Rather than write a blog this week, please read/watch my sermon on Mark 6:1-13 "Ordinary Radicals". The text is available for download here.
Community Organizing
Last week I participated in the first meeting of “Congregations for a Better Bergen”. This group of clergy and lay leaders has been formed to work together to address justice issues in our local area. Our needs, as a relatively affluent group of suburban towns, are different than the needs of urban areas. Or are they? The truth is that underlying justice concerns are universal: economic inequality that is impacting our older residents and preventing our children from finding a home-of-their-own in their hometown after college; a heroin epidemic with the number of heroin-related deaths in Bergen County rising 61% since 2011; racism in predominantly white suburbs; suicides and the stigma the families are left behind to endure; and gun violence.
It can seem daunting for one person to engage their congregation to better understand the issues and create paths to justice. But together, many congregations across our region can have a big impact and even facilitate miracles.
Where to start? We will begin by learning the fundamentals of community organizing. We will start with a training session in September on how to conduct a Listening Campaign – to reach out to our local communities and hear what social justice issues are impacting individuals. With the resulting information, we will frame the problems into specific issues, and create a plan to address these issues directly in our communities. We will work with Metro-IAF.org, the nation’s first and largest network of multi-faith community organizations, with seven decades of experience winning tough battles across the USA and Europe. I invite you to learn more about Metro-IAF at www.metro-iaf.org and to contact me either in response to this blog or directly if you’d like to join me in Congregations for a Better Bergen.
Together, we can work to bring justice to our neighbors who are suffering - so that Bergen County may be a beacon of light to the world.
I continue to ask that you pray for me in the role of Public Theology Advocate as I take a stand for justice. Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.
Lisa
Pray for Charleston, Pray for Peace
Join us as we hold the Charleston, South Carolina community in the light as they make sense of a senseless act of violence committed at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church last night.
The United Methodist Church has put together resources on responding to violence. Please share with those who may find them helpful: http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/responding-to-violence
We must pray for Peace and for Justice for all people in the forms of Safety, Equality, Freedom. Please pray radically - for the families and for the haters - we must ask God to bring light to the darkness in all of us - to save us all.
My heart is too heavy to write more today. Next week, I'll update you on "Congregations for a Better Bergen" - the faith-based community organization we are joining. Together, we can work to bring Justice to our neighbors who are suffering - so that Bergen County may be a beacon of light to the world.
In the meantime, please pray for Peace.
Lisa
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
I promised to write about my personal experience in witnessing the Greater NJ Annual Conference 2015 vote on legislations for inclusive language and support of all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans (LGBT) people. You can read about GNJAC2015 and the legislation in my prior blog posts and at our conference website GNJUMC.org
The short summary of my experience: I learned some things about myself and I learned some things about my people – my church and my family. I am now aware of how accustomed I am with the people I love being uncomfortable with the concept of homosexuality. I see now how easy it is for me to help others to remain calm in the storm of controversy. I understand now why the protective shell of “it’s all good” that I’d built around myself collapsed when the legislation voting results were read by Bishop John Schol at GNJAC2015. I felt a rush of unexpected emotion. Even if only by a slight majority, and even if only in our conference, and even if only for this moment – I was no longer someone lesser than ...!
In talking to people in my congregation after the conference, they made it clear that they want this topic to be over. “The vote is in, legislation passed, why are you still discussing this, Lisa?” ”We are an open community – we accept everyone, and we’ve had gay people here before. We don’t need to do anything more.”
Why do I want to discuss this topic? Because even though I am blessed and grateful that our Greater NJ Conference voted in support of change – real change has not happened. Real change will happen when the UMC Discipline no longer defines LGBT people as second-class Christians.
I was asked to explain why this change to our Discipline is so important? “No one is turned away from our services or membership.” Yes, but the language says that LGBT people cannot be fully themselves in our church. “Would a gay couple even bother to bring their child to Sunday School?” Of course they would - my son attended Sunday School! And I asked in return, “do you think there are no gay Christians?”
