BUMC Session 2 - Options of Speculation and Fear

Much of what I saw in the side-by-side charts was based on speculation and fear of the future.   Clearly, the Holy spirit is ALIVE in the dilemma we face. 

Everyone says it, and the survey confirmed that we are a community with DIVERSE VIEWS.

The more we side step our diversity the more the pain grows.  In a diverse community the options to stay united or to separate comes down to a binary choice:

- we hold God's dilemma (our diversity) in GRACE and FAITH .... or - we choose a side.

I post this for the lead team because I feel the leaders of Methodism are not caring for the flock - in my opinion theses exercises in "discernment" only raise the pain level instead of absorbing the pain as leaders. This applies to "big tent" Bishops, conferences leaders and even our lead team. Proof is in the "Path Forward" exercise pre-2020. . Our lead pastor said it best in response to why we don't highlight sexuality positions -- "we tried it in 2019 and found views were not changed". Theological debates should be in classes to allow the Holy Spirit to work through the community. When "discernment" is tried in polity (governance) VERY little changes and we only grows in PAIN. This has been shown in BUMC, in UMC, our society and countless other churches where diversity reflects God's will.

The "TOO MUCH PAIN" is the primary justification for choosing sides -- ie. the claim is that separation is less painful than grace and faith. Choosing separation ensures that diversity dies and our polar identities are solidified. This is true of BOTH SIDES.

The more the leaders seek to "discern", the more the pain grows. It is like the Shepard asking the sheep which field they want to graze. Unfortunately, the devil has already won when we started the discernment period. I have noticed that much of the "strife" and pain is about events outside of BUMC. In the kick off meeting, the presenter explicitly mentioned how members are talking with others outside BUMC and that this is the source for speculation as to the future of the UMC. In the Book of Job, a force comes from outside the life of Job and disrupts everything. Job screams to take God to trial and hold God accountable. Just as many today scream to hold Big Bishops accountable. Oh Ye of little Faith. Our leaders are falling asleep at the critical test of the Cross. Imagine Jesus requesting a discernment period as too how to respond to dilemma of the day. The more I see of this "discernment process", the more it becomes clear that forces outside of BUMC and UMC want us to discern ourselves into the pains of Job. In the end God's WILL be done and his glory with shine. This is the FAITH I will hold on too. Satan, let your winds of speculation blow. My faith remains strong within the connectionism of our Methodism. Committed to GRACE and FAITH. Strong leaders would stop the discernment period and let the winds blow subside. For our Lord has conquered fear.