It has been an important and exhausting day here in Fort Worth. It all began with worship as Bishop Violet Fisher preached a compelling and passionate sermon on the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (a scripture dear to my heart). Beginning every day with worship is such a blessing. I need to find a way to do that back home.
From there, we went to the issue of the United Methodist Social Creed. With Bishop Peter Weaver presiding (a Western Pennsylvania boy), I proposed a course of action that would preserve the existing Social Creed (a document that I believe is too important to jettison) and make the proposed New Social Creed into “A Companion Litany to the Social Creed”. In other words, I proposed that BOTH documents should be in our Discipline (and in the new United Methodist Hymnal that will be created in this next quadrennium). I made the argument that the proposed new social creed isn’t really a creed at all, but rather a portion of liturgical poetry. I went on to make the point that, in these confusing times, United Methodists would benefit from having, not only a poetic litany in their worship, but also a precisely-worded creed in their theological literature (which our existing Social Creed has been for a long time now).
Much to my amazement, my proposed course of action was approved by the General Conference. So, the existing Social Creed lives on for at least another quadrennium. Yay!!!
From there, we entered into one of the most difficult days that I have ever experienced. All afternoon and evening (until 10:30 PM), we dealt with all of the major pieces concerning the church’s stance on homosexuality. I was in tears more than once—tears of sadness over the painful stories that some of the homosexual delegates shared concerning their journeys; tears of guilt over all of the ways in which I have become cold-hearted and flippant about the issue in recent days; and, certainly, tears of despair over a church that is clearly divided. Although relatively civil in its tone, the long debate was gut-wrenching and heartbreaking for people on both sides of the issue. I spent most of the day in prayer.
When all was said and done, the General Conference decided to retain all of the current disciplinary language concerning homosexuality being incompatible with the teaching of Scripture. If you believe that that is the correct stance (as I do), then you will be pleased with that decision. But if you advocate a change in the church’s position, you will no doubt be hurt by the news of this. No matter what your viewpoint may be, please understand this: There are no winners in this debate, just a lot of broken hearts. Please pray for all of those who were deeply wounded today, because there were many.
By the way, you would have been proud of Bobby Z (that’s Zilhaver) and Matty J (that’s Johnson) for their very important contributions to the work of the General Conference today. Bob’s earlier call for some declaratory decisions from our denomination’s Judicial Council led to an important declaration from the Council that will help to bring about a much needed separation of powers and protect the integrity of our denomination’s judiciary. Well done, BZ! Matt, on the other hand, provided some much needed clarity in his brief but articulate speech on the floor of the Conference. (It made up for his rather messy opening of an over-shaken carbonated beverage earlier in the day!)
One of the things that helped to get me through this day was a special collection of cards and notes delivered to me by my friend Roseann Smith (a member of Central Highlands Church who made the trip to Fort Worth simply to be one of the agents of prayer in this place). In fact, Roseann brought to everyone in the delegation some cards and notes from his or her friends and family back home. This evening, Roseann gave to me my stack. At one point in one of the more painful debates, I spent a few minutes opening the cards and notes. In those cards, I was absolutely flooded with words of love and encouragement from Tara and from the people of Central Highlands Church. Hundreds of expressions and names, all of which made their way into the depths of my soul.
I will never be able to explain to you what the experience of receiving those cards and notes meant to me. It was like a spiritual oasis in the desert of the homosexuality debate. The tears of sadness, for a moment, became tears of joy as I remembered all the saints in my life who are holding me in their hearts during these difficult days. Thank you, Roseann. And thank you all.
Eric, you did an excellent job.
I was very proud of our delegation! You are all living up to the faith we place in you last summer. William, by the way, also had a fine contribution to yesterday’s debates.
The pain of the day was evident. I watched much of the evening debate online and was in prayer as I did so. May God bless us and comfort us, and, through the work of the Conference, bring unity and new life to folks on both sides.
Eric, I too watched much of yesterday’s proceedings on line. What an amazing opportunity for all who are able to watch live broadcasting on line. I was so proud of all of our delegates from Western PA! The division of our denomination is quite evident, but the manner in which all conducted themselves, at least from what we could see on the live coverage, was done with love and understanding of the others point of view.
Hopefully the rest of the conferencing is not quite as difficult. GOOD WORK!
Eric,
I would like to thank you for sharing this with us today. It sounds like our delegation has made significant contributions to the process of General Conference. May you all find the rest you need in our Lord Jesus Christ. Nice job on the Social Creed. I will be anxious to share this with our church group who focused on the Social Principles and the Creed last night.
God’s Grace,
Jeff
Eric,
It was the Lord’s desire for you to have those notes exactly when you needed them. I am just so blessed to be able to be His messenger for such a time as this! Rest well my friend, you fought valiantly!
Roseann
Eric — Thank you for your diligence in sharing with us throughout the conference. I hope the sharing became a release; and, not a burden. Know that we prayed for you “without ceasing” and that the fruit of your labor for Him will manifest itself — perhaps at a time and place that you would not have expected!
We hope you are beginning to be rested … and, are finding sanctuary with Tara … and, perhaps your superhero adventure films! We are glad you are home …
S.
E:
To say that I am proud of you for your role in the General Conference would be an understatement. You have been on my mind more than I can tell you, and I appreciate (as do many… obviously) your updates. Thank you for shedding some light into the process there.
I really appreciate your efforts (superb job on the Social Creed)… but even bigger than that I appreciate how seriously you took this responsibility. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like, and this particular blog just drove home how intense the event was. So thank you. Thank you for the work you did, the little sleep you got, and the stress you felt… and the emotions you felt. God was SERIOUSLY working through you. Seriously.
The Methodist Church as a national organization was no doubt blessed by your presence and your commitment to the gathering.
It’s so easy for me to imagine how valuable your input was- and how powerful your own dialogs/discussions/input was (were?) (arugh, call the grammar police…)
Anyhow. I’m proud of you. Very proud of you. What a great job you did on behalf the church body.
Hugs to you my friend.
F.
Eric, thanks for being such a great delegate at GC… you did an awesome job protecting the creed on which the church has stood for a hundred years. I have started a new, fresh blog… you might want to check it out… life is beginning anew, and I’m thrilled.
Eric -
You would make a great diplomat! I witnessed how you put those diplomatic skills to use for the Kingdom of Christ and was very proud of you. I had a great sense of the Holy Spirit working within you in the moments you spoke on Litany vs. Poetry.
It was evident that in that short period of time from the proposed amendment you brought forth, to the voting, that God’s will was being done through His humble servant known as Eric Park. I was in wonder at how you were able to communicate the words which resonated so profoundly with the delegates. I also could see on their faces as they listened to you that your eloquence was penetrating their spirits with a word of truth worthy of consideration and ultimate affirmation. Bravo! Your evident prayer and anguish over the changing of the existing Social Creed bore much fruit. Now rest Dear friend for the battles ahead.