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May/June 2004 |
Reflections of Bishop White:
An airport conversation
A great deal of my time over the years has been spent in airports. I've often wondered how many miles I've "logged" in the past 25 to30 years. I've preached on four continents, visited every state in our nation save one, Vermont. I think I've visited every Annual Conference in the United States in my capacity as a general secretary or bishop. So airports are familiar places for me as are planes. Unfortunately, direct flights are not as numerous as in past years, so I find myself waiting for more connecting flights than I'd like.
A recent experience while waiting for a flight proved to be a bit unnerving.
While reading a not-too-interesting book, I was interrupted by a fellow passenger.
"How's the book?" said the stranger.
"Not as good as I anticipated," I responded, hoping the conversation would end there. I like to avoid conversations with strangers in airports and on planes. I prefer the solace these times of anonymity offer.
"Well, you United Methodists are making news again, I see."
Surprised I was identified as a United Methodist, I then realized I was wearing my episcopal lapel pin. This must be a United Methodist, I quickly surmised.
Desiring not to engage in debate or even discussion of the latest denominational controversy, I chose to be as noncommittal as possible, responding with a simple, "Yes."
I hoped that would end the matter. I was wrong.
"Really haven't heard much from you on the matter" I was stunned by such an intrusion, and apparent recognition by this fellow traveler.
"It's obvious you don't want to talk about it," was the accurate observation. I didn't!
However, the stranger was persistent, eliciting more conversation, information, or perhaps debate.
A discussion of homosexuality or the recent controversial verdict in the Dammann trial in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference must be carried on with care, and indeed caution, I reasoned. Especially by a bishop! I knew how important and far-reaching could be my response even to this person I didn't recognize. Yet there was something compelling in the tone and invitation that I say more.
I hesitantly and reluctantly began to respond.
"The General Conference is the legislative branch of our Church. It is this body, meeting every four years, which determines the order, structure, and official doctrinal and social positions of our denomination worldwide."
"Yes," said the inquisitor, seemingly unimpressed with my comments thus far.
"Approximately one thousand delegates from across the United States, Africa, Europe and the Philippines discuss and debate important matters, most of which will be placed in our 2004 Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions," I explained. I could tell that I was not making an impression. The stranger seemed bored.
"The Book of Discipline is what in fact defines us as United Methodists!" I said.
I went on, "The Discipline states: 'This book of covenant sets forth the theological grounding of The United Methodist Church in biblical faith and affirms that we go forward as loyal heirs to all that is best in the Christian past.'"
Now there appeared some interest in what I was saying, I noted.
"It is our Covenant Book as United Methodists. It contains the directives and recommendations by which we agree to order our personal, ecclesiological and corporate life as United Methodists."
I continued without interruption.
"We agree as United Methodists to abide by this Book, which we believe grounds itself in Scripture and seeks to reflect God's leading. Where the provisions are mandatory they must be followed, no discretion or deviation is permitted."
Now my fellow traveler seemed more interested.
"You seem pretty serious about this Book of Discipline," was the response.
"I really am! In fact I've tried to order my life by it the last 50 years!" I said. "Frankly, I've had some part in shaping it as a delegate to five General Conferences.
"So you think it's perfect?"
"No," I said. "It is still, after all, the effort of fallible men and women. In fact, I don't agree with everything in it. And over the years I have voted against some provisions that ultimately were placed in The Book of Discipline!"
An interested stare was the response.
I was on a roll now; so I continued with more passion in my voice.
"However, I have always held The Book of Discipline represents the 'law' and 'will' of the Church and is to be adhered to, whether one agrees with its provisions or not, until changed. Of course, since becoming a Bishop I've had to approach The Discipline with even greater care.
"I recall in 1968, when we became 'The United Methodist Church' the character of the denomination was changed radically. Racial segregation was not permitted in any official or organizational unit of the Church."
"Well," was the response.
"Not every member, lay or clergy, agreed with this new direction. It required a major cultural, theological and personal change for individuals and often for whole sections and regions of the Church," I continued.
"And .?" I took this as in invitation to continue.
"Thousands of people and various sections of the Church complied, not because they necessarily agreed with the direction but because it was the law and order of the Church. They understood what it meant to be United Methodist. In part, to abide by our corporate Covenant - The Book of Discipline."
"So, Bishop, what does this have to do with homosexuality, the Dammann case, other controversies facing the Church and what it means to be United Methodist today?" came the question.
"Everything!" I responded. "Everything!"
Woodie W. White