Here is why I feel it is important that we continue to work for real change in the UMC Discipline, and I’ll use the UMC.org page on church policy for homosexuality to make my point:
Persons of sacred worth. “The United Methodist Church affirms 'that sexuality is God’s good gift to all persons. We call everyone to responsible stewardship of this sacred gift.' The statement continues: 'Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relations are affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.' The church states elsewhere that marriage should only be between a woman and a man."
o The Discipline is stating that sex is a gift from God only affirmed by a heterosexual marriage. Not for homosexuals, whether they are in a monogamous relationship or not. LGBT persons must remain celibate.
Homosexuality. “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching,”
o We accept LGBT persons in our membership, but loving a person of the same sex is incompatible with the UMC interpretation of Christian teaching. This is very hard for me to understand because the UMC is a church built on John Wesley’s methods of reading the Bible and discerning in our hearts what God is telling us through Scripture, with the help of the Holy Spirit and with God’s freely given Grace. It is at UMC that I learned of God’s love, God’s forgiveness, and that we are to leave all judgment to God. "For Wesley there is no religion but social religion, no holiness but social holiness."
o No one is asking for our church to condone indiscriminate or promiscuous sex. We, as a church, do not condemn the heterosexual person who boasts of having many sexual encounters. We work with that person and strive to teach them about God’s love and forgiveness, to help them to learn to respect their bodies and their lives - to make better choices guided by God's Grace.
o But our Discipline prevents our clergy and church leaders from providing a sane, wholesome sexual expression for LGBT individuals. For homosexual persons celibacy is the only alternative. Monogamous, committed, loving relationships are off the table.
Ordination & Marriage. "Elsewhere in its Book of Discipline, The United Methodist Church bans the ordination of 'self-avowed practicing homosexuals,' and it forbids the performance of same-gender unions in the denomination’s sanctuaries and by its clergy in any setting."
o We have divorced and remarried couples in the UMC. We have divorced clergy. And our clergy are allowed to officiate the re-marriages of divorced heterosexual couples - sometimes even 3rd or 4th marriages. These couples are able to receive pastoral counseling and congregational support during times of marriage crisis and re-marriage. Same-sex couples do not have this support. How many same-sex marriages would benefit from such support? How can we, as Christians, condemn a loving relationship to isolation, and offer no support?
o Often people speak of sin when talking about LGBT persons. If divorced heterosexual persons who remarry are considered adulterers by Biblical standards (Luke 16:18), and the UMC recognizes them as forgiven through God’s Grace, then why would we support one sinning group over another?
*** Note *** IVP Bible Background Commentary on the Luke passage: "Here Jesus articulates a stronger view of the marriage bond than anyone else we know of in antiquity, and his statement thus intensifies the law of Moses. Like most other statements of general principle in the ancient world this one does not exclude exceptions (Matt. 5:32, 19:9, 1 Cor. 7:15); Jesus' purpose is to protect an innocent party from being divorced, not to punish the party who has been so betrayed. His statement addresses especially the wife because in Jewish Palestine only the husband had full rights to divorce." The point of the passage is to protect the person who has less rights and less power. My point is the same - all persons with less rights and less power should be protected.
Administrative Order. "In a section of the Book of Discipline on 'Administrative Order,' dealing with responsibilities of the General Council on Finance and Administration, the church states the council 'shall be responsible for ensuring that no board, agency, committee, commission, or council shall give United Methodist funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality or violate the expressed commitment of The United Methodist Church ‘not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends.’ The council shall have the right to stop such expenditures. '"
o This is the most disturbing passage of all to me. Think a moment on this one. Suicides of LGBT persons is a serious and real issue. Imagine the lives that could be saved with a UMC supported suicide prevention program that helps LGBT teens feel the loving acceptance and assurances of God’s love, and belief in that they are not broken or rejected - but truly whole with God's gifts, including their sexuality.
o Tyler Clementi, a Bergen County gay teen, committed suicide in 2010. His mother, Jane Clementi, in a NY Times article, said that it was because of their church’s teachings that she resisted her son’s coming out as a gay teen. She could not support her son, and she could not “come out” herself and tell her church family and friends that Tyler was gay.
o This is the real harm that a few sentences in our church’s rather large book of Discipline can cause. This is not just an evangelical church issue – this is a UMC issue! People, in our congregation, are afraid to talk openly about their LGBT children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, friends, or themselves. Secrets have the power to kill!
