, and the world, to refrain from judgment regarding homosexual persons and practices until the Spirit leads us to a new insight. In the meantime, let us seek to welcome, know, forgive, and love one another as Christ has accepted us, that God may be glorified through everything in our lives.

When it comes to the days that lie ahead and the long term future of the church... yesterday I was reminded of the Isaiah vision; "your young shall prophesy and your old shall dream dreams." Will this be the General Conference when "All" really means all? I HOPE!

Cell Phone Connectionalism?

What is this thing called Connectionalism in the United Methodist Church? It’s as simple as people coming together, combining their time, talents, gifts and service to accomplish something bigger than themselves. It's as simple as congregations of those "connected" people; leaders and congregations, "connected in a network of loyalties and commitments that support, yet supersede, local concerns." It is the exoskeleton of our United Methodist System, holding our portion of the body of Christ together... giving us form and substance as God's people called "United Methodist."

Lately, however, we seem to have become the "Untied" Methodist Church. We're suffering from what many have called "creeping congregationalism," but I find that to be slanderous of those denominations that use a congregational based system of governance. In my humble and I am sure, offensive opinion, what we are really suffering from is self-righteousness born out of arrogance and fear. Whether the arrogance is intellectual or spiritual; we seem more bent on proving that we are right than trying to do anything Christ-like. If you don't believe me, listen to the "Young People's Address" from yesterday's sessions. They were far more eloquent and on target than I could ever be.

Our Connectionalism means that if we are ever to be the "tree of life, planted by the waters of God's righteous, love and grace; then we have got to realize that we are all a part of the same family tree. We have all got to allow unity built out of the strength of diversity, rather than forced unity build out of codified rules and dogma that make it impossible for others to be who they are and share their faithful witness of God's love in their life... oh yeah, that's what Jesus spoke out against among the Pharisees... it is what many are crying out to be liberated from in the Untied Methodist Church of 2008.

So what do cell phones have to do with it. In my last blog I said that the three simple rules of "Do No Harm, Do Good, Keep Loving God" are good rules for living! But, that "I want to explore the difficult question of `how do these rules apply when someone else is doing harm in the name of God?'" I want to explore that question because of something else I discovered last night.

I stopped by the Commission on the General Conference office to see a friend. While there, my friend handed me a flyer that had been submitted to that office by the "The Renewal and Reform Coalition," the caucus group that is made up of "The Confessing Movement, Lifewatch, UM Action (The United Methodist wing of the Institute for Religion and Democracy), Transforming Congregations, Good News and The Renew Women's Network." You see, anyone who wants to pass out a flyer to any General conference Delegates, has to submit two copies of it first, to the Commission on the General Conference.

There I was, reading a letter of welcome to the Central Conference Delegates (Europe, Africa and the Philippines - about 25% of the delegates). On it as an act of hospitality, "the Renew and Reform Coalition" offered them a free cell phone. Oh, by the way, they have also invited the Central Conference delegates to a day of shopping at an area mall next Wednesday. Many others are wondering how a caucus group can give away digital cameras in Pittsburgh in 2004 and now cell phones; and not call it vote buying or more appropriately... graft. As if this weren't unethical enough, on the back of the flyer, "the Renew and Reform Coalition" listed their slate of nominees for the open positions on Judicial Council. How shamelessly obvious is that!

In this day and age, when our connectionalism is being threatened by so many worldly forces... materialism, nationalism, militarism, and a world view of fear based on scarcity... how can those who are supposed to love our Wesleyan heritage and the democratic polity that it is built on, do things that continue to undermine and deteriorate the very things they say they want to preserve? So how can I do no harm, do good and stay in love with God in the face of such hierocracy and un-Godliness? Simple, I'll try to never stop keeping the love of God, neighbor and self at the heart of what I try to live by... but I will also continue to shine the light on evil, injustice, manipulation and deceit whenever I can. I will forgive my brothers and sisters, as I hope they will forgive me my faults. But I will also remember that forgiveness can never be extended to those who don't want to change for the good, harmless, God loving ways we are all called to live toward.

