bishop's perspective
The church survives, even General Conference
Dear Mother,
It is late on Mother's Day. I enjoyed talking with you on the phone this evening and especially cherish my visit with you yesterday on my way home from General Conference.
You reminded me of the ongoing struggle of the church. Your 96 years of perspective is highly valued. You remember more than most of us have learned.
I'm astounded when you recall the agony the church endured as it sought reconciliation after splitting over slavery. The pain, the anguish, the suspicion that characterized the Methodist denominations following division over slavery plagued us for decades. It is still remarkable that the advocates for slavery depended on scripture to make their case.
Your perspective on the ordination of women is instructive. You vividly recall the anger and debate on this issue. Scripture was used to make the case against ordination.
Your remembrance of the bitter battle, which raged over divorce, is insightful. You lived through the days when it was a chargeable offense for a pastor to perform a wedding ceremony for a divorced person. Your memory of decades of biblically driven arguments at General Conference after General Conference on this issue is amazing. Throughout history we were so sure we were right about our conclusions, and yet so often we were wrong.
Now, as then, we misunderstand the essential and nonessential. How patient and impatient God must be with us!
But, as you say, the church survived and survives. This year's General Conference was not unlike scores of others before it: debate, confusion, struggle, conflict, misunderstandings, but also, a general desire to work out our “denominational salvation.”
This work is always messy. We never get it right. But we keep trying. We keep searching. We keep trusting even amid doubt. Visiting with you after General Conference was important for me. I needed that time in your holy presence to wash away the creeping anxiety and cynicism about the church, which was working its way into my very soul. I am reminded that God has the greatest stake in all of this. I know again that my hope rests on “Christ the solid rock.” That is where I stand. Rest. Believe. Hope. That is where the church is: on solid ground!
Over the years we have too often abused each other and scripture in our attempt to prove a point. But you are right when you say, “The church does not belong to us.” It belongs to Christ who purchased it with precious blood. To know God has called you and me to be a part of something (the church) so grand by design and so flawed by us is both exhilarating and humbling at the same time.
What I pray for, Mother, is that we will not dwell on what happened or didn't happen at General Conference, but on God's mission to the world and our part in it.
Love, your son
Ray
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