Still processing

I am still processing general conference. Still figuring out what exactly it all means to me. I can say that i will be a regularly attendee of conference. i think it is important to see the connection at work. I really appreciated being there. I appreciated seeing delegates and observers all over the world. It was great to be part of the witness against the injustices that the church participates in. It was even more wonderful that the general conference raised close to $450,000 by bidding on a basketball ( I always knew my basketball connection would turn into a church connection). So right now I am still a bag of mixed emotions.

However, my sermon while short went over well. I had a question and answer session after the sermon and of course they asked what the hot button issues are. Of course I was honest. I spoke about the issues of central/regional conferences, and about the sacramental rights of deacons, budgets, bishops, and of course homosexuality. Then i was asked my emotional state and I was honest. That I'm both hurt and hopeful. Which lead to some interesting conversations after church. Surprisingly my church was really upset about the polices of the church. I say surprisingly because i thought they would be much more conservative. However, there was talk of us taking down our open hearts, open minds, open doors banners and even taking pictures to be sent to the bishop. So I remain hopeful that my little country church who I assumed was Conservative has just surprised me!

Yesterday/last night

Well All the wind about the my excitment to be at general OCnfernce is gone. I think part of that excitment was that I thought there was going to be change . I thought at least one of the pieces of the human sexuality legislation would go through. At least the the piece about human worth and sacredness would no longer be marred but this is what we got:
"We affirm that sexuality is Gods good gift to all persons. We call everyone to responsible stewardship of this sacred gift.

Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relationships are affirmed only within the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.

We deplore all forms of commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation of children and for adequate protection, guidance, and counseling for abused children. All persons, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation, are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured and to be protected against violence. The Church should support the family in providing age-appropriate education regarding sexuality to children, youth and adults.

We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. All persons need the ministry of the church in our struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationship with God, with others, and with self. The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm that gods grace is available to all. We will live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and long one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.”


Sadly this came out of a minority report that replaced the majority report. So we at least thought the piece about clergy being able to deny membership would go down. It passed by one or two percentage points. Talk about feeling defeated. There was a lot of hurt. I simply can not understand how we as a denomination can continue to openly discriminate and continue to call ourselves followers of Christ. I just don't get it.

I am not sure what this does for my ordination. I am not sure what this does for my status as a United Methodist. I just don't know....


One other thing that really irked me was RMN and others stood to sing Jesus Loves Me (us) in solidarity and in protest and the presiding Bishop had everyone stand and do calisthenics.... If everyone stands then no one notices us. Again not sure how long I can take this!

Breakthrough!!!

Ok Wow I just had a really really big break through moment. I just read a friend/colleague's blog and I also listened to the first ever young people's address and when I got up to do some of the chores that I need to do I just had a breakthrough. I know why conference encourages me more than it drains me. It shows me how passionate we are about our denomination. Rather I agree with where the passions are placed is not it important but there are a lot of us there who are desperately passionate about our church.

And I can stay a part of this church and become an ordained member of its clergy because I to am passionate about this church. I am passionate about the church but I am NOT the church. I am me I represent my spirituality and my faith, I represent Christianity, i represent the United Methodist church, but the I am not the United Methodist church. I am simply a valuable piece of the body. I can still represent my visions and dreams wholly and with integrity even when i am in direct disgorgement with the church. In the same way that i feel that I can pastor/lead a church of varying views and opinions.

I envision an church that will never be unified in the way that we would like to be, but unified in the idea that we are all God's children. We all need to walk with Christ. We need to love wholly and fully.

First heart warming moment

So I have had my first hear warming moment at conference and I'm not even there yet! I am watching the live stream from TX and they just had a little girl on who fund raises with her church for the Nothing but nets campaign and yes it is those moments that give me hope for our denomination!!!!

General Conference

This week started the General Conference of the methodist Church. It is an exciting and sad time. I am excited that I will get to spend the last four days at the conference. I am sure that I will do plenty of blogging as news comes out of the conference as well. I ask that you keep us all in your prayers trust me we need them!

PS- They are streaming the conference live!

General Conference

Ok so General conference is coming up in the Methodist church and there has already been a lot of blogging going on already. And of course the hot button issues of human sexuality keeps rearing it's head. Here's my question why is that the one issue both sides dig in their feet for and are ready to fight till possibly the death? Now I am of course one of those people I do feel that it is a very important issue of inclusively, love and civil rights. I am not throwing any stones in glass houses here or I am at least not trying too.

However, I don't feel like there are any other really burning issues that people are really passionate about. Maybe I just don't know enough yet. Maybe, there are other issues that we feel passionate about. I know that we need to start getting passionate about saving the Church. Not just the Methodist church but the church in general. We are losing a whole generation and I am afraid we are simply going to continue losing generations. I think we need to look at how far we have gone away from Wesley's vision ( at least in my opinion).

So what do you think is important? What issues should we as a church be discussing


***** Beth Quick has a similar conversation going on over at her blog