United Methodist Revised Social Principles

Last night I attended another RMN (Reconciling Ministries Network" Field Guide to General Conference on ZOOM. This one was on the United Methodist Revised Social Principles.

John Hill, Interim General Secretary for GBCS (Global Board of Church and Society) led the discussion, which was very informative and helpful.

There were several things that caught my attention and stuck with me.

• The re-ordering of information and conciseness of it all. I like the way the revised social principles ordered topics, arranging them logically and in helpful categories. Being able to see the side-by-side changes was helpful in understanding these changes.
• Another  thing that stood out to me was the wording of "Community of All Creation".  What a beautiful way to word that section.
• The entire "preamble" is pretty awesome (pages 6-7). This section below is what John shared at the closing of the ZOOM meeting:

"Therefore, whenever significant differences of opinion occur among Christians, some of which continue to divide the church deeply today, faithful Christians need to face their disagreements and even their despair, and not cover differences with false claims of consensus or unanimity. On the contrary, the church needs to embrace conflicts with courage and perseverance as we seek together to discern God’s will. With that understanding and commitment, we pledge ourselves to acknowledge and to embrace with courage, trust, and hope those controversies that arise among us, accepting them as evidence that God is not yet finished in sculpting us to be God’s people."

"God is not yet finished in sculpting us to be God's people." Wow. That has sanctifying grace written all over it. It rings true. It resonates. Can we live into it? Can we lean into it? Can we allow the God of creation to continue working in and through all of us?

The very end of the preamble says this: (it wasn't shared in our ZOOM meeting, but I find it powerful as well)

"Recognizing that God is our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, we seek to center our lives and witness on God. We are confident that nothing can separate us from the grace of God, and that the social witness of the church is a testimony to that grace. With God’s help, we pledge to share ministry and honor everyone’s dignity, even when we disagree, to seek the mind of Christ, and to follow God’s will in all things."

This is to be  our focus as followers of Christ, "to seek the mind of Christ, and to follow God's will in all things."

I have hope for us moving forward, that we can lean into the Holy Spirit's movement and be God's people, sharing ministry and mission in ways that offer grace to all people.

Another aspect of last night's ZOOM that was encouraging is that when these Revised Social Principles are adopted (yes, that's my optimism), there will be a study guide and other resources added to them, similar to the availability of those resources for the current edition. 

John mentioned that the hope is that people will find this revision more "readable, teachable, and preachable". That is exciting! I enjoy reading, teaching, and preaching! 

These Revised Social Principles are meant to empower and equip ministry and mission across all contexts. 

In the "Community of All Creation" section, a John Wesley quote begins the section: 

"The great lesson that our blessed Lord inculcates here…is that God is in all things, and that we are to see the Creator in the glass of every creature; that we should use and look upon nothing as separate from God…who pervades and actuates the whole created frame, and is, in a true sense, the soul of the universe."

"God is in all things."

"We are to see the Creator in the glass of every creature."

If these are true statements, then who are we to continue NOT seeing God in all of creation, human and otherwise?!?!  How can we become better stewards of what God has given us to love, to take care of, to watch over-- in all of creation-- human and otherwise?!?!

I haven't read all of the Revised Social Principles yet, but will work my way through them. I am definitely encouraged by last night's introduction to them, as it was my first time to hear about them.

Peace on the adventurous journey, 

Rev. Deb

to order this t-shirt, click on this link

LINKS:

GBCS website-- all sorts of information and resources-- check it out!

2016 Social Principles

Revised Social Principles Reflect Worldwide Church-- article written by Kathy Gilbert, 12/12/19

The Revised Social Principles, Creation Justice, and General Conference-- article written by Mark Davies and Sharon Delgado, 2/8/24

The Importance of Removing Harmful Language from the United Methodist Book of Discipline

Last night I attended a "Field Guide to General Conference" sponsored by RMN (Reconciling Ministries Network) on the topic of removing the language from the United Methodist Book of Discipline at the upcoming General Conference 2020, to be held in April 2024.

I could go into the history about how it wasn't there for the longest time, but I'm not. 

My focus is going to be on my reflections from last night's Zoom meeting that was led by Rev. Molly Vetter from L.A., California.