To read the UMC official position on homosexuality, click on this link: http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-the-denominations-position-on-homosexuality
Fear is real. I witnessed fear at GNJAC2015. Clergy can lose their jobs and their benefits if they officiate a same-sex marriage ceremony. It is not even safe for some clergy to be vocal in their support of LGBT persons, because it may alienate them from their congregations and possibly limit their own careers. If the Discipline were changed, these good clergy persons could more freely counsel their congregations on the love of God for all God's children. They could more freely respond to their own LGBT children. To learn more about this real fear, I urge you to learn more about Rev. Frank Schaefer, who was put on trial, defrocked, and reinstated for performing his gay son’s wedding http://franklynschaefer.com/media/ The UMC.org has this page http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/special-coverage-frank-schaefer
The Bible. There are many biblical arguments for and against full equality for LGBT Christians, just as there have been many biblical arguments for and against the abolition of slavery and the merging with the African American churches. Go all the way back to Jerusalem and Paul's contemporaries used the Bible to argue their position to keep the Christian Gentiles out of the church. In my mind, Jesus weeps at our narrow interpretations of his teaching. In my soul and in my heart, I know that Jesus loved the sinners, embraced them and encouraged them to live good lives. He taught us to Love God, Love Each Other, and Let God be the Judge. We are not to judge one another. Click here to read “Debating Bible Verses on Homosexuality” in the June 8 2015 edition of the NY Times as just one of many Biblical debates.
In my heart, I weep at my friends and family’s narrow understanding of what it means to be truly accepted. I am a woman, married to a man that I love with all my heart. I'll be honest - I love the freedom of being in a socially accepted marriage. To be able to hold hands in church and to talk freely about life at home with such a loving man. But, I will not deny the 18 years I spent during the 1980-1990's in a committed relationship with a woman. Some would say I’m the “B” in LGBT. But I say that I simply fell deeply in love with the person that God placed into my path. She and I had a monogamous relationship. She and I raised my son and he grew into a loving, heterosexual Christian man who is now married to a loving woman. She and I grew apart after many years of personal struggles, separations, and re-commitments, and finally we moved on. Our story is not unique - it is human.
You may say – "ahhhaahhh! Some commitment you had if you are now happily married to a man!" Yes, I “divorced” her, and I paid her alimony too. She helped me raise my son, and I helped her start her new life without me. I remained single, and celibate, with no intention to remarry until I unexpectedly met my husband. It is through my husband, that I began attending Hillsdale UMC, and through my church that I began Bible studies. I have read the Bible cover-to-cover. I am a Disciple and a Public Theology Advocate, a member of our Church Council and many ministries. I truly believe the Holy Spirit has guided me on my faith journey. And I truly believe that God is Love, and has been present in my love journey as well.
Still, until very recently, I lived with a fear that my church – my people – would no longer like or respect me if I spoke about my experience as a bi-sexual woman. That fear is real and not completely gone. The words of the Discipline promote that fear. My church – my people – who are do not want to discuss this very personal, very controversial topic – promote that fear with their discomfort.
But I am a strong woman. Strong enough to love and raise my son in with a same-sex partner during an era when he could have legally been taken away from me. Strong enough to risk loving and building a new life with a man. Strong enough to become a Disciple and Public Theology Advocate. But what about those who are not strong enough? What kind of church are we if we cannot help a person be fully who God made them to be?
What do the words “incompatible with Christian teaching” mean? Couple that with the words “bans the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals” and "forbids the performance of same-gender unions in the denomination’s sanctuaries and by its clergy in any setting" and “cannot use funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality” – what is a young, gay Christian person to think? How awful could a person be for there to be such rejection by our beloved church?
This may be the last blog post I will write on this topic. There is a fine line between advocacy and overkill. If you wish to speak to me about this subject, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment on this blog.
