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Commentary:
Pray for gentle hearts at General Conference
By Dan Taylor
It’s Friday and the sun is shining. I’ve had a busy week as I have gone about introducing new projected pastors to their projected appointments. I’ve also spent part of a day at a Holston Conference delegates meeting. This meeting addressed General Conference, which happens April 27-May 7 in Pittsburgh. I’m writing a response to some disgruntled folks in one of the Big Stone Gap District churches. I’ve answered some e-mail, allowed my name to be placed in nomination for the Board at Hiwassee College. And the clock is just now approaching noon. All this is a part of the ministry that God called me to.
Yesterday at the delegates meeting in White Pine, Tenn., we had an open session to allow church members to say what they wanted to those attending General Conference. It was a good moment in the church. The head delegate, Jean Henderson, asked that all who spoke to do so in love – and those who did speak did just that. No histrionics, no pyrotechnics, just well thought-out talk. Wouldn’t it be great if those who come to General Conference with agendas could be the same way? Willing to speak in a moderate tone and to listen to what others have to say. Unfortunately, we in America seem more focused on winning at any cost. You can see it in our political process in which each candidate tries to demonize the other.
When George Bush Sr., ran for president in 1988, his campaign manager was Lee Atwater. You will remember that it was a particularly bitter campaign highlighted by an ad featuring Willie Horton. Candidate Michael Dukakis was made to appear as if he were soft on crime and that Horton would be living next to us if he were elected. This was painful to see – because not only was Dukakis demonized, so were African American men. The not-so-subtle message was, “You don’t want people who look like this walking the streets.” Lee Atwater had a take-no-prisoners style, and George Bush was elected 41st president of the United States.
You may also remember that some years later, Atwater developed brain cancer. As he lay dying in a hospital, he asked if Dukakis would come and see him. In that hospital room, from his bed, Lee Atwater apologized to Michael Dukakis and said what he had done was wrong. In that same hospital room, Michael Dukakis forgave.
I hope that as General Conference moves through its process that we will pray for gentle hearts and listening ears. I hope that we will not demonize anyone. I pray that the delegates can find a solution that best serves the United Methodist Church. But more importantly, I pray that what happens at General Conference is what God would have us do.
Reprinted with permission. The Rev. Taylor is superintendent of the Big Stone Gap District and a Holston delegate to Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.
- For an interview with Holston’s Jean Henderson on General Conference issues, click here.
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