Four years ago, when the Kentucky Annual Conference clergy elected delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference, we were presented with some wonderful choices. Nearly 40 clergy submitted profiles. We elected, what I believe to be, a strong clergy delegation.
With so many qualified persons from which to choose, some very fine clergy candidates were not only not elected but some received very few votes. I know that was a painful experience for some, leading to feelings of rejection. It led me to think, "I don't think I would ever want to put myself through that."
The events of the General Conference of 2012 - a conference that, in the opinion of many, resulted in tremendous frustration and little else - only served to reenforce that perspective. "Who would anyone want to go through that?" I thought. If this wasn't bad enough, the prospects for the General Conference of 2016 are not promising. Sides are being chosen. Battle lines drawn. Political maneuvering is already underway.
What bothers me is not that people would hold to diametrically opposing points-of-view, I can live with that. After all, I attended a mainline Protestant seminary and I am quite accustomed to theological disagreements. I am deeply grateful to Lexington Theological Seminary and all who have been a part of helping me to broaden my horizons, to learn how to disagree with respect and love and how to hold on to my convictions without being antagonistic towards others.
What bothers me is that there are some, all over the theological spectrum, who seem to be almost gleeful about the prospects of ecclesiastical conflict that threatens the United Methodist Church with schism.
So once again I asked myself, "Why would any one want to go put themselves through that?"
Apparently, I'm not the only one asking that question.
The number of clergy submitting profiles for this year's election of delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference is down by almost 1/3 compared to four years ago.
I was perfectly content to be one of those watching from the sidelines...until roughly nine months ago when something happened that convicted me of my complacency. Interestingly enough, it was a struggle in the local church that led me to the decision to seek a place of service in the larger, connectional church.
At the time, we were seeking individuals to serve in leadership in our local church. Many pastors will tell you that it seems that each year it becomes more and more difficult to find individuals willing to serve Christ through leadership in the local church. One day, in total frustration, I thought, "Everyone wants someone to do something, but it seems like everyone wants someone else to be the one to do it."
Then the thought occurred to me. "Isn't that what you're doing? You're willing for others to take the risks and endure the challenges while you sit safely on the sidelines."
Ouch.
So, there I was a few months later. On the day that clergy profiles were due, I looked over what I had prepared. It had been screened by a handful to trusted friends and they encouraged me to pursue it, but only as long as I could face the possibility that I might not be elected.
And I probably won't be....
If you know me, you know I have done my homework before doing something like this, and here is what things look like:
* At least 8 individuals who were a part of the Kentucky Conference delegation (General
and Jurisdictional Conference) in 2012 are seeking to be reelected. Some of these folks
have been to 3 or more General Conferences.
* I have never sought election to our conference delegation.
* I am a middle aged clergy person at just the time there is a strong push for younger
clergy to be elected.
Yet, I cannot sit back and say, "It's someone else's problem." This is too crucial of a time to sit back and hope someone else will do what I am too reluctant, too afraid, to attempt to do. Even if I am not elected to General Conference, the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of 2016 will be a critical one with what appears to be the election of something in the neighborhood of 5-7 bishops.
And what happens if I am not elected?
I will pray for our conference delegation and support their efforts. I will return to Shelbyville Centenary and do my best to help grow the Kingdom of God through the efforts of the local church. And, when I feel the nudge to step out of my comfort zone, I will risk again. I have no desire to sit back, years from now, and ask, "What if?"
And if I am elected?
Well, first I guess I would have to pick my chin up off the floor. Then, I would do my best to learn how to serve in this capacity. I would do my best to hold to my convictions of what scriptural Christianity looks like in the 21st Century, while not being perceived as being mean spirited and arrogant in the process.
So, if you have a moment or two today, pray for us as a conference that we would make wise choices. Pray for me that I will be okay regardless of what happens and pray that all of us will reach the place where we are not content to sit back and wait for somebody to do something while refusing to be the somebody who will do something.
Grace and peace,
Willard
No comments:
Post a Comment