Next week I will be attending a meeting of “Congregations for a Better Bergen”, a faith-based organization working for justice. Those who pursue justice shall find life (Proverbs 21:21)
I continue to ask that you pray for me in the role of Public Theology Advocate as I take a stand for Justice. Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.
Update June 26 2015: today the Supreme Court of the USA made a landmark ruling that Same-Sex Marriage is now Legal Nationwide.
"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were," Kennedy wrote. "As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death."
Kennedy went on to speak directly to the type of criticism that often comes from conservatives in pushing back against marriage equality.
"It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves," Kennedy said. "Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."
In addition, the United Methodist Church of Greater NJ has created an FAQ page regarding the legislation passed at GNJAC2015 - you can read it at http://www.gnjumc.org/pages/detail/1052
In Christ's Peace, Lisa
Cast Your Nets on the Other Side
I attended the Greater NJ Annual Conference May 28-30 in Wildwood NJ, as a non-voting member. In my role of Public Theology Advocate, I supported the Reconciling Ministry Network by advocating for inclusive language and support of all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans people. I also supported our Palisades District Lay Servant Ministries by encouraging others to become Lay Servants.
The theme of the conference was "fish the other side of the boat". In John 21 we read that after the horrors of the crucifixion, even though they had been with the resurrected Jesus several times, Peter and some of the apostles went back to business as usual. They went back home to their fishing boats. They had been taught how to fish by their fathers and grandfathers – and their fishing technique was a skill defined by generations of tradition and accumulated practical knowledge. They knew what time to fish, what side of the boat to set their nets, how the currents ran, etc. But, in spite of all this knowledge of the “correct way” to fish, their nets remained empty. The resurrected Jesus called out to them from the shore. He told them to throw their next on the other side of the boat. This went against everything the apostles knew about fishing, but with faith, they followed Jesus’ command. And their nets were overflowing with fish. John 21 NIV
We in the church behave much the same as Peter and the apostles. Even when we learn of, and are inspired by, new approaches to living a faith-based life and growing our church, we often return to business as usual and we return to our traditional techniques for bringing people the Word of God, and teaching them about Jesus Christ, and developing them into Disciples. These techniques and approaches worked well in the past, and they worked well for our parents and grandparents. But, as we all know, they are not working well enough now. The Bishop and the the GNJAC church leaders are asking us to be bold in our faith, and listen to Jesus’ command to throw our nets on the other side – and try new approaches. Here is a video of the Opening Worship Ceremony with the exceptional sermon (starting at minute 38) https://vimeo.com/129575356
I promised to to write about my experiences at the conference, and I will - for this week, let it suffice for me to write that it was an amazing and emotional experience. I will write more about my personal observations and experience of the conference next week. There is much to write, and I don’t want you to lose sight of the importance of this conference’s theme by the volume of my words. So please bear with me, read John 21, and meditate on the theme.
The voting members of conference worked hard to discern what this theme meant to them, their local churches, our conference, and the UMC. The legislation voting results indicate the wide spectrum of diverse opinion as to what this means. There were many pieces of legislation that passed, including legislation in support of ending racism. I will write more about those another week.
The legislation that was the most controversial is as follows:
The first four pieces of legislation petition General Conference 2016 to change the prohibitive homosexual language from the Book of Discipline:
1. Strike from the Book of Discipline "we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider the practice incompatible from Christian teaching; 410 - yes; 339 - no
2. Strike from the Book of Discipline "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our church; 396 - yes; 353 - no
3. Strike from the Book of Discipline "that homosexuality and performing homosexual unions or weddings is a chargeable offense"; 414 - yes; 336 - no
4. Strike from the Book of Discipline "that United Methodist funds cannot support the acceptance of homosexuality or supporting homosexual ministries.” 405 - yes; 344 - no
The last two pieces of legislation call for GNJ support and action for full inclusion of LGBT people and marriage equality:
5. The Greater New Jersey Conference work for the full inclusion of all people including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and that we oppose the continued restrictions of church law that restricts the full inclusion of LGBT people; 389 - yes; 352 - no
6. The Greater New Jersey Conference makes a public statement supporting and upholding marriage equality in civil law and that we spiritually, emotionally, and prayerfully support clergy who are brought up on charges for performing homosexual unions or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies. 381 - yes; 358 - no
I've posted a video of the Bishop reading the results and his prayer - https://youtu.be/nJnbqORs8qI
And a video of the Bishop commitments to the GNJAC - https://youtu.be/iuaNAeNMMNU
I apologize for the shaky video quality - it was an overwhelming moment for me.
