Well, we have embraced a Zen-like attitude with General Conference….. We are meditating on nothingness. The Buddhists call it a koan; one is given a word, phrase or sentence for meditation purposes. So, here’s a koan for the last night of General Conference: Difference under the same name is not unity by name. The United
A day was met with significant connection as a conference. On the day’s schedule was the talk of human sexuality. We knew quickly what it means to be a ‘global’ church. The divergence of opinion spoke of a Church torn asunder by differences in Biblical interpretations, sociological understandings and personal experiences. Listening to hushed conversations
The United Methodist Church will look different for our boards and agencies. The General Conference passed a new structure for the United Methodist Church. You can see the plan at www.umc.org very soon. Without getting into the details, I want to talk of a larger systemic nuance. For tonight, we also had a memorial service
There are few things ‘guaranteed’ today, not the weather and, certainly, not the economy. Today, at General Conference, the legislative body voted to not guarantee appointments or the verbiage we have come to know it, ‘secured appointment.’ What an interesting time in Methodism, but other institutions have made this move to holding to account those
We gather in worship once again guided by the gospel of Mark. The funny thing about the gospel of Mark is that Mark doesn’t let Jesus breathe. Jesus, from the the very beginning of Mark, is moving from place to place, person to person, concern to concern. It seems that every time Jesus takes a
On these days of General Conference, I watched the challenge of change in a legislative committee and have celebrated the 40th anniversary of ordination of women. Our church is in need of change and in need of courage. The General Administration legislative committee were facing a petition to restructure our boards and agencies. For four
There is something about seeing the global Church come together. The languages, the faces, the dress, the handshakes are all different but there’s something about smiles that bring us together. When we smile together, we are bridging the miles and experiences that separate us. Smiles invite us into a greater relationship; it is the first
In this third day, we flew pretty close to the ground after some 30,000 foot flying the last two days. I was privileged to sit in the sub-committee work of the General Board of Global Ministries where we discussed rural chaplains, Congolese genocides and the oppression of the people of East Turkistan. It was an
We started our day as a delegation with communion, business and an invitation. Communion and business gave us a vision for our day, but the invitation was of great importance. We were asked to consider to dedicate our time in honor and/or memory of one who has blessed us. We heard names of mentors, family
What am I doing on a plane to Tampa? Has my career, education and experience led me to this place? I cannot imagine that as I was taking United Methodist polity courses that I would have found myself around the tables, hallways and byways with some great minds in Methodist Christianity. Sitting now in the