I love grace. I just finished reading another section of Bill Beatty's blog on grace. It made me cry, again. I just love grace.
I have been thinking a good bit about my last blog. I have since then returned to almost a full week of camp, and have had a few things that have changed (slightly) my view.
My campers performed for chapel and I messed up - but it proved a point to me.
I am reading a Lyle Schaller book on the UMC.
I have 6 crazy campers.
We performed an "interpretive dance" to "Boy on a string" by Jars of Clay. I was evil and had a puppet on strings. In the end Jesus would cut the strings and Evil would leave. I forgot to give Jesus the scissors. This proved a point for me. Sin still exists. When the strings coulnd't be cut i (evil) just let go of the handle. The strings still exist - but no one is pulling on them - especially Satan.
Lyle Schaller writes about unity in the UMC. I agree that unity is extremely important. What I support and don't support shouldn't matter - this is an issue that will only divide. Therefore I should be willing to scrap my opinions and allow unity to rule.
I have 6 crazy campers. I'm not entirely sure that any of them have any real relationship with Christ. I know a few of them don't. I realized today that I want them to accept Christ ... and to give up their sin. Even though they are young they still have a lot of sin issues. I want them to have something better in their lives. I realize that I know a few of them don't have Christ in their lives because of their blatant sin. Sin shouldn't be boasted about - regardless of what it is.
I want pastors to be held accountable for their sin - I want them to sin less as they grow closer to Christ. I believe still that God calls gay people to be pastors, and that God won't always take away that sin. I still differentiate between a gay person who is in a monogamous relationship and one who is out having random sex all the time. I'm not sure where I stand, yet. Maybe I never will. I think I'm okay with that.
I am a proud United Methodist, and I want the United Methodist church to be unified. I want us to be loving to people and to hate on sin. Maybe someday we will find that balance.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
I'm back from annual conference. I had to leave early so no decisions rendered down yet. More updates later. I decided to instead pick the most controversial issue in the church - the one over which we might actually split - and blog about that. Quick note: I have no authority, doctoral title, or references. Sorry.
Homosexuality (don't pretend to be suprised - did you think I was going to blog about inclusiveness?)
Bishop Charlene Kamerer writes about an experience she had in her youth that shocked her and turned her off from church. Her (fairly conservative) Methodist church made an action plan detailing what to do if any black people ever tried to come to the church. Charlene had never felt any anger, racism, or hatred towards these black people - she had black friends. And sat in abject horror listening to her church make a plan to ensure that a strict policy of racism was enforced.
I realize that racism and homosexuality are different topics entirely. I realize that being gay is a sin and being black definetly isn't. (Although, interestingly enough - being racist is a sin - oh please don't make me write a blog on inclusiveness!) But there is a need to compare these two topics. We young adults sit and shake our heads in sorrow when our annual conference discusses this topic. Even the most accepting churches have a policy in place of what ministries gays can participate in and which they can not.
To most of the young adults in church this issue isn't a far removed "what if?" categorary, but rahter a direct reflection on our good friends - who happen to be gay. We are often turned off to church and ultimately Christ - when our churches make plans to keep people out of God's love.
We read Bishop Kamerer's account and are embarresed by how poorly the church of Jesus Christ handled the race issue. (handles?) Yet, we continue to willingly ignore our history and allow out bigotry to stand in the way of loving others and allowing change. We will have gay pastors. Gay people will be allowed FULL rights in our churches. Our decision is not whether gay people will be given these rights - our decision is whether we will have to tell our children that we were that church council creating an action plan to ward off the niggers - to keep the fags out of ministry-, or whether we will tell our children that we supported full rights for gay people - even when it was unpopular to do so.
My father wants to leave Kane First because of David and Leanna's approval of a gay lifestyle. We don't condone sin - just the idea that man is sinful. I think it is just as much a sin to reject one group of people for their sin when we have sin in our own lives. Rejection of a people group based solely on their sin is dangerous - it's much too easy. It may sound bold and courageous to fight for Christian ideals and so on ... but, real courage is loving homosexuals when it is difficult.
I have two very good friends who are bi-sexual. I also live my life by the policy of generosity. If I take you out to eat I will pay. These two factors put together equal a good bit of rumor material. Sometimes it is difficult. It would be a hell of a lot easier for me to assure them of their eternal damnation based on obscure old testament passages, a few writings of Paul, and a complete betrayal of Jesus' core message. It was difficult at times to love them. But, it was probably difficult for Jesus to die on that cross, but he did it anyway. I'm not trying to make myself out to be some Messiah figure or holier than though because I took a gay friend out for coffee. (I've learned to never crucify yourself - you can only get one hand up.) I'm just stating that it is the right thing to do - and I did it. I plan to keep doing it, too.
We will most likely continue to fight about this topic. We will probably continue to alienate youth and young adults who just don't understand what the problem is. I read once of an early Bishop in the Church who was asked to speak after is was discovered that two monks were in a homosexual relationship. I imagine that everyone was waiting expectantly for the Bishop to reign down hellfire and brimstone - and for the two sinners to be killed as it is written in Leviticus. Instead, that Bishop stood up and asked the people to instead focus on his sin.
We all have sin in our lives, and, yes, we as Christian should live our lives in Christ's freedom so that everyday was can claim victory over more sin, and realize in real and powerful ways the grace of God. Let it be known, however, that sin still exists. The next time you feel ready to judge gays for their lifestyles - look at your own sin, my sin, the pope's sin, Debbie Airgood's sin, or even Aunt Mabel's sin. It is present in everyone's life - now, tell me again why their sin is worse.