I continue to ask that you pray for me in the role of Public Theology Advocate as I take a stand for Justice. Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.
In Christ's Peace, Lisa
click here to download a PDF copy of this blog post
Annual Conference
I will be at the Greater NJ Annual Conference May 28-30 in Wildwood NJ, supporting the Reconciling Ministry Network by advocating for inclusive language and support of all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans people. I will also be supporting our Palisades District Lay Servant Ministries by encouraging others to become Lay Servants.
Bishop Schol wrote in his letter to the Members of the GNJAC: "The church is blessed by God with disciples who disagree. God created us and gifted us with different cultures, races, and experiences. From these differences we naturally have ideas that grow out of our individual experiences. Paul and Peter differed in belief and practice of ministry because their calling and experiences were different. Paul focused on the Gentiles and Peter on the Jews which led to different understandings of diets, worship and rites like circumcision. Within the United Methodist Church we have many different understandings about worship, theology, rites of the church and human sexuality. In my experience, it is about how we engage each other in our differences that demonstrates our discipleship maturity. I invite all of us to grow in our engagement with one another about the most challenging concerns within the life of the church."
Please keep our conference and the greater UMC in your prayers as we seek to become fully realized disciples of Christ in accordance with God's plan for us.
You can learn more about the 2015 Annual Conference and watch live streaming of key sessions at http://www.gnjumc.org/
I continue to ask that you pray for me in the role of Public Theology Advocate as I take a stand for Justice. Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.
In Christ's Peace, Lisa
Respect and Inclusiveness
This week, the local news had several reports about a group of five students who were suspended from Pascack Valley High School for forming a white supremacist club unleashing “a stream of hateful, racial, ethnic, and homophobic slurs” that included drawing swastikas in school, as well as posting white supremacy ideology on social media. “WP” stood for “White Power” as the group’s motto carved into various places around the school, and the three fingered "W" salute was used at sports events. PVHS is mostly white. In fact, the school of 1240 students is 86% white, with asians and latinos making up most of the rest of the student body, and less than 1% of the students identify as black. That is less than 12 students according to the state enrollment records.
Some of the news reports suggested that the WP slogans were not there to disrespect PVHS students of color, but were aimed towards other high schools - sports rivals with larger black populations. Or perhaps it was just a reaction to the recent black/white protests and riots emphasized in the news. Or perhaps it is simply a few teenagers feeling power in a relatively safe place, i.e., where they are already part of the majority.
Does it really matter why the “club” was formed?
What matters more is the response of the other 99.95% of the students. (Five students out of 1240 is less than a ½ of 1%.) While the news reports focused on this tiny group of students’ behavior – the majority of PVHS students began a campaign “Bringing Respect Back to the Valley”. The school officials have also promoted acceptance and tolerance throughout the school year by bringing in a speaker from Rwanda who talked about genocide, and offering courses in LGBT and gender bias issues led by students.
The mural the students have placed at the entrance of the school emphasizes the words “motivate” “appreciation” “forgiveness” and “kindness” and students signed their names to promote peace and understanding.
When I first explored local topics to address as our Public Theology Advocate, I asked many people if the Pascack Valley was accepting of diversity – and I was emphatically told by nearly everyone I interviewed that there was no issue with diversity acceptance here – especially in our high school. A few people were very emphatic about it - almost insulted that I would suggest otherwise. Being human, my first reaction to this week's news of the five students was “I told you so”. But, I quickly realized that the student body at large was accepting of diversity. And it made me humble and proud to live here.
Humble, because of my human reaction (to better understand, please read my May 7th blog post "Love Your Neighbor, We Are All Human"). Proud because the majority of students were not complacent about the hate promoted by a few individuals. The majority of students stood up and gave voice to respect and love. If we could all do the same, there would be no need for a Public Theology Advocate team.
