General Conference 2019

Hope of the world,
thou Christ of great compassion,
speak to our fearful hearts by conflict rent.
Save us thy people from consuming passion
who by our own false hopes and aims are spent.
(“Hope of the World,” Georgia Harkness,
#178, United Methodist Hymnal)

2019 is a year of decade remembrances for me. My 40-year reunion at River Valley High School is in July. A remembrance of our 1979 Class C State Championship team was held last Friday. I graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1989. And the 30-year commemoration of ministry with Beverly is in worship on March 17 with a free meal following the service.

Taking longer looks at things is one of the ways God has shaped me in ministry. I am willing to have second thoughts, intentionally. Not as a reference to doubt, like, “I’m having second thoughts about some decision/matter/question, etc.” But, second thoughts in the more positive light of giving further consideration to matters of faith and life. Second thoughts suggest that first thoughts and impressions may not convey the deepest meaning. Further contemplation can bring out better understanding and allow for meaning to emerge over time.

While I can respond to the immediate and urgent needs of a situation, I am a contemplative person at heart who is nourished in solitude, reflection, silence, and conversation.

The 2019 General Conference of The United Methodist Church concluded on Tuesday with the decision to adopt the Traditional Plan which retains the current prohibitions on same sex weddings officiated by United Methodist pastors or held in United Methodist Churches, and the prohibition of ordaining self-avowed practicing homosexual persons. There also are increased penalties for pastors who violate these rules. 

In times of crisis, I look for ways of making sense of what’s happening. When I am honest though about this General Conference, my first response is that I am scared and deeply troubled by the level of hate that is expressed in the process and I feel that things are out of control. That is my honest first prayer before seeking explanations or perspectives or frameworks for understanding. I’m scared by the hatred, disdain, and dismissal of LGBTQI sisters and brothers. The presence of hate in the Church is a “consuming passion” from the hymn verse above. It is exhausting and lethal.

I believe the General Conference decision means that vulnerable people will continue to suffer. And I believe we have failed again to accept God’s invitation to a new reality of compassion and hospitality and mission.

We are a church of passionate people,
so, I anticipate some intense conversation about this.

But I write for the sake of my soul. I write to offer a word of grace and compassion for those persons who will continue to experience discrimination because of their sexual identity and orientation. I write to search my heart and faith and seek God’s help. And I am interested in the spiritual practices that sustain you. These are expressions of what we call the means of grace.

I wonder what the next spiritual communities of healing and recovery and renewal will be for people who feel threatened or dismissed. I came to know Christ in high school through the hospitality of my home church and I have cared deeply about how people are welcomed in every congregation where Beverly and I have lived these past 30 years.

At the end of June, Beverly and I will celebrate five years of shared ministry with you. I believe in the healing power of personal conversations. In that regard, I have 20 invitations to make. I have set up 20 different time periods in March where I would like to listen and talk with you about your spiritual journey, your feelings about our church, and how I may pray for you.

The URL to schedule those times is https://doodle.com/meetme/qc/8jAnARWnFf

You can choose when and where we might meet. Adult Sunday School which follows worship and the adult small group on Mondays at 7 PM are two ongoing opportunities for conversation and learning. I also have asked our leaders to host gatherings in their homes where appropriate.

I started and now conclude my article with a verse from my favorite hymn by Georgia Harkness, “Hope of the World.” For me, it is a compelling reminder of Christ’s unrelenting love in all our human conditions. May God’s grace sustain us through these conflicted, painful times and lead us to faithful, loving service in Christ’s name.

Hope of the World, O Christ o’er death victorious,
who by this sign didst conquer grief and pain,
we would be faithful to thy gospel glorious;
thou art our Lord! Thou dost forever reign.
(“Hope of the World,” Georgia Harkness,
#178, United Methodist Hymnal)