What might the words of Jesus be for "the Renew and Reform Coalition's" actions and a General Conference that would allow this type of unethical behavior to continue? Might it be, if you are seeking it, "you are forgiven; go and sin no more?"

Do No Harm, Do Good, Keep Loving God

These three simple rules from John Wesley for how Methodist's ought to live, seem to be the mantra for General Conference 2008 (GC `08). We've heard them refered to several times. They have been applied to how we ought to treat each other, in spite of our diiferences. So much emphasis has been made on "Unity in the midst of Diversity," that the stage has been set (thanks primarily to the leadership of our Bishops) for either something amazing to happen at GC `08, or something tragic. The tragedy could come if we (the UMC) try to take the path of forced unity. The amazing will come, if we finaly decide that "All Means All" and everyone is finally invited to be a part of a powerful ministry in Christ's name!

Where are the signs of hope? On Thursday, April 24th, they were most clearly seen among our young people:

The entire General Conference was blown away by Katherine Commale, who at the age of 5, decided she needed to do something about children dying from Malaria in Africa. After watching a special with her mom, Lynda, and learning that a child dies from mosquito-borne malaria every 30 seconds, she said, “Mom, we need to send them bed nets right away.”

Now at age 7, Katherine and her family have collected more than $40,000 to send insecticide-treated sleeping nets to Africa as part of the Nothing But Nets campaign. When Bishop Hopkins asked her how much money she hoped to raise, without hesitation Katherine replied, "when everyone who needs one has a bed net." Finally, a United Methodist who realizes that the only true "final goal" is met when everyone experiences God's love. You can see and hear Katherine when she was six at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk7ZnEE9MkI.

The other sign of "A Future with Hope" for the UMC came from the mouths of some of our youth and young adults. The "Young People's Address" was an honest, at times prophetic, but completely inspiring look at our present UMC through the eyes of our young people. They didn't hold anything back and personally, I wish we could play excepts of their words oer and over again during the many deliberations that are coming in the days ahead!

To see and hear parts of the "Young People's Address" click here to go to a site that contains several clips; and be prepared to be moved!

Three simple rules:"Do No Harm, Do Good, Keep Loving God." They are good rules for living! I want to end this post here, on a positive note, but in my next posting I want to explore the difficult question of "how do these rules apply when someone else is doing harm in the name of God?

For now, thanks to our young people, our future seems a lot more hopeful than it did just a few hours ago.

Blessings!
Steve

Two Starts to GC... Will They Ever Come Together?

General Conference has begun! As usual, the most hopeful and powerful part of coming together is found in the ways in which we worship and share our stories.

However, there were two very different starts...

At lunchtime today, hundreds of people jammed into First Christian Church for the Parents Reconciling Network (PRN) Luncheon at First Christian Church in Fort Worth. PRN's mission is: "We envision a United Methodist Church which in both policy and practice accords all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, full participation in the life of the church." Here are some highlights from the luncheon:

This year's Hilton Award was given to Helen King. Among many of Helen's contributions to PRN has been the public witness of the stoles project. For this General Conference her team and of volunteers hand made over 2,000 stoles, enough to give one to every delegate and Common Witness volunteer in Fort Worth. You can see a stole in the next picture... the stoles have become a national public witness for the call to build a United Methodist Church that lives out Jesus' call to unconditional love.

Rev. William Taylor was the keynote speaker at the luncheon event and shared his story of how he was shunned and eventually forced to leave the church he was serving because of he and his wife, Roxanne's, support of their gay son, Dawson, who is now a United Church of Christ Pastor. You can actually here some of this powerful story at this RMN Website.


Retired Bishop, Ray Chamberlain, from the Virginia Annual Conference also shared the story of his family as he discovered that he had a "beautiful daughter who happens to be lesbian". He reminded all of us that every time we label someone in any way, we move them one step away from their humanity in our minds and make it easier to justify treating them in hurtful ways.