Matthew 19:14 (NIV): Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
I continue to ask that you pray for me in the role of Public Theology Advocate as I take a stand for Justice. Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.
In Christ's Peace, Lisa
click here to download a PDF copy of this blog post
Here are some links to articles about this incident at Pascack Valley High School
Reconciling
The Greater NJ Annual Conference will be taking place at the end of this month, and congregations across the conference are preparing along with their appointed lay members and clergy to vote on several important articles of legislation. During conference there will be holy conferencing to hear supportive and opposing views of the legislation and then there will be a vote to adopt or reject. In some cases, there will be modifications to the legislation before a final vote.
Many individuals will be at conference who are not authorized to vote but are there to experience and support our church. I will be attending the conference as a District Lay Servant team member, and as a Public Theology Advocate. I will not be able to vote, but I will be able to lend support and prayer to our conference as we vote on two very important pieces of justice legislation.
Call for GNJ to Commit to Inclusive Church and Marriage Equality
General Conference Resolutions Re Discipline Language
You can read all the 2015 Legislation at 2015 Legislation
In future weeks, I will write more about why I’ve chosen to support this legislation. I have also joined the Reconciling Ministries Network to support the efforts to successfully bring legislation like this to the UMC 2016 Conference. You can learn more about the Reconciling Ministries at www.rmnetwork.org
This week, I leave you with this Open Letter from Gilbert H. Caldwell - A Retired Clergy Member of the Rocky Mountain (Denver) Conference, Asbury Park, New Jersey:
An "Open Letter" to the Reconciling Committee of the UMC of Red Bank, New Jersey, and to United Methodists everywhere
To: The Reconciling Committee of The United Methodist Church of Red Bank, New Jersey, Grace and I continue to enjoy and appreciate our membership in the Church and the important presence of the Committee in the Church. It was the reconciling spirit and presence in the UMC of Red Bank, among other things that caused us to become members of the Church. I write this "Open Letter" to you, the Church and to all of the United Methodists of New Jersey, & beyond.
Bishop John Schol in his letter to "Sister and Brother Members of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference" writes this; "In my experience, it is about how we engage each other in our differences that demonstrates our discipleship maturity." It is in that spirit that I ask this question and share some thoughts.
Is God asking us now, to decide whether or not it is Bible or bias that will determine how we respond to the words in our Book of Discipline; "...the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching"?
It is early in the morning as I begin this "Letter" and the 1984 Book of Discipline is on my desk. Rather than search for the current Discipline, I opened the 1984 version of the Discipline and read these words about Scripture; "United Methodists share with all other Christians the conviction that Scripture is the primary source and guideline for doctrine...From...careful handling of Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers apply its truth to the circumstances of their own time and place."
One of the benefits of old age, I am 81, I am able, in light of my own history and the history before I was born, to be aware of the truth of James Russell Lowell's words; "New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth." "Time and place", in my own history, and in my reading of history, reveals that at various times the Bible was "used" to justify bias. And, although the content of Bible/Scripture has not changed, our bias-based interpretations and uses of it have.
My grandfather was born on a slave plantation in 1863 in North Carolina. The name Caldwell, the name of the owners of the plantation became his last name. Although John Wesley and Francis Asbury were against slavery, there were Methodists who believed it was sanctioned by Scripture. Asbury in his 1776 Journal asked, "How will the sons of oppression (slavery) answer for their conduct when the great proprietor of all shall call them to account? (From the April 29, 1918 Syracuse University Master's Thesis of my preacher-father, Rev. G. Haven Caldwell).
Today, most Christians would say that it was bias and not Bible that caused some Methodists to discuss, debate and divide because they believed the owning of slaves and slavery in 1844, was Biblically sanctioned.
In 1939 when three branches of Methodism had a "Unification Conference" in Kansas City, (My father was at that Conference), the racially segregated all-black Central Jurisdiction was formed. Many Methodists believed at that time that Bible-based slavery could no longer be sanctioned, but Bible-based racial segregation could. It is now unthinkable for most United Methodists to believe that slavery, racial segregation, prohibitions against interracial marriage, and denying blacks the right to attend "white only Churches" (I have experienced that denial), are justified by the Bible.
