Matthew 28: 16-20
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper
A question I frequently ponder about church is what is the point? Why are we here? What are we trying to do? When I talk with people who don’t go to church, they often wonder as well – why should they go to church? What’s the point?
I’ve been back in Hartford now for a little over a week, and it is good to be home! The conference went well, or at least as well as could be expected whenever you have thousands of Methodists (all with very well defined and articulated opinions) stuck together for two weeks in a very confined area.
There is an excellent wrap up online where you can get a basic summary of the major decisions that were made.
As far as issues of sexuality are concerned, little changed. The votes were all very close, but in the end the status quo was held by a narrow margin. Many commented on the effect that the increased representation of delegates from outside the United States might be having on the vote, hypothesizing that if only the US delegates voted on the issue, the narrow margin would remain, but the votes would be to change our language.
In other interesting tidbits, the General Conference added a phrase to our official membership vows. Presently, new members commit to support the ministries of the church with their “prayers, presence, gifts and service.” Now, added to that list will be their “witness.” It’s an interesting change, that places a new emphasis on each members responsibility to live lives that share the meaning of their faith with others.
The approved church-wide budget comes to $642 million dollars for the next four years (2009-2012) – which is only a 1.2 percent increase over the previous four years – in terms of real buying power, its actually a decrease since it won’t keep pace with inflation. Nevertheless, the budget was passed (surprisingly) with little debate.
The narrowest vote on a social issue (I think) was on whether or not to remain a partner in the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. The RCRC is a partnership among mainline protestant churches to provide education and support for reproductive choice. It is interesting to me that our support of choice is holding on – barely. As we continue to wrestle with issues of sexuality I hope we will consider all the implications of our decisions, and not satisfy ourselves with simplistic moralizing.
We also voted to support the Clergy Letter Project, a project I joined a few years ago that proclaims that religious faith is not incompatible with science in general and Darwinism in particular. The Clergy Letter Project is an interesting little idea that has really grown into a big movement, with some church’s observing “Evolution Sunday” as a way to celebrate God’s creation in the context of modern scientific understanding.
Well – there were countless other events and decisions made. I hope to offer some reflections after church on a Sunday in the near future!
John 7: 37-39
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper
I confess to you that I don’t really understand what fire is exactly. Some people have tried to explain it to me, but I remain puzzled. I can spend hours staring at the flame of a candle wondering what exactly I am looking at. Fire doesn’t fit neatly into the realm of solid, liquid or gas. I can see it clearly, but if I try to touch it I simply burn my finger foolishly. By itself, fire gives off no aroma; it simply glows gently and warms pleasantly. Of course, fire can also be quite exciting – raging ferociously and consuming violently. One little flame, if given fuel to burn, can quickly become a giant torch or a huge disaster. And yet, I really don’t know what fire is exactly. Fire must rank up there with lightening and the telephone as one of the most perplexing items in everyday experience. (more…)
In the April Monthly Epistle, Pastor Bryan Hooper wrote “Now that Easter is over, and we have had this intense, powerful, rewarding experience together, let’s spend the rest of the year having fun. Let’s find creative ways to really enjoy each other and our shared lives. Let’s infuse our church with laughter and smiles, joys and pleasure.” Pastor Bryan’s comments follow in their entirety: (more…)