It is official: we will not speak with each other at General Conference. We will only speak at each other. And we will do so in three-minute increments, limited to only three arguments for and three against. Yes, we will “decide” extraordinarily complex issues with an archaic method utterly unsuited to the way humans actually enter into life-changing dialogue with each other. But that is the decision of the “United” Methodist Church. Or rather, in my extremely cynical moment, the... Read more
I didn’t get around to eating today. We left the house early and our live-in cook for the team, Charles Harrison, who also functions as the chauffeur and two dozen other absolutely necessary things, needed to get four of us to a meeting. So, a cup of black tea and a couple of tiny clementines held me until about 2:30, when I suddenly thought, “I’m ravenously hungry.” Taking my gluten-free, lactose intolerant body for a stroll, I looked for a place in the... Read more
The Rev. Don Underwood, at his sixth General Conference as delegate and his ninth overall, stated in a morning briefing with the North Texas Conference delegates, “We are sinking further and further into the graveyard of procedural stuff. We can’t even get to the rules.” No joke. The schedule of General Conference calls for a 6:30 pm dismissal. At the last GC, the dismissal time was 9:30 pm, leading to entirely too-fatigued delegates and presiding Bishops and may have been... Read more
I’m tired. I admit it. And this is just the first day, and a half day at that. I’ve been observing/writing since early morning. I just finished writing up the first worship service with its clarion call for unity in diversity, a call that almost sent a gasp of discomfort through the room. The speaker was Bishop Warner Brown from San Francisco. He spoke strongly about our need to honor Wesley’s “catholic spirit” and hold our differences with integrity but... Read more
OK, Portland is gorgeous. Lovely flowering bushes sweetly frame the craftsman-style bungalow, an Airbnb rental where I’m staying with the United Methodist Reporter team. Delicious coolness kissed the morning air as a cloudless blue sky belied Portland’s reputation as a place that rains all the time. I would be happy just to sit outside and read a book, or wander into one of the many local shops, or take a miles-long walk through the charming neighborhood surrounding us. But we... Read more
Shortly (actually not so shortly as my flight has just been delayed) I leave for Portland, Oregon to observe and write about the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. As always, it promises to be contentious. In my sleepless moments last night, I pondered the whole nature of Christianity. Here we are, trying to send out a current and impactful message of hopeful grace but . . . Our faith is built upon a religion that sprang from the ancient middle east... Read more
I used to tell my sons, “Just concentrate on your studies and becoming well-rounded young men. I’ll pick your wives for you and then present them to you when it’s time.” They properly ignored me and each married a woman far better than I could have ever chosen. However, in the past few days, cyberspace exploded with the news that a group associated with quiverful theology was planning a “Let Them Marry” retreat. For those unfamiliar with it, quiverful is a movement... Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I ride public transportation to get to work: two trains and a bus each direction. Over the months I have done this, I have had the opportunity to observe my fellow passengers’ behaviors. I have learned not to notice the smell of DART trains. I have become accustomed to traveling with people who clearly have little control over their situations. I can deal with that. But once in a while I observe someone whose behavior is clearly... Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: If someone belongs to an “Evangelical” church that believes members need to be evangelizing (presumably to save other people from hell) how do they decide how much of each day they devote to this endeavor? I’m asking this question because many of my friends are conservative evangelicals and I am genuinely trying to understand their worldview. My mind wants to map it out by percentages – first of all, how much of each day should they do... Read more
Stop. No screaming “Don’t you dare take away my second amendment rights!!!”” No shouting the mantra, “Guns don’t kill people, people do.” None of that until you read this article. Or at least this piece of it; In the seven days that ended Tuesday, in addition to the death of Ms. Price, a 3 year old in Georgia, a 3 year old in Louisiana, a 2 year old in Missouri and a 2 year old in Indiana fatally shot themselves; a... Read more
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