Witness
First of all, I would like to state that my posts are for me, a way to attempt to get my thoughts in order, and vocalize them. Many times I write my posts when frustrated. I don't always say things the best, and most appropriate ways. Two days ago I posted something that wasn't clear. When I said "Who teaches this stuff?!" I was referring to the specific rationale from one certain person that somehow Church membership becomes meaningless if pastors can't enforce certain "regulations" which in my mind makes churches, 'clubs.' Sure, the Methodist part of United Methodism began with Holy Clubs, but we've grown beyond that, into churches that claim we are all the Body of Christ. (a claim we make, but don't support with actions.) I was also speaking with the homosexuality issue in mind, because the reason for this petition stemmed from a case in Virginia where a pastor didn't allow a gay man membership to the UMC because he was gay, even though this person had been a faithful participant at the church for quite sometime. Because of this, it was harder for me to recognize the other reasoning behind supporting this petition, especially since the way the rest of the church voted on issues of homosexuality that day.
Now, there was a witness on the floor of GC yesterday that was amazing. It was a witness, or an "organized protest" that was extremely respectful, and amazing. Before the morning break, many people, hundreds of people, lined the aisles of the floor, while dressed in black. At the center was a communion table with black cloth covering it. Bishops stood on stage and held hands, and members of the floor, also stood in support of the witness. They began singing "Were You There" while holding hands half way up, in prayer. When the song finished, there was an amazing statement, calling the church on its sinfulness because of the decisions the day before. I CANNOT do it justice, and therefore am including a link to the video. (This is an archive page that includes media from the entire conference. You can find it by looking under May 1st, and clicking on the Witness video.) Afterwards, people were invited to put a piece of black material on the covered communion table, representing brokenness in the church. It was EXTREMELY powerful.
I was reminded of the movie "The Great Debaters" when the debate team from the black college, Wiley College, was finally invited to debate a debate team from a white college. The topic of the debate was school integration. The white debater stated that integration was a good thing, but that the nation wasn't ready for it, and it simply was not the time to do it. Samantha Booke, from Wiley College replied with, “No, the time for justice, the time for freedom and the time for equality is always, is always right now.” I feel that yesterday's statement was just as powerful, maybe more. Any more that I say will just take away from the powerful nature of yesterday's statement.
On another track of thought, I was in bed this morning thinking about GC, and its actions, or lack of actions. How dare the church attempt to deny God's calling in someones life.
Maybe I need to think about it more, before I write more. Maybe I need to reflect more. . .but for 4 more years?!
Now, there was a witness on the floor of GC yesterday that was amazing. It was a witness, or an "organized protest" that was extremely respectful, and amazing. Before the morning break, many people, hundreds of people, lined the aisles of the floor, while dressed in black. At the center was a communion table with black cloth covering it. Bishops stood on stage and held hands, and members of the floor, also stood in support of the witness. They began singing "Were You There" while holding hands half way up, in prayer. When the song finished, there was an amazing statement, calling the church on its sinfulness because of the decisions the day before. I CANNOT do it justice, and therefore am including a link to the video. (This is an archive page that includes media from the entire conference. You can find it by looking under May 1st, and clicking on the Witness video.) Afterwards, people were invited to put a piece of black material on the covered communion table, representing brokenness in the church. It was EXTREMELY powerful.
I was reminded of the movie "The Great Debaters" when the debate team from the black college, Wiley College, was finally invited to debate a debate team from a white college. The topic of the debate was school integration. The white debater stated that integration was a good thing, but that the nation wasn't ready for it, and it simply was not the time to do it. Samantha Booke, from Wiley College replied with, “No, the time for justice, the time for freedom and the time for equality is always, is always right now.” I feel that yesterday's statement was just as powerful, maybe more. Any more that I say will just take away from the powerful nature of yesterday's statement.
On another track of thought, I was in bed this morning thinking about GC, and its actions, or lack of actions. How dare the church attempt to deny God's calling in someones life.
Maybe I need to think about it more, before I write more. Maybe I need to reflect more. . .but for 4 more years?!