And, I remember that before 1956, there were Methodists who believed that Scripture sanctioned prohibitions again the ordination of women. Also, there was a time when some Methodists believed that clergy who were divorced, according to Scripture, ought be denied opportunities for ministry.
Does anyone reading this remember the 1966 song written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, "Alfie" that was sung by Dionne Warwick, "What's it all about, Alfie?". You may ask, "Gil Caldwell, what is this 'Open Letter' all about?"
My response; It is my way of prayerfully expressing the hope that in the name of "...discipleship maturity", (Bishop Schol), United Methodists in New Jersey and throughout United Methodism, in response, not to bits of Scripture, but to the totality of the Biblical Message, as well as to the "new occasions" of the 21st century, will reverse our current UMC anti-gay language and legislation. May delegates to the Greater New Jersey Conference and every Conference in the United Methodist Church, boldly express that it is the practice of classism, racism, sexism, materialism and militarism that are "incompatible with Christian teaching" and not, "the practice of homosexuality".
I realize that "change" for many Christians suggests a disobeying of God, and a denial of Scripture, I believe that "an unwillingness and inability to change", represents disobedience of God and a denial of Scripture.
It is in and through the changes in Methodism that I have listed above, and the changes in my own life, that have deepened my faith and enabled and empowered me to know, "God is not finished with me yet".
And God is not finished with the United Methodist Church yet! May, "What happens in the Annual Conferences of the UMC not just stay there", but be so bold, brave and bodacious that the nation and the world take note.
It is time for the UMC to "make news", not by its Church Trials, by its actions that express the "Inclusive love of Jesus!"
Hallelujah - Alleluia - Amen!
Gilbert H. Caldwell - A Retired Clergy Member of the Rocky Mountain (Denver) Conference, Asbury Park, New Jersey
(This is written in large font, because of my vision issues. Please, consider making the above, all, or excerpts, "go viral" : - ), in the ways you share this on social media. "The hour cometh, and now is !")
click here to read more about Rev. Gil Caldwell
This is a justice concern that crosses age, race, gender, and sexual preference boundaries. It has biblical merit and Methodist historical precedence. God is not finished with us yet!
I continue to ask that you pray for me in the role of Public Theology Advocate as I take a stand for Justice. Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.
In Christ's Peace, Lisa
Love Your Neighbor, We Are All Human
The Love Your Neighbor Coalition recently announced the launch of a new website which contains a joint statement, “A Vision for The United Methodist Church” designed to guide our denomination as we begin to prepare for General Conference in 2016. Please read and consider signing on! http://www.lyncoalition.org/vision-for-umc/
LYNC's vision re-emphasizes traditional Wesleyan and Methodist values of standing up for, and improving the conditions of, the "least" in our world. Jesus stood up for the oppressed and stood beside the sinners with love and guidance on how to live. He intentionally sought out the marginalized, to bring them the Good News of God’s redeeming love and grace.
Theses past few months, I’ve been doing a lot of praying and soul searching regarding the nature of justice, and the nature of sin. I've watched my friends taking opposing sides on the issues of racism, rights, economic justice, and war.
This week, during a moment of deep prayer, I was struck with this thought ... when Jesus healed the sick or protected the adulteress from being stoned, he is quoted in the Bible telling them to “go and sin no more” John 8:1-11. But, what does that mean? Was Jesus telling these people to live perfectly – to be super-human – or else ...? Is sin simply strict adherence to the Bible's Law? Even Jesus defied the Law by healing the sick on the Sabbath!
We in the United Methodist Church believe in the grace given freely to us by God. Are we not all human? Don’t we all mess up and sin sometimes? Can any of us say that once we took Jesus into our hearts, and claimed Him as our Lord and Savior, that we have never sinned again?
Here’s a challenging thought - the Bible is not clear if the people Jesus healed and saved remained sinless after being freed from suffering by Jesus. The Bible only has FOUR characters that are explicitly sinless – God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Mary the mother of God. All the other characters in the Bible are human and sinned – many even after being sanctified directly by God (David, I’m talking about you!)
