Reconciling Ministries Network

Reconciliation and God's Leaven, 2 of 2

by Peter L. DeGroote

Part 1 | Part 2

We take up where we left off in Part 1: (Keep in mind that we are not working on a set of instructions but describing the station where our journey can begin.)

F. Reconciliation does not mean that we simply accept the views and values of others. Likewise, loving others does not mean we have to support whatever another may say or do. Just as important, we cannot claim that God is the sponsor of all we might say or do. 

1. Our relationship with God is blocked when our ego and pride gets in the way of our relationship with others. It is easy to believe that what we want is what God wants and then assume it is what God wants for others. But when we see others making the same assumptions, we often angrily reject them rather than seeing in their behavior a mirror to gain insight and self-understanding. 
2. Jesus did not reject anyone, but he did speak of cups that were shiny on the outside but filthy on the inside--and he was able to explain why. His explanations were usually based on a rejection of conventional views and values.

G. The leaven of God's love does not destroy or wreak vengeance, but it does challenge us. While we may struggle to understand what it means to love, it is easy to be frustrated and angry with those who wont join us or reject the idea outright. Perhaps our anger is misplaced. Jesus spoke of the rain falling and the sun shining on the just and the unjust alike. (Does this means that God has a profligate hope for human reconciliation?)   

H. Actually, Jesus presents us with a way to work out our frustration and deflate our anger by telling us to love our enemies, pray for them, and join with God in the process of leavening (reconciling). Many reject these lessons, calling them defeatist or unmanly. By trying them, we discover tools of spiritual strength and growth, as well as keys to a type of courage that we cannot find in any other way. (Which takes more courage: "turning the other cheek" or "slugging" it out?)

I To bear Leaven (to be a reconciler) we begin with a willingness for God to be active in our thinking and behavior. Out of that activity of God, we first discover who we are and are then challenged to become who we are meant to be. Our immediate tool is discipleship, which means the way of a student, follower, or adherent. It is a way of living and learning by carrying on like Jesus. It can be unsettling, even dangerous. In Jesus' case it led to death on a cross, but for followers of Jesus a cross can also be a symbol of the suffering that arises out of oppression and persecution. The landscape of the world is strewn with crosses, evidence of God's leaven at work. They are reminders of God's anastasis, the Greek word meaning "a stand against death," (which the church usually translates as resurrection).

J. The leaven of God's love has been folded into the dough of creation. The essence of life, it is always there to empower the struggle for life. When we have allowed the leaven to work in us we are alive, we are reconcilers, we are ready and able to join in God's stand against death.

Rev. Drew Phoenix appears on After Ellen

On the second episode of AfterEllen.com's newest limited series video blog Oh God I'm Gay, Drew Phoenix talks about his experience as a transgender pastor at a United Methodist Church. Drew discusses details on a convention where he'll be dealing with protests and petitions from those who are strongly opposed to transgender people being part of the church. He also discusses the divisions within the LGBT community.

Lawrence King I will remember you

By Kelli Bussy

There is a strong movement which is being supported by our most staunch advocates and allies to lessen the punishment that Brandon McInerney, the killer of Lawrence King may receive.

IN memory of all hate crimes I offer my life experience,

I opened my eyes not knowing where I was, where I lived, or even my name. All I knew was absolute terror and my nearly dead body’s unrelenting scream of agony.

For hate crime survivors the world becomes a place where you hold all your life experiences in comparison to being beat to death.

A rose, a sunrise, a friends hug.

That’s what it is like to "survive" hate crime.

I pray that Lawrence’s experience was not as horrific. I pray as he transitioned to life with our creator, he found love and peace.

Brandon McInerney is among us on this planet, sharing our lives. It is my opinion that Brandon should willingly ask for the maximum penalty to dissuade others from parroting his life.
This action would set into motion for Brandon a process that will allow him to forgive himself and eventually find freedom that no prison bars can contain.