One of the things we did in this workshop was answer the three questions:

• Why is this (removing the language) important to me?
• Why is this important to us (us-- can be United Methodists, identity of United Methodists, Conference, etc.)
• Why is this important now?

Rev. Molly Vetter shared that these three questions come from Marshall Ganz  who is a social movement legend (per the website I posted) and has lots of experience in social and community change.

I realized that even though I am for removing the language from the Book of Discipline, I haven't thought about it in these terms.

For those who aren't aware what "language" I am referring to, here is a link for all the sections.

Now, for my thoughts on the three questions:

Why is removing the language that is harmful important to me?

There is language that affirms everyone as "persons sacred of worth", then goes on to say that even so, they aren't eligible to serve, become ordained, or be married by clergy, etc. Can you say "mixed message"?!?!? It is important to me that there is no mixed message. People are either sacred of worth or they aren't. And, we aren't the ones to decide. God, Creator, Great Spirit, the One who created (Psalm 139) and who names and calls us by name (Isaiah 43:1) is the One for that.

Removing harmful language is important to me because I've seen so much hurt in the LGBTQ+ community because of it. Thankfully, I did serve a RMN church where the gay community was allowed to lead music, teach classes, and preach. I loved asking my siblings in Christ to fill the pulpit for me when I was going to be away. The grace of God was palpable in and through them.

That brings me to another reason for me that it so important to remove any and all harmful language. In my humble opinion, it goes against God's grace. And for me, it's all about grace. As a follower of Christ and as a Wesleyan, grace is a foundation of lived out faith. And, maybe it's just me, but harmful language to my siblings in the Kingdom does not show grace. 

I don't want to continue the harm we've been perpetuating for years. It hurts my heart to see all the brokenness and pain it has caused to those who love God, to those I love, and to those who have decided that Christians aren't Christ-like.

Why is removing the language important for us (as United Methodists)?

My answer to this one flows from my personal answer. For me, the identity of a United Methodist has a foundation in grace. There are other foundational doctrines. Check out the #BeUMC link below for themes. Another place to go is John Wesley's statement: "Do no harm; do good; stay in love with God." This became known as the three general rules. Rueben Job wrote a small book about them: Three Simple Rules.  Another version of this book that I prefer is Three Simple Questions.  I didn't find out about this second one until several years ago. I recommend them both, but like I said, the second one stands out for me. 

As we as United Methodists attempt to "do no harm" and live out the grace of God, it simply makes sense to remove harmful language. By not removing language, we are continuing to create a barrier of exclusivity, of hurt, of harm. Isn't it time to do the difficult work of healing?

Which brings me to the third question:

Why is this important now?

If not now, then when? How long do we continue causing harm? When do we truly begin to live into the grace of God for all God's people? When do we offer a place of healing for people who are called by God to serve in the kingdom of God?

Other denominations have done the difficult work of healing, of reflection, of digging deep into the heart of God to allow God through the Holy Spirit to do an amazing work in and through lives.

Can we, as the United Methodist denomination be open to the working of the Holy Spirit and allow her to flow like a mighty wind into our system? Can we be moved into a place and space of grace that allows us all to find new and deeper meaning of what it means to be in community with all persons of sacred worth?

The meeting was closed out last night with a reading, a benediction of sorts from Sam Parkes that really touched me. I hope to be able to see it soon (I am a visual learner primarily and it helps me to see things.)

I hope for healing for all the LGBTQ+ beloved siblings who have been hurt by the church and Christians. I want to be part of the healing process, not the harming process.

I hope for them, for you (if you're reading this) that we will get it right in the United Methodist denomination. Regardless, I hope you know how beloved you are, created uniquely by the Creator. Listen to the Inner Voice of the One who created you.

May we all listen to that voice and respond as we deem appropriate, 

Rev. Deb

Additional articles and links:

The UMC's Messy Language about Sexuality -- Chris Ritter, April 2016

#BeUMC

#ResistHarm

Clay Pots-- Sermon from June 3rd

Last Sunday's sermon was "Clay Pots" based on the passage from 2 Corinthians 4:5-12.  I almost went with the title of "Cracked Pots", but decided not to use that, though I liked it.  I think my co-pastor did. I did use a version of the story of the cracked pot in the sermon, however, to share the message.  I will say more about that after the sermon notes below.  I also just came across a good resource that fits in well, so I will share that too.