Homosexuality (don't pretend to be suprised - did you think I was going to blog about inclusiveness?)
Bishop Charlene Kamerer writes about an experience she had in her youth that shocked her and turned her off from church. Her (fairly conservative) Methodist church made an action plan detailing what to do if any black people ever tried to come to the church. Charlene had never felt any anger, racism, or hatred towards these black people - she had black friends. And sat in abject horror listening to her church make a plan to ensure that a strict policy of racism was enforced.
I realize that racism and homosexuality are different topics entirely. I realize that being gay is a sin and being black definetly isn't. (Although, interestingly enough - being racist is a sin - oh please don't make me write a blog on inclusiveness!) But there is a need to compare these two topics. We young adults sit and shake our heads in sorrow when our annual conference discusses this topic. Even the most accepting churches have a policy in place of what ministries gays can participate in and which they can not.
To most of the young adults in church this issue isn't a far removed "what if?" categorary, but rahter a direct reflection on our good friends - who happen to be gay. We are often turned off to church and ultimately Christ - when our churches make plans to keep people out of God's love.
We read Bishop Kamerer's account and are embarresed by how poorly the church of Jesus Christ handled the race issue. (handles?) Yet, we continue to willingly ignore our history and allow out bigotry to stand in the way of loving others and allowing change. We will have gay pastors. Gay people will be allowed FULL rights in our churches. Our decision is not whether gay people will be given these rights - our decision is whether we will have to tell our children that we were that church council creating an action plan to ward off the niggers - to keep the fags out of ministry-, or whether we will tell our children that we supported full rights for gay people - even when it was unpopular to do so.
My father wants to leave Kane First because of David and Leanna's approval of a gay lifestyle. We don't condone sin - just the idea that man is sinful. I think it is just as much a sin to reject one group of people for their sin when we have sin in our own lives. Rejection of a people group based solely on their sin is dangerous - it's much too easy. It may sound bold and courageous to fight for Christian ideals and so on ... but, real courage is loving homosexuals when it is difficult.
I have two very good friends who are bi-sexual. I also live my life by the policy of generosity. If I take you out to eat I will pay. These two factors put together equal a good bit of rumor material. Sometimes it is difficult. It would be a hell of a lot easier for me to assure them of their eternal damnation based on obscure old testament passages, a few writings of Paul, and a complete betrayal of Jesus' core message. It was difficult at times to love them. But, it was probably difficult for Jesus to die on that cross, but he did it anyway. I'm not trying to make myself out to be some Messiah figure or holier than though because I took a gay friend out for coffee. (I've learned to never crucify yourself - you can only get one hand up.) I'm just stating that it is the right thing to do - and I did it. I plan to keep doing it, too.
We will most likely continue to fight about this topic. We will probably continue to alienate youth and young adults who just don't understand what the problem is. I read once of an early Bishop in the Church who was asked to speak after is was discovered that two monks were in a homosexual relationship. I imagine that everyone was waiting expectantly for the Bishop to reign down hellfire and brimstone - and for the two sinners to be killed as it is written in Leviticus. Instead, that Bishop stood up and asked the people to instead focus on his sin.
We all have sin in our lives, and, yes, we as Christian should live our lives in Christ's freedom so that everyday was can claim victory over more sin, and realize in real and powerful ways the grace of God. Let it be known, however, that sin still exists. The next time you feel ready to judge gays for their lifestyles - look at your own sin, my sin, the pope's sin, Debbie Airgood's sin, or even Aunt Mabel's sin. It is present in everyone's life - now, tell me again why their sin is worse.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
I am now at annual conference. I love being surrounded by United Methodists. Of note on the agenda this week:
The district superidentants will be given 200% the average salary of a pastor. This is nothing new, of course, but this year they chose a verse in 1 Timothy where it says that "those who serve well should be given double honor" to justify this. I don't think anyone would mind their salary, but a few people are upset at the mangling of scripture.
The Bishop's new "Believe Again" campaign will be debated. Not so much the idea that we need hope and an infusion of faith - but more the idea that this will cost money. Let the debate begin!!! I can imagine a great deal of change happening in this conference - but it will take some money and resources to get things moving.
In the section where we generally discuss special offerings and such a bill is included about capital punishment and each district electing a delegate to fight against it. It should be in section 8 - but that is where the "Believe Again" campaign is goign to be. Oh well - at least another section will be exciting.
I love United Methodists. There really is nothing like a moment of Methodist Hymnody in the Morning at Annual Conference. Oh, I love Holy Conferencing.
The district superidentants will be given 200% the average salary of a pastor. This is nothing new, of course, but this year they chose a verse in 1 Timothy where it says that "those who serve well should be given double honor" to justify this. I don't think anyone would mind their salary, but a few people are upset at the mangling of scripture.
The Bishop's new "Believe Again" campaign will be debated. Not so much the idea that we need hope and an infusion of faith - but more the idea that this will cost money. Let the debate begin!!! I can imagine a great deal of change happening in this conference - but it will take some money and resources to get things moving.
In the section where we generally discuss special offerings and such a bill is included about capital punishment and each district electing a delegate to fight against it. It should be in section 8 - but that is where the "Believe Again" campaign is goign to be. Oh well - at least another section will be exciting.
I love United Methodists. There really is nothing like a moment of Methodist Hymnody in the Morning at Annual Conference. Oh, I love Holy Conferencing.
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