* The rise in influence & power of the
Central Conferences makes the UMC a truly global church... finally.
* The great
mistrust in the UMC involving bishops, clergy, laity, agencies & the various political/theological factions dominates conversations.
* The debates & decisions on sexuality were
not hateful but examples of
tough love; we ought to be able to disagree in love without impugning those who disagree with us.
* The UMC's inability to agree on
definitions of words like holiness, inclusion, justice & love prevents real, meaningful unity.
*
The Holy Spirit was present but often moves in ways which we find confusing or disappointing; we should learn from the ways in which the Spirit moved unexpectedly rather than discounting any divine presence.
3 comments:
So, do you think the Holy Spirit was acting through the Judicial Council, as I heard some saying?
As an observer on the floor, the lack of shared definitions to words that you pointed out was a theme that stuck out to me. It led to many people talking past each other.
John - absolutely. I think the Spirit moved THROUGHOUT the Conference. The Spirit's guidance was prayed for; I have no reason to doubt it.
Jonathan - absolutely. It's a problem we've had for years. My hope is that we are brave enough to name it and seek common ground on those terms. If we can't, we're in trouble.
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