As with any sermon, what is written here is not always exactly what is shared during the sermon time.  Things are added or taken away.  I wish I could remember some of the Spirit-led, God-breathed things that come out during the sermon, but I usually can't, don't.  At least not very well or in detail. I know I said some things about "this" or "that", but not well enough to add them here for you.

Since I don't know what you need to hear/read, I share what was prepared prior to the speaking of the sermon, in case there is something that strikes you as you read it. Maybe, just maybe, there is something for you here.

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“Clay Pots”

2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (CEB)

June 3, 2018 (2^nd Sunday after Pentecost)

Flintstone UMC, Simpson UMC

2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (CEB)

⁵ We don’t preach about ourselves. Instead, we preach about Jesus Christ as Lord, and we describe ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.⁶ God said that light should shine out of the darkness. He is the same one who shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in clay pots so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn’t come from us. ⁸ We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. ⁹ We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.

¹⁰ We always carry Jesus’ death around in our bodies so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies. ¹¹ We who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies that are dying. ¹² So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

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In today’s passage we are reminded that light will shine out of darkness, that the treasure we have is in clay pots, and that Jesus’ life can be seen in our bodies that are dying.  We also are reminded that as we experience all kinds of trouble, we aren’t crushed, we aren’t abandoned, we aren’t knocked down. The CEB version says we aren’t “depressed”, yet we know depression exists.  Another way to say that is that we aren’t driven to despair.  Each of these situations show getting to the brink, the edge, but not going all the way over.

What is it that makes the difference?  It is the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ (verse 6) that helps us through any situation.

But, we do have troubled times, right?  Things happen and we can’t make sense of it all or we are overwhelmed.

I want to share a parable that has been around for many years about clay pots.  This version is slightly different, however, so pay attention to what might be different.

Once upon a time, there lived a servant who fetched water every morning for her mistress. She carried it in two large clay pots that she hung on either end of a pole, which she bore across the back of her neck and shoulders.

The pots were smooth and rounded, and perfectly suited to the task of holding the clear, clean water from the river. They were identical except for the fact that one was older than the other. After the long dusty walk up from the river, the water bearer emptied the clay pots into storage vessels at her mistress’s house.

One day, the water bearer saw that the older of the two pots had developed a crack through which a little water dripped. Over time, other small cracks appeared, and more and more water leaked out as the servant made her way up the hill from the river to the house. It wasn’t long before the cracked pot was only ever half full by the time the water bearer arrived at the kitchen door.

“Throw out that old cracked pot, and get a new one,” the cook scolded the water bearer. “Soon it won’t be able to hold any water at all! It’s broken and can’t be fixed, and it’s only half as good as the other.”

The pot that remained crack free seemed to swell with pride as the cook shouted. The water bearer said nothing. She emptied the old pot’s contents into a barrel, and then placed it gently back in its rope sling, ready for the next day’s journey to the river.

The poor old pot was ashamed of her deficits — miserable that she could accomplish only half of what she used to. That night, she lay next to her clay companion who hadn’t talked to her since the cook’s harsh words that morning, and she wept because she was so much less than she had been.

“I’m no good to anyone anymore, just like the cook said,” the old pot thought as she cried, and the pain caused her cracks to crack open a little wider.

The next day when they got down to the river, the old pot plucked up every ounce of courage she had and spoke as the water bearer dipped her into the fast-flowing current.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you,” she said.

“Why?” replied the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I used to be perfect and appreciated, but now I’m old and cracked and worthless, just like the cook said,” the words rushed out as swiftly as the river ran. “Because of my flaws I’m a burden rather than a help. You do all of the work, and I’m no use at all.”

But the water bearer was full of compassion, and she loved the cracked pot, “Look at the beautiful flowers on the way back to the house. I think they will cheer you up,” she said.

