This last week I went to the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. It was fortunately (for me at least) held in Ft. Worth, so it was really easy for me to get over 4 or 5 times. As a first time visitor to conference, I was absolutely stunned. For you non-Methodists, I'll briefly give you the lowdown. Every four years, an elected body (composed of half-clergy (pastors), and half- lay (non pastors)) come together to decide what 'we' as the 'United Methodist Church' believe. This is one of the most remarkable features (to me at least) of the UMC. The church is committed to reaching people in the most effective way possible, and additionally, is committed to moving "with the times" on appropriate issues (see the definition of appropriate later!). I got to hear debate about apportionment dollars (from the word portion- kind of like income tax for churches, except if you don't pay it, the church doesn't come after you), homosexuality (a guaranteed hot topic), the definitions of local and lay pastors and their rights and responsibilities, as well as the status and role of young people in the church. I am a self-proclaimed conference nerd, having attended annual conference (similar to general conference, but usually on a state level) from a young age. I love to hear debates, peoples' opinions, and experience how different cultures interact with one another. No surprise I ended up studying anthropology in college, but I digress... What was the most amazing thing to me was the immense cultural difference represented in the delegates. The UMC has a presence in 60 (ish?) countries around the world, from Angola to the Philippines, Denmark to Germany. What is so remarkable to me is that people come speaking numerous different languages, having different opinions and ideas about things, and yet, they are all united under a common denominator. I could look at the African brothers and sisters and know that while I may not be able to say 'hello' to them, we had an understanding and commitment to the ideals that John Wesley set forth long ago. The first day I was there, I went to a women's welcome luncheon with one of the pastors at the church I serve in the summer. First off, going around with her was absolutely incredible. She is connected out the gazoo- I met pastors, delegates and district superintendents (the administrators (who are pastors) over a city or region within the annual conference) from Virginia, Georgia, the Philippines, the Pacific Northwest and Colorado, all in a span of a couple of hours. Additionally, the keynote speaker for the luncheon was a dynamic woman who challenged women to take an active role in ministry, and to not live with a spirit of timidity, but with one of boldness. It was really an empowering moment for me (and makes me question my choice to not pursue full-time ministry immensely). Overall, it was a really great experience. One frustrating moment that I observed: the church was examining changing its stance on the ordination (to be made a pastor) and role within the church of homosexual, trans-gendered and bisexual persons. This debate is obviously a hot one, one which is currently causing quite a bit of division in the Episcopalian church- One day I got there right as a 15 minute recess for a 'witness' was being granted. I quickly found out that the witness was a mourning by homosexual, bi-sexual, and trans-gendered individuals that the previous day's resolution regarding these persons didn't change the current language in the social principles or book of discipline. The two pastors on either side of me stood up when the witnesses took the floor, and I instinctively stood up with them. My boss leaned over and asked me if I knew why I was standing. I observed that only about half of the persons in the auditorium were standing as the processional passed by me. I quickly realized that those standing were standing in support of these persons. I stayed standing. I suppose this tells you much about my political and theological leanings, but I had never been more convicted to do anything in my life. I will certainly address this issue further in another post, but the moral of the story is, that it made me sad to see that half of the persons in the auditorium couldn't (or wouldn't) stand in support of these persons. Even if you don't support a belief, you should at minimum support an individual, who is a unique creation of God. Anyway, this is long, and I could ramble forever. More adventures from GC to come. Also, countdown to Florida is currently at 9 days! Holy Smoke! I can't wait. It's ridiculous, really.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
General Conference
This last week I went to the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. It was fortunately (for me at least) held in Ft. Worth, so it was really easy for me to get over 4 or 5 times. As a first time visitor to conference, I was absolutely stunned. For you non-Methodists, I'll briefly give you the lowdown. Every four years, an elected body (composed of half-clergy (pastors), and half- lay (non pastors)) come together to decide what 'we' as the 'United Methodist Church' believe. This is one of the most remarkable features (to me at least) of the UMC. The church is committed to reaching people in the most effective way possible, and additionally, is committed to moving "with the times" on appropriate issues (see the definition of appropriate later!). I got to hear debate about apportionment dollars (from the word portion- kind of like income tax for churches, except if you don't pay it, the church doesn't come after you), homosexuality (a guaranteed hot topic), the definitions of local and lay pastors and their rights and responsibilities, as well as the status and role of young people in the church. I am a self-proclaimed conference nerd, having attended annual conference (similar to general conference, but usually on a state level) from a young age. I love to hear debates, peoples' opinions, and experience how different cultures interact with one another. No surprise I ended up studying anthropology in college, but I digress... What was the most amazing thing to me was the immense cultural difference represented in the delegates. The UMC has a presence in 60 (ish?) countries around the world, from Angola to the Philippines, Denmark to Germany. What is so remarkable to me is that people come speaking numerous different languages, having different opinions and ideas about things, and yet, they are all united under a common denominator. I could look at the African brothers and sisters and know that while I may not be able to say 'hello' to them, we had an understanding and commitment to the ideals that John Wesley set forth long ago. The first day I was there, I went to a women's welcome luncheon with one of the pastors at the church I serve in the summer. First off, going around with her was absolutely incredible. She is connected out the gazoo- I met pastors, delegates and district superintendents (the administrators (who are pastors) over a city or region within the annual conference) from Virginia, Georgia, the Philippines, the Pacific Northwest and Colorado, all in a span of a couple of hours. Additionally, the keynote speaker for the luncheon was a dynamic woman who challenged women to take an active role in ministry, and to not live with a spirit of timidity, but with one of boldness. It was really an empowering moment for me (and makes me question my choice to not pursue full-time ministry immensely). Overall, it was a really great experience. One frustrating moment that I observed: the church was examining changing its stance on the ordination (to be made a pastor) and role within the church of homosexual, trans-gendered and bisexual persons. This debate is obviously a hot one, one which is currently causing quite a bit of division in the Episcopalian church- One day I got there right as a 15 minute recess for a 'witness' was being granted. I quickly found out that the witness was a mourning by homosexual, bi-sexual, and trans-gendered individuals that the previous day's resolution regarding these persons didn't change the current language in the social principles or book of discipline. The two pastors on either side of me stood up when the witnesses took the floor, and I instinctively stood up with them. My boss leaned over and asked me if I knew why I was standing. I observed that only about half of the persons in the auditorium were standing as the processional passed by me. I quickly realized that those standing were standing in support of these persons. I stayed standing. I suppose this tells you much about my political and theological leanings, but I had never been more convicted to do anything in my life. I will certainly address this issue further in another post, but the moral of the story is, that it made me sad to see that half of the persons in the auditorium couldn't (or wouldn't) stand in support of these persons. Even if you don't support a belief, you should at minimum support an individual, who is a unique creation of God. Anyway, this is long, and I could ramble forever. More adventures from GC to come. Also, countdown to Florida is currently at 9 days! Holy Smoke! I can't wait. It's ridiculous, really.
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