Tomorrow Is Only A Day Away

By Dr. Pamela Lightsey

On July 27th, Jim Adkisson, a 58 year old unemployed mechanic and military veteran entered a Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee and opened fire killing 2 persons and injuring 7 others at a service where a congregation of about 200 persons gathered for a children's performance of the musical, "Annie".  Early reports describe him as a man filled with anger for gays, the liberal movement and most significantly Christians.  The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime.  That would be an understatement.  It seems Jim Adkisson is a man filled with bitter hatred, which he attributes to any number of unfortunate experiences in his life.  Not even his wife (later ex-wife) was safe from his venomous and insane attacks.  Eventually, she divorced him; better the divorce than her life.

Adkisson is unmistakably a very sick man, psychologically and spiritually.  His life has become a sad commentary on the often-human inability to embrace political and theological differences.  His own letter attributing his crime to his hatred of this church because it was liberal and welcomed the LGBT community demonstrates the toll such bitter indifference can take; seething within, elevating and rupturing to the level of deadly insanity. 

Adkisson claimed no affiliation with Christianity yet all Christians would do well to pray that some day he might utter a prayer of repentance, and a love for Christ and the entire fully inclusive body of Christ. Indeed, we should offer this prayer for an even larger circle of persons and institutions.  In the meantime, Christians and believers from all walks of life - especially the LGBT community and reconciling friends like Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church - must remain vigilant in the face of hatred and bigotry.  After all, we really do believe, "The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow."

Our Theological Task

By Laura Young

“Just out of curiosity, how many of us are at least familiar with the quadrilateral?”

This question was asked by the Rev. Dr. John Fellers as he facilitated a workshop entitled, Reclaiming our Wesleyan Roots.  The workshop took place during the 2007 Texas Annual Conference and was offered in preparation for a Board of Church & Society resolution that was to be discussed during a business session the following day.
 
There were fifty-four people in the room, four of whom were workshop leaders so I won’t count them.  The remaining fifty consisted of clergy and lay delegates (mostly lay) who were representing their local congregations at annual conference - in an election year, I might add.   The comments and questions raised during our discussion led John to ask about the quadrilateral.  It was very clear that we were clueless and he just couldn’t stand it any longer.  I could sense (and shared) his concern from my seat on the back row.
 
“Just out of curiosity, how many of us are at least familiar with the quadrilateral?” he asked.
 
Eight hands were raised.  Eight hands.  Eight was disturbing enough, but we quickly determined that five of those belonged to either clergy or Christian educators so we probably shouldn't count them either.  We were down to three.  My neighbor and I leaned toward each other and asked if anyone knew CPR.
 
This random survey wasn’t a revelation.  It only confirmed our fears.  It also launched a larger concern and finally gained the attention of a group a bit larger than those eight people.  I wish I could say we’ve made some progress but I see no evidence of that.  The only hope I have is that, over a year later, some of us are still talking about that workshop and those eight raised hands.
 
I honestly don’t get it.  Why do clergy reject the quadrilateral?  What is there to reject?  This is a mature, responsible, intelligent, loving tool for theological reflection.  It is widely revered and used by many mainline protestant denominations.  It is fully explained in our Book of Discipline under a heading that reads, “OUR THEOLOGICAL TASK”.  For goodness sake, friends.  This doesn’t sound like a “take it or leave it” option.  Surely it’s not one of those “non-essential” things we’re hearing about lately.  This is “Our Theological Task” and seems rather important!  We, the United Methodist Church, are not biblical literalists.  We never have been.  And we’re not “selective literalists” either.  We just know better than that.  We love more than that.

On Monday morning of every annual conference, the parade of soon-to-be-ordained elders makes its way to the front of the sanctuary.  Our bishop asks a series of questions and they answer as a group.  It is the same series of questions they have prepared for and have already answered for the Board of Ordained Ministry.  Before they begin, the bishop turns and reminds elders already in full connection that this is a time for each of them to renew their own ordination vows.  I cringe each time we get to questions eight through eleven.

8. Have you studied the doctrines of The United Methodist Church?
9. After full examination, do you believe that our doctrines are in harmony with the Holy Scriptures?
10. Will you preach and maintain them?
11. Have you studied our form of Church discipline and polity?
12. Do you approve our Church government and polity?
13. Will you support and maintain them?

I don’t understand why a person who is called to ministry, but doesn’t agree with our theological task, would choose to be ordained in the United Methodist Church.  I don’t understand how we have raised at least one, perhaps two or more generations of United Methodists who are barely familiar with the quadrilateral.  I know far too many lifelong, active United Methodists who reached their sixties before ever hearing the term.  I don’t understand how pastors who clearly ignore the quadrilateral (not to mention their seminary education and ordination vows) are allowed to continue.  This, it seems to me, is getting to the root of our struggles as a denomination?  Shouldn’t this finally make its way to a front burner?

The Day of Jubilee will Come!

By Jayson Dobney

I am more certain of that now than ever.

Sitting at home, riveted to my computer watching votes being taken across the country for episcopal leaders last week - and talking to friends in various jurisdictions to see how things were going  - I realized that first and foremost: I am a United Methodist nerd.

There was heartbreak.  No doubt.  Heartbreak at seeing allies defeated, heartbreak from talking to friends who struggled with making decisions about voting, heartbreak at seeing our progressive coalitions sometimes split.  Hearbreak at the ruling of law issued by Bishop Shamana of the Cal Nevada conference.

But, there was also a story of such magnitude that it also provides me a glimpse of the future.  Frank Wulf stood for election as bishop as an openly gay man in the Western Jurisdiction!  What a wonderful day.  What an act of bravery and leadership.  Read the story here:  http://www.umc.org/

OK, so he didn't get elected, and he might face consequences now that he has come out in such a public arena.  But his actions have been truly inspiring - at least to me.  In the face of so much that has happened in the last few months at General Conferences, Annual Conferences, and at Jurisdictional Conferences, this, at least, was a moment that showed us what our church will look like someday.  Thanks Frank Wulf for this gift.  Thank you for showing more leadership than a whole council full of bishops.

I now know, deep in my heart and in my gut, that we will see the day when we elect the first, and then the second, and third, and many more, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons as bishops.  We will leave behind the fights over membership, ordination, and marriage, and instead will have voices at the tables of leadership.  My dreams have been so small.  I had never even contemplated the possibility of a GLBT person elected as Bishop - God has a way of doing that.  Expanding our vision to things we never thought possible.

That Day of Jubilee will Come!

Judicial Council Docket for Fall meeting

The United Methodist News Service reports that a number of issues dealing with inclusiveness will be on the Judicial Council Docket at the Fall meeting in Minneapolis.

...The same-sex marriage item follows a string of actions over the course of the summer. After the state of California approved same-sex ceremonies, a group of retired clergy in the United Methodist California-Nevada Annual (regional) Conference offered to perform such unions in spite of the denomination’s disciplinary prohibition on leading same-sex weddings or similar ceremonies celebrating homosexual relationships.

In June, the California-Nevada Conference approved a resolution commending those retired clergy, but following a request for a decision of law, Bishop Beverly J. Shamana issued a ruling declaring the statement "void and of no effect." All bishops’ decisions of law are automatically reviewed by the Judicial Council.

The United Methodist Church, while affirming all people as persons "of sacred worth," considers the practice of homosexuality "incompatible with Christian teaching." Its Book of Discipline prohibits pastors from conducting such union ceremonies, and those denominational standards were again affirmed by the 2008 General Conference...

The Alaska Missionary Conference is asking whether Paragraphs 214 and 225 in the Book of Discipline are constitutional under Paragraph 4, Article IV, of the church’s Constitution. Paragraph 4 states the inclusiveness of the church includes all persons; Paragraph 214 deals with the eligibility of members, saying that “all people may attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments and become members of any local church in the connection.” Paragraph 225 deals with transferring into The United Methodist Church from another denomination.

In Decision 1032, issued in 2005, the Judicial Council ruled that “Paragraphs 214 and 225 are permissive and do not mandate receipt into membership of all persons regardless of their willingness to affirm membership vows.” The pastor-in-charge of a local church has the power to determine “a person's readiness to receive the vows of membership,” the council said in Decision 1032.

Another item with far-reaching implications comes directly from the floor of the 2008 General Conference and is related to the creation of a “regional conference” for the church in the United States.

During General Conference, delegates passed nearly two dozen amendments to the Constitution of the church that would allow for creation of such a U.S. regional conference. The amendments were proposed to make the denomination’s structure more international and would combine the church’s five U.S. jurisdictions into a regional body, similar to the church’s non-U.S. central conferences. This action would separate business that relates only to the United States away from General Conference.

The item before the Judicial Council deals with a specific petition that would change language in Paragraph 10, Article III, of the church’s Constitution from “central” conferences to “regional” conferences.

Full story:
Judicial Council sets docket for fall meeting

"Bleeding Love"

By David Braden

As I returned home from work, Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love” came on my iPod.

One year ago, I ended a short-lived relationship with a friend of mine. What pains me is that much like the song “Bleeding Love” I feel drained by emotions. Emotions and feelings that felt like love but ultimately were much more about longing to be in a relationship – to feel loved, to be in love, to be held, to have someone’s hand to hold on to, to care for and to nurture. . .

I find it really difficult to date. I have the usual qualifications most people would want in a partner, but it’s always been difficult for me to find a man who is gay AND religious. So many guys I meet are shocked to learn that I attend church. I’ve even experienced contempt for identifying as a Christian – as if I was somehow betraying the gay community by being faithful to my God and Savior.

I wonder sometimes how many queer people must believe that Christian identifying LGBTQ folk are self-deprecating? It’s probably similar to the number that feels the same about Log-Cabin Republicans. Yet both of these cases are rooted in assumptions and stereotypes. They're also rooted in REAL pain due to REAL harm inflicted by the Church and the Government.

Our Christian community, in my opinion, should be one of the few places we should feel comfortable dating. Where else but the Church should we be able to feel free to be our true selves - with no gimmicks, no hiding behind false pretenses, or designer jeans and specially coiffed hair? If God loves us with an unceasing love, then wouldn't Christians - those who are Christ-like - be the perfect dating material?

The challenge is that so many of us, including myself, bring all of our low expectations, our fixed prejudgments, and gross preoccupation with how others think and feel about us to church every Sunday morning. In effect, we drown the wildest of our dreams out of a righteous sense of propriety.

Maybe I'm being harsh. This particular week, this particular month, I am feeling jaded about love and relationships.

I wonder sometimes what it would be like to date someone from my church, the reconciling movement, or students attending a Div school? My church is reconciling. There are single folk. I know these people. My fear remains in the possibility of “the break-up” and what that would mean for attending church or living with mutual friends. I can’t imagine my life without my church family. In the end, it feels like I’m living in fear.

I pray for my own healing and all of the times I’ve tricked myself into believing I was in love when really I just didn’t want to be alone. I pray for all of those who really are alone and who have no one they know of to support them. I pray that I can learn how to better love myself. I wonder what would that look like?

Reconciling Travels in Africa

By Rev. John Makokha

First Day:  Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Rev. Kimindu and I (Rev. John Makokha) left Nairobi on the morning of Tuesday, July 15, for Mombasa, Kenya (a city located on the Indian Ocean coast), for the purpose of making contacts for our LGBTI Other Sheep and PLAG ministries. We traveled by bus and reached our YWCA guest house at 8.30 pm.

After taking our rooms, we had a discussion with two local workers on the topic of the Bible and homosexuality. We gave out some materials and later went for dinner.

After dinner, we made phone calls to some of the ministers we know in the Anglican and United Methodist communities (Rev. Kimindu is an Anglican priest, as well as a newly ordained MCC minister; Rev. Makokha is a UMC minister). They promised to meet us the following day.

Second Day:  Wednesday, July 16, 2008

We tried getting in touch with the Anglican priest of St. Emmanuel Church, Kengeleni (the oldest Anglican church in Kenya) but he technically avoided meeting, even after reaching the gate of his church.

Rev. Kimindu called a long time friend, [name withheld] who was with his family at a local hospital where a family member had been admitted. We visited them in the hospital, prayed for the sick  family member, and had the opportunity to share our story about our mission in Mombasa. Unfortunately, the long time friend of Kimindu expressed his view that gays and lesbians should be taken to a mental hospital.  By this remark he was demonstrating a high fever of homophobia that can be found in Kenya.  But later, his wife said we need to understand gays and lesbians without making any judgement. His wife works in the field of education and has experienced a lot in this area of sexual orientation.  We gave them the materials we had carried.