Indeed, as the water bearer carried her up the hill, the old pot paid special attention to the flowers. She had been so preoccupied with her cracks and flaws that she had failed to notice their beauty before. She soaked in the warmth of the sun on her curves, and swayed gently as the water bearer trudged along the path. She even felt as if her cracks might be closing slightly.

But at the end of the trail, once again half of her water had leaked out, and she returned to despair.

“I’m so sorry,” she cried.

“Did you notice the flowers only grow on one side of the path?” the water bearer questioned. “I planted seeds on your side when I first noticed you had a crack. When you cracked a little more, I planted more seeds, and as I carry you up to the house you water them and the flowers they produce every morning.”

“In the afternoon, I pick the flowers for my mistress’s table. Without you being just the way you are, she wouldn’t have this beauty to grace her house, and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it as I walk down to the river and back.”

With that, the old cracked pot never felt “less than” or worthless again. Instead, she felt loved and useful. She fulfilled her destiny, and relished the journey back and forth to the river every day. She took pleasure in watering the flowers, and watching them grow. Eventually, the cracks weakened her to the point that she broke into pieces, which the water bearer buried on the side of the path so the flowers might wrap their roots around the clay for stability and strength.

http://myalzheimersstory.com/2017/09/24/the-story-of-the-cracked-pot-and-the-flowers-it-grew/

This version of the “cracked pot” was written by Susan Macaulay on her alzheimer’s blog so that she could reframe the stigma associated with aging and dementia.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.  We are all aging and need to be more aware of symptoms and resources.

May we remember that God can use us, if we are willing to let the light shine out of the darkness, to our dying day.

May the treasure in you, the light and love of Jesus Christ, shine forth for others to see so that they can come to know the love of Christ and the glory of God.

As we gather at the Lord’s Table today, may we remember that we come together to remember the One who shone in our hearts, who gave us the light of knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

May it be so.

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Prior to posting the sermon above, I mentioned a resource I just found that might be helpful. I read an article that interviewed Bishop Carder and it mentioned resources.

Here is a link to that article: Alzheimer's/Dementia: Ministry With The Forgotten

Here is a link from UMC.org about this too: The United Methodist Church Releases Alzheimer's/Dementia Resource.

Here is a link to those resources from the TN conference: TN UMC Dementia Resources.

Here is an article from UMC.org on a book that discusses faith and aging and the spiritual pilgrimage that it involves: Faith and Aging: A Spiritual Pilgrimage

Here is a link for the Aging and Faith Facebook page: Aging and Faith.

Whether the sermon and resources are for you, your loved ones, or others in your circles of life, may they be the start of understanding, compassion, and helping all to see the beauty in shining the love and light from who and where we are at a given time in life.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

The Way Forward

Last night I heard one of the best and most encouraging talks I have heard on the United Methodist Church's "The Way Forward" and how we, as United Methodists, can be engaged at this time.

Truthfully, outside of colleague discussions and reading some things in the news, this is the first talk I've heard from our Conference and District, in an official way.  It was a breath of fresh air to get the conversation going.  Reverend Al Bowles did an excellent job.

He began with a quote from Bishop Ough who is on the committee for the way forward.  In that quote, the Bishop's focus was that we have a commitment to stay at the table.  That resonates with me.  It is easier to leave the table when we are frustrated and discouraged.  It is much more difficult to do the work of listening to those with whom we disagree at the table.  It reminds me of John Pavlovitz's book A Bigger Table, in that there is always room for others at the table and when we make room to listen to one another, we may often be surprised that we have more in common than we first thought.  I recommend Pavlovitz's book as part of this discussion and as part of what it means to enlarge the table.  But that wasn't part of last night's discussion.

Rev. Al Bowles posed this question, but I don't remember if it was his or from Bishop Ough: "Are we doing enough at our local churches to stay at the table and own the struggle?"

Let that question sink in.  It's a good one.

He spoke to us about a "courageous conversation project" that was being done in another conference.  It sounded like something I had read on the South Georgia Conference when I was looking for a "spring forward" meme a few weeks back and ran across the South Georgia Conference website that was full of resources for the way forward for their people.  I asked after the meeting. It wasn't that conference.