We ended the event in the sanctuary, commissioning hundreds of volunteers. Everyone was given a medallion and blessing, reminding us that we are living examples of a mustard seed hope and faith... that can and will move mountains; "and nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20.


At 6 PM, the second start to General Conference began. The two-hour worship service featured interpretive dancers, praise bands, a full orchestra, choirs, music, prayers and Scripture in many tongues, and symbols of the Christian faith using ordinary elements of glass, wood, bread, fruit of the vine and water. Over 6,500 people were in attendance.

General Conference's theme for 2008 is “A Future with Hope: Making Disciples for the Transformation of the World" and worship centered on that theme. The altar, lectern, baptismal font, communion table and rail were made from trees salvaged from Gulfside Assembly in Waveland, Mississippi; destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Gulfside served as a retreat center and meeting place for African Americans before the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Iowa Area Bishop Gregory Palmer and Houston Area Bishop Janice Riggle Huie officiated at the Communion service.

Bishop Huie’s sermon sounded a clear call that, even in the midst of a world filled with AIDS, malaria, violence, global climate change and fear, United Methodists are called to live a life with hope – resurrection hope - that "transforms lives and changes the future." "Tonight, through us," said the bishop, "the people of The United Methodist Church gather around this table filled with resurrection hope.”

Following the opening Communion service, the assembly adopted the rules of order delegates would be following for the next nine days. Some 1,500 petitions will first be considered in 13 legislative committees before they are brought to the full plenary sessions for final action. Those committees will begin work tomorrow.

Also worth noting: Today was (to the day) the 40th anniversary of when the Evangelical United Brethren Church united with the Methodist Church to create The United Methodist Church, and we were within 40 miles of where it happened in Dallas. As a body, we are delegates from 129 annual conferences and 50 countries. Our task will be to establish policies for the 11.5 million-member denomination and to declare positions on social justice issues.

So General Conference has begun... one start at a nearby church... another start in the arena of the Fort Worth Convention Center. The question is, "will they ever come together?" Will the segment of our church that is trying to embrace broader diversity, inclusive love, and a "future with hope" for everyone; ever be able to have a place at the table of the church that can bring 1,000 people together from 50 different nations (over 10 days) and produce such powerful and dramatic worship? There was a lot of talk in both beginnings about celebrating diversity, sensitivity and being reconciled unto God and each other. Can we ever do it with integrity, rather than simply talking about it in terms of hope?

My hope and prayer for these next 10 days is that we move closer to becoming the change we "hope" to be.

GBCS Backs Down on Divestment, But Why?

"The United Methodist News Service released the following statement on April 17...

After direct meetings with Caterpillar Inc., the United Methodist Church's social action agency says it will withdraw a petition calling for divestment from the heavy equipment manufacturer.

The petition, sent to the denomination's top legislative body, charged that the company profits from illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and contributes to the occupation by supplying Israeli Defense Forces with heavy equipment.

Sending the petition to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference has achieved positive results, said Jim Winkler, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society in Washington.

Since January, Caterpillar has opened discussions with the board, issued a statement denouncing immoral use of its equipment, and agreed to continued dialogue...

The Caterpillar statement sent to Winkler said, "Caterpillar's products are designed to improve quality of life. ... We do not condone the illegal or immoral use of any Caterpillar equipment. ... We expect our customers to use our products in environmentally responsible ways and consistent with human rights and the requirements of international humanitarian law."

The statement affirmed the importance of continuing dialogue between Caterpillar and The United Methodist Church. "We are committed to further conversations and possible philanthropic activities in Palestinian areas."

About $5 million of the denomination's estimated $17 billion pension portfolio is invested in Caterpillar stock."

The Rev. Steve Sprecher, a director of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, was part of the committee that led the agency to send the petition to General Conference. He called divestment "a time-honored policy" within The United Methodist Church. He went on to say... "By engaging (Caterpillar chief executive) Jim Owen and Caterpillar in this way, Winkler has helped us underscore the value our denomination places on our interreligious relationships coupled with our commitment to social justice."

Here's my question - WHY NOW? We all know that the pressure has been tremendous. Delegates have been getting mailings condemning the position of possible divestment from a group calling itself "Christians for Fair Witness on The Middle East" (www.christianfairwitness.com/). Even local UM clergy have been getting phone calls from concerned local Jewish clergy. In doing a little research about some of the press that has been out there nationally, it becomes quite apparent that there are other forces at play here. If you want to know how the UMC is being looked at by some of the Jewish community across our country, I would suggest checking out the "Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism" website (http://rac.org/advocacy/specialresources/divestnomore/).

So what's wrong with this picture?

1) Much of the press that has been picked up on by the Jewish Community has been spun by the likes of the Institute for Religion and Democracy (IRD). Now why would an organization that is supposedly trying to "renew" United Methodist spirituality be portraying our Boards and Agencies as Anti-Israeli to the general public? Could it be that it is more about dismantling those Boards and Agencies than it is about truth telling and honest dialogue?

2) Several of the petitions are not calling for immediate divestment. They are however calling for constructive dialogue with several companies that have continued to profit from the ongoing unrest between the Israeli and Palestinian people. So why is all the focus on divestment? Could it be that if that option isn't on the table, those companies really won't have any interest in talking with the UMC in the first place? Let's look at Caterpillar as an example... How long has Chief Executive Jim Owen known about the "illegal or immoral use of any Caterpillar equipment" as he condemned yesterday?

Well, CBC News issued this release on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 | 2:21 PM ET:

A U.S.-based company has been warned by a United Nations expert not to sell bulldozers to Israel because of the way the Israeli army is using them.

Jean Ziegler, the UN's special expert on the right to food, sent a letter to Caterpillar Inc. saying that the company could be considered an accomplice in human rights violations.

The letter to Caterpillar chief executive James Owen expressed Ziegler's concerns "about the actions of the Israeli occupation forces in Rafah and in other locations in Gaza and the West Bank."

And from MAY 18, 2004:

A resolution passed this year by the UN Human Rights Commission extends responsibility to protect rights to "non-state actors."

Ziegler's letter, dated May 28, said the Israelis are "using armoured bulldozers supplied by your company to destroy agricultural farms, greenhouses, ancient olive groves and agricultural fields planted with crops."

There's been no comment from Caterpillar headquarters in Peoria, Ill.

The letter also says Caterpillar bulldozers have been used to destroy "numerous Palestinian homes and sometimes human lives, including that of the American peace activist Rachel Corrie."

Finally from MARCH 16, 2003: American protester killed in Gaza

Rachel Corrie, 23, was crushed to death in March 2003. She was trying to stop an Israeli army bulldozer from destroying Palestinian homes in a Gaza Strip refugee camp.

So again, my question for the General Board of Church & Society is why now? What guarantees did Mr. Owen and Caterpillar make that they are now, after four years of "no comment" to the UN and others-response, going to consider their accountability in profiting from human suffering?

3) I am actually more concerned about the allegations around the Mission Study guide that was produced than I am about the UMC considering divestment being an act of anti-Israeli sentiment. I need to get a hold of a copy and look at it in light of all of the criticisms I'm reading about.

FINALLY - Here's an idea - Since the UMC has already come out with a strong statement on the right of existence for, and the need for international recognition of Israel as a nation; let's make similar statements about the rights for a Palestinian state to exist without outside interference and manipulation. And, if we are going to engage companies around their involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, let's also engage those nations that continue to promote and support anti-Israel terrorist groups and call for the eradication of the nation of Israel. But in the midst of that engagement, let's maintain our right to withhold UMC dollars and call for others to withhold their US dollars (divestment) as a last resort from companies that are unwilling to dialogue, listen and continue to offer only "no comment." And, at the same time, let's be balanced! Let's also maintain our right to criticise and challenge Nations and organizations... and call for the withholding of US dollars and goods (sanctions) when they refuse to dialogue and work for peace.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks for reading mine!
Steve

Two Issues That May Be Bigger Than They Seem

There are two issues that may play out to be the two most politicized controversies of General Conference '08... Judicial Council Nominees and petitions surrounding the Worldwide Nature of the United Methodist Church.  So what's at issue?  