We also met a Mr. [name withheld],a lay leader in his church, and gay him materials after talking with him. He said he has a brother in-law who is gay and lives in Europe [name of European country withheld]. He said there are so many gay people in Mombasa and yet people pretend they do not know them and that they do not exist due to homophobia.

We met with one of our denominational [Anglican or UMC:  information withheld] clergypersons whose [description here withheld].  During this meeting we discussed our mission and gave him materials on the Bible and homosexuality.  He connected us with a Rev. [name withheld] of the Pentecostal church who was not able to meet with us because of a previous appointment but expressed willingness to meet with us in the future.

We met with an old friend and workmate of Rev. Kimindu when Rev. Kimindu served as a Chaplain in the Kenyan Armed Forces [name withheld].  This same individual had met Steve Parelli and Jose Ortiz when they were here with Other Sheep in Kenya in July and August of 2007.  He promised to help us get pastors in Kisumu where he has connections.  He also spoke of the possibility of having a seminar in Eldoret at some future time.

We met with Mr. [name withheld], a professional in his field of work [work withheld], and a Mrs. [name withheld], a sales person in the line of [withheld], who are both church leaders [office withheld].  We gave them materials and our business cards.

Rev. Kimindu left for Nairobi in order to travel to Lambeth Conference.

Third Day:  Thursday, July 17, 2008

I had a meeting with a Mr. [name withheld], a very close associate of Rev. Kimindu [how, withheld] who is the [position withheld] of a five-star hotel. He invited me to meet at the hotel.  I gave him our materials and business cards.

Fourth Day:  Friday, July 18, 2008

I traveled back to Nairobi.

Reconciliation and God's Leaven, 1 of 2

by Peter L. DeGroote

Part 1 | Part 2

I believe the gift that the reconciling movement brings to the church is a reminder that Jesus's teachings are all about reconciliation. One illustration is found in the Parable of the Leaven:

• God's domain reminds me of yeast which a woman took and concealed in fifty pounds of flour until it was all leavened. Matthew. 13:33; Luke 13:20-21.

A.Jesus left us with an image of a uniquely active God. Mysteriously present in creation is leaven (yeast) which energizes lifeless dough, altering its character, producing texture and taste, making it something it cannot be by itself. 

B. John Wesley called the Rule of Love the foundation of all that Jesus taught. Love is the leaven by which we discover who we are, who we are meant to be, and who we can become.   

C. Jesus was unique in inextricably tying the love of God and the love of others together; you can’t have one without the other. We love God when we join in God’s love for others, when we love others we are nurtured by the leaven of living in harmony with God’s love.

D. Love is not an abstract idea; it is activity that forms relationship. We learn by doing. 

1. We discover the relationship is like a tall triangle. God is at the top angle, we are at one of the base angles, and others are at the third angle. The lines of the triangle symbolize the relationships of love through which we find out as much about God from discovering God’s activity in others as we find from God's activity within us. We slowly learn that our harmony with God is very much related to our harmony with others. 
2. Experience teaches us that love has many shades of meaning. For everyday living it has to begin by honoring and respecting God. To do that, we have to join in God's honor and respect for others. We often begin by saying "God loves me" but in the end, we discover it is not enough. We have to finally say, "God loves all of us," with an emphasis on the "us."   

E. Leaven requires receptive dough—we need to respond to God's activity. Worship, prayer, and spiritual disciplines help define our thoughts, intentions, and feelings. They are also tools that help us listen for and respond to God’s activity. Yet we need to be receptive, allowing the leaven of love to work within and around us. We find our harmony with God by joining with God in loving (honoring and respecting) all that God has created.

AN EXERCISE FOR ONE OR MORE:
A. Draw a tall triangle like the one described in D.1., above, with someone you know at the “others” angle. Think about, or in a group talk about:

1. Do the lines represent love, honor, and respect?
2. How do I (we) go about keeping both of the lines (relationships) that touch us active?
3. What does it mean to me (us) if the line between the other person and God is not there?
4. Does this help us think about being leaven (a reconciler)? How?

B. Do the same as a group, your group in place of yourself and another group (church, community, etc.) in place of “others.” 

C. As we all have multiple relationships, it might be helpful to do the same exercise focusing on different persons or groups.