For your perusal, here is the link to the South Georgia Conference and their resources: South Georgia Conference-- Commission on a Way Forward

Rev. Al Bowles share with us that the conference he referred to was using courageous conversations to engage folks.  There were 27 conversations in all throughout the conference where folks could come out and learn from one another, grow in their own view, and yet not attempt to change others.  This is about respectfully listening to one another, regardless of views.

Today, I looked up these Courageous Conversations and found that it is a "thing".  It caught my attention when Rev. Bowles mentioned that part of the conversations' goals were to share the facts and help people move from skepticism to curiosity to openness.  We need less skepticism and more curiosity and openness.

On the link for Courageous Conversations, I saw those words and information about how to get those types of conversations going.  There is even a booklet in PDF form that is there for downloading.

Here is the link for the Courageous Conversations information on Discipleship Ministries.

Here is the link for the booklet for the Courageous Conversations.

Rev. Bowles shared that these conversations are not a time for debate because debate has winners and losers, but rather they are grace filled conversations that offer a space of safe grace.

It is a tool for folks to be able to stay at the table.

He shared the opening questions from a meeting included ice breakers such as "What brought you here?", "Do you prefer small groups or Sunday School?", "Do you attend a traditional worship service or contemporary?"  Then, as people began to get to know one another, the questions began to include the LGBTQ conversation.

It would be great to see the questions and to offer these courageous conversations locally.

There is a link that has Courageous Conversation sample outlines for Gun Violence, Climate Change, Human Sexuality, etc.  Since the focus of the way forward is the latter, I'm including that below.  The general link can be found here.

Here is the sample outline for Courageous Conversations on Human Sexuality.  On this link you will find other resources needed, such as a prayer guide.

I found the conference in the Southeastern Jurisdiction that has initiated these conversations.  It is the Alabama-West Florida Conference.  That's cool.  Here is a link to a news article about their Courageous Conversations. All laity and clergy are encouraged to attend one of these sessions.  The cabinet met to do one as well.  What also made me happy is to see that they offered on in Spanish.  Thank you, Alabama-West Florida for doing this!  I hope and pray that we will learn from this example.

The Western North Carolina Conference has Healthy Conversation resources, along with a timeline, videos, reading resources.  Their main link can be found here. On their "A Way Forward" resource list, they include conservative and progressive resources.  You can find it on the previous link or click here for direct access.

There were two handouts last night.

One was a list of books, "Way Forward Resources for the Local Church" and also a link for "Finding the Way Forward".

The list of books can be found on some of the other sites I've mentioned, but I will list them here.

• Unafraid and Unashamed: Facing the Future of United Methodism by Wil Cantrell (leader's guide at unafraidandunashamed.com/leadersguide)
• God Unbound by Elaine Heath
• Bid Our Jarring Conflicts Cease: A Wesleyan Theology and Praxis of Church Unity by David Field
• Unity of the Church and Human Sexuality (Study Guide) by GBHEM
• Unity of the Church and Human Sexuality by GBHEM
• Living Faith: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church by David Barnhart and Rebekah Jordan
• Is It Time?: Helping Laity and Clergy Discuss Homosexuality One Question at a Time by Adolf Hansen
• Finding Our Way by Neil Alexander (etc.)

Click here to go to the link for "Finding the Way Forward".  From there you can see resource links and a document.

I haven't read any of the books listed on the handout we got last night.  I have read some of the books I saw on the Western North Carolina list and have seen a couple of movies.  I have read other books as well.

I will keep reading.  I will keep studying Scripture.  I will keep praying.  I will keep listening to the Holy Spirit.

I want to sit at the table and listen and converse with others.

Ultimately, I want to stay at the table.  The table may change how it looks.  I hope it gets bigger, like the dining room table at a big holiday.

Regardless, my heart's desire is to continue loving God, loving others, and loving self.

That was the second message from last night.  Bishop Looney gave a wonderful message too.  He spoke on the question of "how is it with your soul?" and answering with 'do I love God?', 'do I love neighbor?', 'do I love self?'  Bishop Looney shared of himself and it dove-tailed perfectly with the previous message, at least for me. What a blessing last night to hear from both those guys.

As I went forward for communion, tears filled my eyes.  I truly believe there is going to be a way forward.

May it be so.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra