June 11, 2019
Annual Conference starts tomorrow. For the next four days
Mel Hansen-Holloway and I will be representing Saxapahaw United Methodist
Church as we worship, fellowship and conduct the business of the Conference.
The business includes adopting future goals, programs and budgets, ordaining clergy,
and sharing stories.
Every four years the business also includes voting for General
Conference delegates – work we will be doing this year. This is always
difficult, but this year it feels especially painful. I have two lists: one includes
the names of those clergy and laity who are “fully vetted evangelicals who are
in full support of the Traditional Plan;” the other includes the names of those
who
“believe the Traditional Plan does not reflect the future God desires
for us as the body of Christ.” Both
lists include people I love and respect – people who deeply love God and live
lives of faithful discipleship – people who are kingdom builders. And yet we
remain deeply divided on the issue of homosexuality.
Last week our Church Council met to reflect on the
things we, as the leadership of the congregation, can all agree on. It quickly
became clear that we all long to know Christ and make Christ known, and we long
to do this together – embracing our diversity and recognizing that our differences
make us stronger. We acknowledged our fear of change and our fear of losing
people we love. We also agreed
that we would much rather work toward consensus than take a vote.
Consensus building is based on both participation of all
stakeholders and ownership of decisions. It is up to the stakeholders – that
means you! – to participate. Consensus is reached when every voice has been
heard, every effort has been made to find common ground, and everyone agrees
that they can live with whatever is proposed. This is much harder than voting.
It also feels so much more faithful.
So I ask:
Will you commit to praying for our Annual Conference and for our congregation
as we seek to be faithful to the One who loves us and calls us friend?
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