Report from General Conference
By Charles Schuster
Well, we are half way through the meeting and so far there have been some interesting moments. One of the unofficial groups in the denomination (The Good News Group) purchased cell phones for all the non-US delegates so they could "text-message" information as to how they should vote. Since the non-US delegates comprise 30% of the 1000 people that is not a small issue. Some of us consider this activity over the edge and inappropriate.
The worship services and sermons are wonderful and the debate has been friendly and we have been able to be agreeable with each other so far.
I don't think they will change the legislation on gay clergy and will continue to prohibit their ordination. We might take the phrase "homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching" out of the book of law but I suspect it will remain.
We are struggling with budget issues and what to do about declining income. I think they will allow bishops to remain as bishops until they are 72 years old and they may extend the retirement age for clergy as well.
Most of the really interesting legislation has not come to the floor of the Conference. It has all been done in legislative committees of about 100 members. My legislative committee had three Russians, one Angolan, a man from Denmark (who knew all about the Marcusan Organ company), and several from several other African countries. The international aspect of this meeting is dominant.
Tomorrow (Monday) things will begin to get interesting. I will try to write on occasion so you can have some idea what's happening.
If you have questions about General Conference or anything else send me an email. I will be happy to hear from you.
Charles Schuster
Next Sunday is Youth Sunday. I return Saturday and will be in the Samaritan Class to talk about this event. I look forward to coming home.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Friday's thoughts
What does it mean to be a saint? a royal priesthood? God's own people?
Two things:
1. It means we know we haven't arrived. We are in the process of arriving. We are moving on to perfection but we are not perfect. We know we have work to do but we are encouraged to do the work that needs to be done. We know who we are and we are aware of whom we can become. So much religion is a put down. I think the intent of Christian nurture is to lift up; to cause to move forward.
2. It means we have developed the tenacity to persevere. We keep on keeping on and we never quit. We work hard and when we are discouraged that just means we work a little harder. We know that we're in it for the long haul. It's a marathon; not a sprint.
We are a royal priesthood. The saints who have gone before us have paved the way for us. They have made our path a little easier to travel. They have taken on some of the battles we won't have to face.
We are a royal priesthood; we are probationary saints. Sometimes it seems others have made footprints in the contreet ; while we see ourselves as running barefoot through wet cement.
Out my window is the columbarium where the ashes of some of the saints are interred. On the other side of my office is the church sanctuary where hundreds of probationary saints meet every week trying to determine what can be learned from the people who have gone before us; trying to be patient with ourselves and working to persevere to the end what we had started in the beginning.
If you have thoughts on this subject I'd be pleased to hear from you. Contact me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Two things:
1. It means we know we haven't arrived. We are in the process of arriving. We are moving on to perfection but we are not perfect. We know we have work to do but we are encouraged to do the work that needs to be done. We know who we are and we are aware of whom we can become. So much religion is a put down. I think the intent of Christian nurture is to lift up; to cause to move forward.
2. It means we have developed the tenacity to persevere. We keep on keeping on and we never quit. We work hard and when we are discouraged that just means we work a little harder. We know that we're in it for the long haul. It's a marathon; not a sprint.
We are a royal priesthood. The saints who have gone before us have paved the way for us. They have made our path a little easier to travel. They have taken on some of the battles we won't have to face.
We are a royal priesthood; we are probationary saints. Sometimes it seems others have made footprints in the contreet ; while we see ourselves as running barefoot through wet cement.
Out my window is the columbarium where the ashes of some of the saints are interred. On the other side of my office is the church sanctuary where hundreds of probationary saints meet every week trying to determine what can be learned from the people who have gone before us; trying to be patient with ourselves and working to persevere to the end what we had started in the beginning.
If you have thoughts on this subject I'd be pleased to hear from you. Contact me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"And Yet Those Saints Keep Marching On"
"God, Give Me Patience, Now"
There are people who have gone before us who have made footprints in the cement. The Grauman's Chinese Theater established this tradition of having their movie stars put their footprints in the cement. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were the first to do that but the tradition continues to this day.
The saints, who have gone before us, have made footprints in the cement, but we are leaving so little of a permanent nature in the chronicle of time. It's as if we are running barefoot through wet cement.
There is a Biblical text that says, "We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. God's own people, in that we may proclaim the mighty acts of God who called us out of darkness into God's light. Once we were not a people, but now we are God's people; once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10).
What do we do with the fact that there are people who have made such a difference in their lives, and we seem not to have done much?
How do we praise them for their accomplishments and have patience with ourselves so that we will have a chance to make our accomplishments?
The issue Sunday is patience, and praise, and meaning in life.
Have you done 1. great things? 2. good things? 3.nothing? 4. bad things?
How do our lives stack up as compared to the saints who have gone before us?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to be in a public conversation with me and others click on the box below and your response will be able to be viewed.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
"God, Give Me Patience, Now"
There are people who have gone before us who have made footprints in the cement. The Grauman's Chinese Theater established this tradition of having their movie stars put their footprints in the cement. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were the first to do that but the tradition continues to this day.
The saints, who have gone before us, have made footprints in the cement, but we are leaving so little of a permanent nature in the chronicle of time. It's as if we are running barefoot through wet cement.
There is a Biblical text that says, "We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. God's own people, in that we may proclaim the mighty acts of God who called us out of darkness into God's light. Once we were not a people, but now we are God's people; once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10).
What do we do with the fact that there are people who have made such a difference in their lives, and we seem not to have done much?
How do we praise them for their accomplishments and have patience with ourselves so that we will have a chance to make our accomplishments?
The issue Sunday is patience, and praise, and meaning in life.
Have you done 1. great things? 2. good things? 3.nothing? 4. bad things?
