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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
November 2002 |
Conference-wide campaign questioned
I'm talking about the conference-wide appeal for funds to construct the New Hope Church in Anderson, disguised as honoring Bishop Woodie W. White.
My understanding is that this appeal to other churches is against the very policies of the United Methodist Church. So how is the New Hope Church any different than the churches in Gary, or South Bend, or Fort Wayne, or struggling churches anywhere?
I believe the conference has a fund which gives small grants to churches wishing to build. And loan funds are available. But to expect all churches in the conference to contribute to one single church in the name of the Bishop is starting something which may come back to haunt us.
If other churches want to build a new sanctuary or education building, may they ask the churches in North Indiana Conference to contribute? Why not?
Somebody was very clever in figuring out how to get around the policy of not making a general appeal for funds for one church. Were the delegates to the annual conference afraid to vote against this blatant violation of established policy? How will the cabinet handle all the future requests for the same privilege, which are sure to come?
This request for funds doesn't seem to be about honoring our Bishop; it seems to be about collecting a million dollars to build a new sanctuary!
M. Shilling
Knox UMC
'Politically correct' door hangers
The door knob hangers shown on the front page of September HUM says: "I believe no one who asks for help should be turned away. I believe none of us is qualified to judge the lives of others. I believe when you truly embrace diversity, you embrace God."
I believe these are statements of political correctness. They lack the strength of a follower of Jesus Christ. They lack the reverence of John Wesley They lack common sense. Jesus called his followers to be discerning. He called us to use wisdom and good judgment in daily living , He called us to love the Lord God with our whole heart. Shall we strive to become UMC:PC, "United Methodist Church: Politically Correct"? No wishy-washy door hangers for me.
Nancy Parkison, (via e-mail)
Muncie District
It is really great to have this on-line. Thanks so very much!
I would like to offer a thought for your consideration. This on-line version makes the paper much more accessible to people like me, who aren't very knowledgeable about the ins and outs, ups and downs of the UMC beyond the local church. I've noticed that, especially in columns, there are vague references to discontent. (Note the bishop's letter and, for our Michiana region, Rev. Motto's, for example.)
These references don't offer any context. I don't know what is considered liberal or conservative, or what might constitute a "change-over-my-dead-body" person. The impression that I am given is that the writer thinks in terms of labels -- convenient shorthand, but rarely just. This impression doesn't give me great confidence.
There is the additional concern that labels are contagious. It is all too easy for someone to pick them up and apply them in their local church. We have many varying views in our local church and I think it would be a sad mistake to sort them out as liberal or conservative, as for or against change. It's better to listen well to the individual and seek to understand the world view which underlies their concerns.
I don't know if you get to edit these people, but you might pass on this thought to raise their awareness.
Carole Roos (rooscc@aol.com)
First UMC South Bend
Letter to all United Methodists regarding President Bush's proposed 'preemptive strike' against Iraq:
Last updated on 01/14/2004As the president of Council of Bishops, I write to you with a sense of urgency about the present perilous state of our world. I do so because 1) the Gospel of peace needs to be heard; 2) our United Methodist Social Principles offer guidance, and 3) our General Conference expects the Council of Bishops to "speak to the Church and from the Church to the world."
Nothing could be clearer than that the Gospel of Christ is a Gospel of peace. Jesus rejects the violent response to evil. "He who takes the sword will perish by the sword." Jesus, speaking to us about a new way of living, proclaims that peacemakers are blessed and that "they will be called children of God." He moves the standard even higher by urging us to love our enemies and "pray for those who persecute you." Paul tells as that we are not to return evil for evil, but are to "overcome evil with good."
Our General Conference, on the basis of these Gospel teachings, declares: "Some nations possess more military and economic power than do others. Upon the powerful rests responsibility to exercise their wealth and influence with restraint .... We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as a usual instrument of national foreign policy and insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them."
Without question, Saddam Hussein is in gross violation of numerous United Nations resolutions, and President Bush is to be commended for calling the United Nations to accountability on this score. The United States and the United Nations should take the steps necessary to ensure compliance. But a preemptive war by the United States against a nation like Iraq goes against the very grain of our understanding of the Gospel, our church's teachings, and our conscience. Preemptive strike does not reflect restraint and does not allow for the adequate pursuit of peaceful means for resolving conflict. To be silent in the face of such a prospect is not an option for followers of Christ.
There is no question that President Hussein's demonstrated behavior leaves any thoughtful person horrified by his treatment of his own citizens and the citizen's of Iraq's neighboring countries. However, ours has been historically a church seeking peace, justice, and reconciliation. Even as we acknowledge the need for military action as a means of self-defense demanded by highly unusual circumstances, our primary allegiance is to what we understand the basics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ require of us -- grace, mercy, peace, justice, and love.
So, I call all of us to prayer. Pray for the leaders of the nations, many of whom bear the name of Christ, that they may truly be led by the spirit of Christ as crucial decisions are made. Write and phone them, letting them know of your deep concern. Especially lift your prayers for United Methodists President Bush and Vice-President Cheney, that they may truly seek the will of God in Christ as they make awesome decisions of life and death, war and peace.
In Christ,
Sharon A. Brown Christopher
President, UM Council of Bishops