Much has been made over the past two days about “the cell phones.” This, of course, is shorthand (Methodist-speak, if you will), for a controversy that has arisen over a gift given by a special interest group to a block of delegates from outside the U.S.
It goes like this: The Renewal Coalition held a dinner for delegates from outside the U.S., or those from the “Central Conferences.” At this dinner, there was much talk about how The United Methodist Church needs to be renewed, and how we’ve gone astray, and how we must vote to keep the liberal agenda from destroying the denomination. At the end of the dinner, boxes were handed out to about 150 delegates from Africa and the Philippines. Inside these boxes were pre-paid cell phones—a gift from the Renewal Coalition. On top of the boxes were letters, from “Your Friends in The United Methodist Church,” encouraging, in part, that the African and Filipino delegates vote for a specific slate of officers for the Judicial Council, the highest "court" in the United Methodist "legal system."
What?
You read it right.
Don't get me wrong, I think that delegates from outside the U.S. have a distinct disadvantage when it comes to the technology afforded them, but it seems a bit underhanded, and yes, even a little un-Methodist, to go about rectifying the situation this way.
I wrote that "much has been made of this," but really, as I talk to folks back home, there's no indication that this news has even been a blip on the news radar screen. General Conference is such a rarified environment, filled with tension and a fair amount of exhaustion. Cell phones become a big thing when you're locked up in a convention center for two weeks with 1,600 petitions to get through. And tensions can get high when you're in such an environment.
I've been going around this week telling people that I'm much calmer this year than I ever have been about the outcome of General Conference. Maybe it's because I'm getting a new perspective on it. Maybe it's because I've grown since 2000. Or maybe it's because I've seen the care and concern that the delegates are showing in their committees and meetings. The Holy Spirit is flowing in the hearts and minds of the people here, even despite the politics and wrangling (no Texas pun intended). I see it in the careful attention to detail that Matthew Laferty (East Ohio) takes in chairing the legislative committee on Conferences. I see it in the way the delegates keep reminding one another to "slow down," so the translators can keep up, and the non-U.S. delegates can hear. I see it in the hallways and in the hotels and on the shuttles, when the barriers are down and the fatigue of the day has set in. And, I see it when we worship, and 3,000 plus voices are raised in praise of the Almighty God.
Call me an optimist, or maybe I'm just still hopelessly in love with this denomination, but I still think there's hope. I really need to get some more sleep--I'm getting too mushy.
Grace and Peace,
David
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2 comments:
I appreciate your comments from someone who is in communication and working with the Central Conference Delegates (I'm assuming since you're translating, you're a little closer to this than I am!)
I think what you have presented here is so well said. There is a serious imbalance in the playing field of international and domestic delegates.
I also agree with you in your reading of the spirit at GC this year. It is, from what I can see, a much more spirit-filled experience. This is only my second, both times as a reserve, but it seems we are truly seeking the spirit's guidance, as a whole. There are, of course, those pursuing their own agenda, as is noted in the first part of this blog post. But overall, I think we are truly entering into holy conversation with one another. I just hope that it will last as we continue to work, moving to the larger plenary session and working on successively less sleep each day!
i had heard of the cell phones but i am even more taken with the presentation of them.. crazy to think that one might have imagined it an idea that wasn't going to get a reaction.
as someone who has prayed for this event of our church for some time now, i am encouraged to read on a number of postings that people seem more committed to holy conferencing now more than ever.
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