On our Annual Conference...
So I decided to attend our Annual Conference last weekend.
Last year I went for a day, and heard some very cool stories in the laity session of some out-of-the-box type ministries: A truck-stop ministry on the turnpike, a woman who walks the streets of Harrisburg to care for the needs of prostitutes and drug dealers, and many more.
They didn't do those stories this year, which I was gravely disappointed in. Our Mission Central arm did report on Friday, and it was good to hear the work they are doing over the world for refugees and orphans.
The rest of the conference? Well...ugh.
One of the sessions we were talking about particular resolutions, and I couldn't even believe how right-wing our conference is. Look, I'm not either left or right, but I was appalled listening to people come up to microphones bashing a resolution on promoting a cleaner environment. There was also a push to support non-smoking in all public restaurants and public places due to secondhand smoke.
I remember one particular person going up to the microphone and saying, "This is really a political issue that's being promoted, not a spiritual one." I just wanted to vomit. You just made a political statement, so I'm confused...
The stream through all of the resolutions was people getting bent out of shape over rules and regs. I mean honestly, when people are more passionate about rule keeping than mission, we've missed the point. I know this is not the opinion of all in our conference, but it was very disappointing. What I didn't know that as a non-delegate I still have a voice. If I had known that I would've walked up and said something. I was sick to my stomach listening to some of these comments.
Even more, it was very disappointing to look up in the crowd and see the average age of our conference....60. And we even saw some of the same people. I am curious on whether we send new people or not. We need some fresh voices.
The big system I find myself in is growing more and more burdensome. I just understand why we argue about most of the things we argue about.
Tags: United Methodist Church, Annual Conference
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