I know
that I haven’t been good about writing my musings. There are no excuses. Nancy
and I are in the process of packing readying ourselves to move. Jenny mentioned
the fact as an active pastor the number of times we have moved seemed to be
continuing even in retirement. There have been many factors that have led us to
seek a new apartment and we found one near Tranquility Park here in Omaha. So once
again we are in the process of downsizing and stacking boxes throughout our
apartment. I do hope that we don’t have to do this annually.
On another
note, this is the first annual conference that I am not attending. I have
attended AC every year for the last 18 years. There are parts of AC I loved and
there were parts that I wondered if this was a colossal waste. The time that we
spend is more efficient lately which is an improvement. I have enjoyed the
plenary sessions with the opportunity to learn. I also enjoyed the time of meeting
with my colleagues. The special services especially the ordination service were
spiritually uplifting as was the times of the youth worship service (more so in
the past when they actually planned the service during YAC.)
What held
me back from this AC, was the fallout of the special called general conference.
I know that we would be electing delegates to attend General Conference in 2020
and I will miss voting for those clergy that would be willing to advocate to undo
what was decided. If one thought that what happened in St. Louis would end the
debate on inclusion, I would guarantee they are wrong. We will continue to
debate whether we are a church with open minds and open doors to all of God’s
children. I hope that what some of the leadership of churches who came together
to discuss #UMNext might prevail or do we look at the reorganization of the
church in three, conservative, progressive, or centralists. Maybe now is the
time to seriously look at the splits of the church and instead of the continuous
fighting over who is right or not, we accept that an amiable separation may be
in the best interests of not just the church but also in the Great Commission. For
me, the arguing on who is in and who isn’t, distracts us from the why of
church. I feel that the church that I pastored in for the last 18 years and
continue to be active in the church has lost its way.
I needed
a break from listening to the same arguments presented to justify their beliefs.
There has been no change except the fear of change. Any wonder we are a dying
church. And when I say that I know that there is hope as I see churches like
the one Nancy and I belong continue to grow and flourish. My fear is that the
continued bickering can eventually affect the church distracting it from
fulfilling God’s vision of loving. Maybe I am just tired and want to see something
else that is worthwhile in living out my faith. I have stated that I worship
the Triune God who is living and continuing to call us to God’s purpose. I try
not to get up in the legalistic interpretation of the bible which was similar
to the Pharisees of old. Rather, using scripture as a guide to God’s Will, I choose
to try to live in love that we are all the adopted children of our Creator,
Redeemer, and Sustainer.
For my
brothers and sisters in Christ who are attending AC, I will be praying for you.
May the Spirit guide you beyond ourselves, to be instruments of love and peace
in this world which is in desperate need.
Shalom
Eldon
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