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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
May 2002 |
Your view on the 'War on Terrorism'? |
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As our country responds to the terrorists attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a broad range of views is being expressed by Christians as they try to reconcile the notion of a "just war" with Jesus' teachings on non violence. Share your thoughts on this important issue. Viewpoints" is an open forum for Indiana UM lay and clergy members to speak out on any matters relating to the life of the Church. Letters must be signed and should include the name of your local church, along with a daytime phone number. All letters may be edited for clarity or length. Deadline for the July/August issue is June 20. Send to Editor, Hoosier UM News, 1100 W. 42nd St., Suite 210, Indianapolis, Ind. 46208; fax -- 317/924-4859; e-mail -- Editor. |
Racial Healing Committee on Black Church history
United Methodists, by and large, would benefit a great deal from a comprehensive, balanced study of our own racial history. Two recent HUM News articles -- one in the February issue titled, "M L. Brooks: Soldier of the Central Jurisdiction," and a related piece in March titled, "Clarification regarding Black Church History" -- underscore this need.
In the February article, one reads: "As slavery became accepted, especially in the South, discrimination against Black Methodists became common. Many black people wanted their own denomination, a church more responsive to their needs." Quite naturally, a number of HUM readers challenged this statement.
The sad story of the ejection of Richard Allen, Absalom Jones and their fellow black Methodist worshippers from St. George's Methodist Episcopal Chapel in 1786 -- the event which led to the founding of the AME Church -- is well-known among Methodists black and white, and well-documented.
The AME Zion Church was born of similar circumstances. In 1796, James Varick and 30 other African-Americans withdrew from John Street ME Church in New York City, after having endured mistreatment at the hands of whites who routinely reminded the blacks that they were inferior and barred them from sharing power and authority in the church. African-Americans could not be ordained as elders. White leadership's position on slavery had softened from John Wesley's courageous condemnation of the practice; slaveholding whites were now being welcomed into membership. In 1820, Varick and his followers formally broke organizational ties with the ME Church and formed their own body, the AME Zion Church.
The CME Church, mentioned in the March article, did seek a legal and constitutional separation from the ME Church, South in 1870, when it was made clear to black members that even though their political status had changed from slave to citizen, the church would continue to regard them as inferior and subordinate to white leadership. The wholesale hemorrhage of black members from the ME Church, South (from 207,000 in 1860 to fewer than 78, 000 in 1865), prompted their leaders to work with black leadership to peacefully form a separate body.
To claim that these bodies formed entirely of their own volition reveals an insensitivity toward what early black followers of the teachings of Wesley endured at the hands of their white counterparts. Clearly, we United Methodists could benefit from a better grasp of our own history.
"Steps Toward Wholeness:. Learning and Repentance," a study guide prepared by the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns was made available to every church at the 2001 South Indiana Annual Conference. It is an excellent resource for helping us become better informed. Be sure to ask your pastor and Annual Conference delegate what is being done with the copy your church received.
The 2002 South Indiana Conference Committee on Racial Healing
Mary Miller, Chair
Norman Campbell, Secretary
Robert Sharp
Tom True
Dora Largent
James Lewis
Susanne Hollen
Rita Ritter
David Penalva
Sharon White
Michael Anderson
David Crane
Perry Richards
Paemin Parks
Jayne Thome
Ideas on capitalizing on college/church connection
Last updated on 01/14/2004I applaud the recent dialogue regarding ministry to our United Methodist universities (DePauw, University of Evansville, University of Indianapolis), and the questions we are asking about our religious heritage. It is interesting to note that Dr. Robert Benne, in his Showers lecture series at the University of Indianapolis March 5, addressed many of these concerns. I believe that both the Church and the University are now asking some penetrating questions around these issues.
Having served two "campus" churches -- Methodist Temple in Evansville, and now the University Heights Church in Indianapolis for the past five years -- I've learned much about the joys and difficulties of ministry to college students and would like to offer a few insights which might prove helpful in this dialogue (and challenge some misconceptions).
At University Heights, our ministry to college students is far from dead or apathetic. Each year more than 400 students attend worship at our church at least one Sunday (about 40 percent of the on-campus population). Our congregation provides care packages to incoming freshmen, as well as Christmas packages and going-home gifts to these students (and those from our congregation attending other colleges).
Our church facility has also been home to a university cooking class, sorority meetings, study halls, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is the site for annual "graduation" ceremonies for parish nurses, alumni weekends, and student days. We have Friday night coffeehouses featuring local bands, and each fall we welcome back students with a dinner, and have a summer worship service on the campus lawn. I counsel many students each week and work closely with Dr. Lang Brownlee, the campus chaplain, to meet bigger needs when they arise.
As the pastor, I have experienced nothing but goodwill and cooperation from the university faculty and staff (Dr. Jerry Israel leading the way). Our 9 a.m. worship service has been broadcast live by the university radio station for decades, and our congregation is always eager to reciprocate when and where we are able to help with university events.
Of course, the congregation is comprised of many former and active graduates and university staff who are proud of maintaining this heritage and passing the faith along to current students. We are now seeing the impact of this ministry, as some students who graduate and settle in Indianapolis return to make this church their home.
Is ministry to a campus difficult? You bet. Can the Church do more? Certainly. Is the university changing and trying to minister to students? Without doubt.
From my perspective, we would do well to remember some important points:
Patience -- ministry is built one step at a time, one student at a time, one volunteer at a time, and one connection with the university or church at a time.
Students are busy people -- many go home on the weekends, work jobs, or are looking for points of connection with God other than Sunday mornings (remember how rough mornings were after a Saturday night? Morning Sunday school classes for students rarely work!)
Worship must speak to the student -- The music, medium and message has to be relevant. Each week, I have to ask myself, "Will a college student identify with this concept, this 'church word,' or this song?" I've been amazed at how much we can accomplish with a great guitar player and some video clips. I am continually challenged to find new ways to communicate the message of Christ's love.
Look for other venues to welcome students -- Friday evenings, study nights during finals week, welcome to campus days, etc. And don't forget food.
Relationship and trust is important -- I am certain that many students would gladly talk to a pastor who is accessible, friendly and supportive. The longer I'm around students, the more they seem to find their way into the various doors of the church.
Todd Outcalt, Pastor
University Heights UMC, Indianapolis