1) The first issue relates to Judicial Council decision #1032, you remember, 
the one that made it o.k. for a pastor in Virginia to not allow someone to join 
their church because of their sexual orientation and at the same time made 
it not o.k. for that pastor's district superintendent and board of ordained 
ministry to hold him accountable for the act...  Well, because of that decision, 
the nomination and election of Judicial Council members is going to be a 
bigger issue than ever.  This issue becomes compounded when you realize 
that there are two lay, three clergy, one lay alternate and 1 clergy 
alternate position now open.  That is more than enough to change the
make-up and potential rulings of the Judicial Council over the next four years.

Also, it appears that Good News and Confessing Movements (GN/CM) have already decided on a slate of candidates and are helping them to get out glossy mailings to all of the voting delegates to GC.  So who are these individuals and what is their track record in light of Decision #1032... They are: Mary Daffin (lay, SCJ), presently vice-president of JC, voted for #1032, and running for re-election;  Solomon Christian (lay, SEJ), presently 1st lay alternate of JC and was supported by GN/CM in 2004 as another lay candidate to consider;  Ron Enns (lay, SCJ), who according to Wikipedia is suing the General Board od Church and Society to force them to use much of their endowment monies only for temperance issues and is also known to be anti LGBT;   Keith Boyette (clergy, SEJ), presently secretary of JC, who also voted for 1032 and is now running for re-election;  Gloria Brooks (clergy, NCJ), presently an alternate on JC although has not been seated, and who was supported by GN/CW on their slate as a clergy candidate for JC in 2004; James Barblee (clegy, central conference) who is a delegate to GC and whose letter was mailed from Buffalo, NY; Raymond Mutombo (clergy, central conference) whose letter lists his return address in the Congo but was mailed from Quad Cities Illinois.

Besides the nominees themselves, there will be several petitions focusing on how Judicial Council members are nominated and how they are to be held accountable to the general church for their decisions. Please see the MFSA Plumbline on Judicial Council Elections for more insight: www.vunymfsa.org/JCelections.pdf (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this page).

2) The second issue relates to "The Worldwide Nature of the United Methodist Church" and proposals for re-structuring the UMC to be more of a World-wide denomination and less US-centric. On the surface, that all sounds very good and fair to most of us. However, I would invite you to check out the website: www.umglobalstructure.org/ which gives you a copy of an alternative proposal and rationale known as the"Okayama-Robbins Proposal". It is my belief that the current proposals coming forward, from "The Global Nature of the Church Task Force", leave too many openings for long-range politicizing of our structure and a potential for inequitable balances of power. The Okayama-Robbins Proposal attempts to address that... so I offer it to you as another resource for getting informed and prepared for General Conference.

Of course, we will know full well where the big issues will lie, when we see which committees have been packed with the leadership of the Good News, Confessing Movement, and IRD leadership. That is how it seemed to play out in 2004.

Blessings and Peace to You!
Steve

What Maxie Forgot...

The Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam, former president of Asbury Theological Seminary and chair of the World Methodist Council Evangelism Committee, is up to it again. In the March 21st issue of Newscope, Maxie made 10 recommendations for General Conference. What was #1 on his list? Dr. Dunnam's first recommendation is that General Conference "Make a decision the first day to table all discussion related to changing the position of the church on the issue of homosexuality." He goes on to say, "for at least four General Conferences, the mind of the church has been clearly stated. The time and energy needs to be spent on mission and ministry."