It is freeing to remember that the Bible is a book full of stories of humans living, struggling, and triumphing in the presence of God. God created us as humans, and we are not condemned because we are human. God loves us, continually. God wants us to live purposeful lives. God wants us to Love our Neighbors without Judgement.
Let me put it in a current context: I married young and divorced young. In the biblical sense, I’m an adulteress – even more explicitly so because I’ve since remarried. But it’s my current mother-in-law who brought me to the UMC. And it’s my current husband who taught me about love and forgiveness and supports me in all my work I do within our church. Would the God of Love have preferred that I remain celibate and never be as happy as I am in these relationships? Would the God of Love have wished my husband to have never met me? And what about the love my husband brings to my son, my family, and I bring to his family and friends? God has blessed us, this I know!
So I take you back to the adulteress that Jesus saved from being stoned. We don't know anything more about her life. What if, when Jesus said, “Go and sin no more”, he was encouraging her to live a holier life. And what if, she met someone who loved her and taught her and supported her in a holier life. Do you think Jesus really meant for her to refuse a chance at happiness in her holiness and in her humanness?
Jesus loved all of us sinners. And thinking these thoughts through, I am compelled to love Jesus even more as I realize his love for us.
I think it’s time we embrace our beliefs in grace freely given and in Jesus’ teachings, as well as our humanity. It is time to stop taking sides, and to work together as God's children. God created us – flaws and all. And God loves us – flaws and all. We are simply asked by Jesus to Love our Neighbors– John 13:34-35. We are warned Not to Judge - Matthew 7. And we are all challenged to believe that God’s loving Grace, freely given to us, is also given to all God’s children. http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/our-wesleyan-heritage
I continue to ask that you pray for me in the role of Public Theology Advocate, as I struggle to live as sinlessly as possible, as a faith based individual, blessed with God’s grace; and as I take a stand for Justice. Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.
In Christ's Peace, Lisa
People of Faith, Take a Stand
This week we again find ourselves taking sides. Some of us are pledging support for all police officers. Others are pledging support for black American suspects. Some are standing for states’ rights to decide the nature of marriage. And some of us are pleading for equal rights for all in marriage.
Whatever your opinions may be, many people of faith are taking a stand. In Baltimore, more than a 100 clergy joined the protestors this past weekend. “There’s been a state of emergency way before tonight,” the clergy said. “An emergency of poverty, a lack of jobs, disenfranchisement from the political process.” http://sojo.net/blogs/2015/04/28/watch-what-you-didnt-see-clergy-march-baltimore
Being our church’s Public Theology Advocate is a difficult role. Difficult, because Justice work is subjective – and each of us has a flawed image of what is Just, and what is Unjust. I’ve been asked to choose a Justice cause and to develop a project that our church can rally behind – and, in doing so, give us a taste of what true Discipleship can be. I ask that you pray for me in this role, as I struggle to take a stand, as a faith based individual, for Justice.
Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.
In Christ's Peace, Lisa
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And in Washington DC, clergy and faith leaders stood outside the Supreme Court as the Justices wrestled with states rights in denying marriage equality in same-sex marriages. Yes, even UMC clergy were present. https://www.facebook.com/RMNetwork
This should not surprise you. Jesus stood up for the oppressed and stood beside the sinners. He intentionally sought out the marginalized, to bring them the Good News of God’s redeeming love and grace. Whatever your views are about any of the issues in this week’s headlines, remember that we are simply asked to love – John 13:34-35. We are warned not to judge - Matthew 7. And we are challenged to believe that God’s loving grace given to us, is also given to all God’s children.
Being our church’s Public Theology Advocate is a difficult role. Difficult, because Justice work is subjective – and each of us has a flawed image of what is Just, and what is Unjust. I’ve been asked to choose a Justice cause and to develop a project that our church can rally behind – and, in doing so, give us a taste of what true Discipleship can be. I ask that you pray for me in this role, as I struggle to take a stand, as a faith based individual, for Justice.
Respond to this blog, or contact me directly, with your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about social justice in the Pascack Valley region.
In Christ's Peace, Lisa