This is no light weight when it comes to theology, United Methodist history, doctrine or polity. Maxie Dunnam has published a number of study guides; helped in the development of the popular "Disciple" Bible study video courses that are used in many United Methodist Church congregations; and he was even instrumental in helping to start what is now the very popular spiritual growth program, "Walk to Emmaus." My point here, is that the Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam knows his Methodist faith well, or at least he should!

So why does someone so steeped in United Methodist tradition want to silence the process of open dialogue and Christian conferencing? Why would he want to keep other United Methodists from being able to exercise their right, under the Discipline, to petition the denomination on issues that concern them? Is it because his comment that, "for at least four General Conferences, the mind of the church has been clearly stated," is at best, misleading? In reality, votes have been close and getting closer. Maybe it is because Maxie, who has been playing himself off as a "mainstream United Methodist" for years, is actually more of an extremist. Why else would he have been one of founders and leaders of the "Confessing Movement within the United Methodist Church"? An organization that helped to draw up a document on "amicable separation," that surfaced near the end of the 2004 General Conference in Pittsburgh; and, after realizing how much they had over-stepped their sphere of influence and alienated the true middle of the United Methodist Church, suddenly became advocates for church unity. In "The Confessing Movement Conference in September of 2005, they issued a paper, “Unity In Christ, That The World May Believe” in which they began by saying that "Unity is the critical issue in The United Methodist Church today." Then why has Maxie's group done so much to undermine the social ministries of our denomination's main missional boards and agencies? If you don't know what I'm talking about, please do some homework in finding out how the Confessing Movement, Institute for Religion and Democracy, Good News Movement, Renew, and Mission Sending Society are connected; and how they are funded.

Troy Plummer, the Executive Director for "The Reconciling Ministries Network," responded to Maxie's, let's silence the discussion, proposal this way... "We have been aware of extremist hopes that consideration of petitions regarding full inclusion could be dismissed in one dramatic action. Pieces of this hope surfaced at the Memphis conference" (recently sponsored by the above named organizations for General Conference delegates) and in other places. Interestingly, conservatives decided not to use the word "homosexual" in their messaging. I wonder if they had read the Barna research (unChristian, 2007) showing how anti-gay rhetoric is harming evangelism and the perception of Christianity and how this upcoming generation is just walking away."

Troy went on to say, "I believe Maxie's move is one of bravado designed to create anxiety in the rest of us, and that it is also his true hope. So in the extreme situation it has enough resonance with those 'tired of talking', we also have entertained direct actions that would be implemented. I believe the church will do everything in its power to avoid direct action caused by silencing or moratorium."

More important than Maxie's call to undermine our Wesleyan heritage of Christian Conferencing at this General Conference; and his back-handed attempt to fix his organization's reputation by undo their long standing history of promoting division and the dismantling our denomination's ability to do effective social and mission ministry; is his absolute denial of scripture. Did he forget what Luke reported to have happened when Jesus was entering Jerusalem? Did he forget how Jesus responded when those who cared more about position and power than faithful ministry, cried out for him to silence his followers?

Maxie don't forget... When "some of the" religious elite "in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out' (Luke 39:40)."

Build up to General Conference

With the advent of Blogging and advancements in communications technology since the last General Conference (GC);  GC 2008 is shaping up to be one of the most widely covered, written about, and commented on General Conference ever.

I will do my best to keep up with it all.  However, more important than how we communicate from GC 08 in Fort Worth, Texas - is the message that we communicate.  If you are interested in getting connected from an MFSA perspective, I would suggest that you start with the Troy Conference MFSA Chapter's Website (www.vunymfsa.org).  I've done my best to bring a whole host of resources and links together to make it easy for you to get caught up on and prepared for General Conference.

The link under "General Conference 2008" called; "MFSA's Plumblines," will give you an in depth look at what will be the most controversial and spiritually challenging issues we'll be facing as United Methodist's.

Keep all of the delegates and volunteers at GC 08 in your prayers as they 
prepare to make decisions that will effect the lives and spiritual wellbeing 
of others.

With Peace!
Steve CLunn