How do our lives stack up as compared to the saints who have gone before us?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to be in a public conversation with me and others click on the box below and your response will be able to be viewed.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Monday's thoughts
Sunday, April 20th
"And Still The Saints Go Marching In"
I want to have us take a look at what it means to live out, to the fullest extent, the essence and meaning of the Christian faith. I want to have us think about the people who have been an example for us of what that has been for them and what that is for us.
There are two biblical texts that speak to us on this subject.
The first one is from Acts 7 and it is the story of the murder of Stephen. Stephen was one of the first Christian martyrs. A martyr is a man or woman who witnesses his or her faith. In this case Stephen was stoned for his faith and as he died he forgave his killers. One of the people who was involved was Paul. Paul held the coats of the people who murdered Stephen. We would have to imagine that witness was a huge influence on Paul. And Paul became one of the most important heroes in the expression and the expansion of the Christian faith. His conversion was noted as he walked the road to Damascus but I wonder if the witness of Stephen didn't play an important role as well.
The other text is from 1 Peter 2. It is that section that calls us a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, and God's own people". The saints keep marching in when we realize that the obligation comes to us and the examples we have from the people who have gone before us provide incentive for us to follow in their footsteps.
Sunday, I want us to think about the people who have been role models for us and how we have been given direction in our lives by their example.
Who did that for you?
Who were the saints of your past?
How does their example inform your action?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net or click on the blog at the bottom of the page to add your thoughts to these comments.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
"And Still The Saints Go Marching In"
I want to have us take a look at what it means to live out, to the fullest extent, the essence and meaning of the Christian faith. I want to have us think about the people who have been an example for us of what that has been for them and what that is for us.
There are two biblical texts that speak to us on this subject.
The first one is from Acts 7 and it is the story of the murder of Stephen. Stephen was one of the first Christian martyrs. A martyr is a man or woman who witnesses his or her faith. In this case Stephen was stoned for his faith and as he died he forgave his killers. One of the people who was involved was Paul. Paul held the coats of the people who murdered Stephen. We would have to imagine that witness was a huge influence on Paul. And Paul became one of the most important heroes in the expression and the expansion of the Christian faith. His conversion was noted as he walked the road to Damascus but I wonder if the witness of Stephen didn't play an important role as well.
The other text is from 1 Peter 2. It is that section that calls us a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, and God's own people". The saints keep marching in when we realize that the obligation comes to us and the examples we have from the people who have gone before us provide incentive for us to follow in their footsteps.
Sunday, I want us to think about the people who have been role models for us and how we have been given direction in our lives by their example.
Who did that for you?
Who were the saints of your past?
How does their example inform your action?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net or click on the blog at the bottom of the page to add your thoughts to these comments.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
Sunday, April 13th is Confirmation Sunday. This is the day the youth who have been part of the Confirmation Class join the church. Joel may be putting something about the sermon and the service on the 'Build a sermon' or he may not be able to find time to do that. He is busy writing his sermon and meeting with each member of the class.
Our Confirmation Class process is one of the best I've seen. They have been meeting over a period of time and have had an opportunity to explore issues of faith in depth. They have studied our church, its structures, our worship. They have explored theological issues and have been challenged to deepen their faith. They have looked at the broad view of how the United Methodist Church works and have considered some of the struggles we have as a denomination.
I had the privilege of meeting with the Confirmation class a few weeks ago. I presented some of the General Conference petitions to the class and had them debate and vote on them. I was impressed with the careful approach to the questions I gave them and the processes they used to arrive at their conclusions. They would have made great delegates.
We are very fortunate to have Joel working with our confirmation youth. They are receiving a wonderful theological foundation and will enter into membership with an approach to religion that has substance and depth.
If you would like to learn more about the Confirmation Class write Joel at jkershaw@fcfumc.net
Charles
Our Confirmation Class process is one of the best I've seen. They have been meeting over a period of time and have had an opportunity to explore issues of faith in depth. They have studied our church, its structures, our worship. They have explored theological issues and have been challenged to deepen their faith. They have looked at the broad view of how the United Methodist Church works and have considered some of the struggles we have as a denomination.
I had the privilege of meeting with the Confirmation class a few weeks ago. I presented some of the General Conference petitions to the class and had them debate and vote on them. I was impressed with the careful approach to the questions I gave them and the processes they used to arrive at their conclusions. They would have made great delegates.
We are very fortunate to have Joel working with our confirmation youth. They are receiving a wonderful theological foundation and will enter into membership with an approach to religion that has substance and depth.
If you would like to learn more about the Confirmation Class write Joel at jkershaw@fcfumc.net
Charles
Friday, April 4, 2008
Friday's thoughts
"I am neither for or against apathy"
Apathy is one of the biggest problems we have. I leads to an unreflective life; and it leads to all kinds of problems in society and in the world when people allow things to happen and do not make any effort to take responsibility.
Apathy also leads to boredom in life. It leads to an attitude that allows us to live through our days and merely exist; not really live.
Three things will help us with apathy:
1. To wake up to something new by moving away from the routine we accept.
2. To open up to the possibility that there is more we can give than we know we have to give.
3. To participate in a community of faith, and to find a way to realize that everything we do has rammifications. We can make things better in the world if we work together.
Apathy is an important and serious problem.
How do you confront apathy in your life. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Apathy is one of the biggest problems we have. I leads to an unreflective life; and it leads to all kinds of problems in society and in the world when people allow things to happen and do not make any effort to take responsibility.
Apathy also leads to boredom in life. It leads to an attitude that allows us to live through our days and merely exist; not really live.
Three things will help us with apathy:
1. To wake up to something new by moving away from the routine we accept.
2. To open up to the possibility that there is more we can give than we know we have to give.
3. To participate in a community of faith, and to find a way to realize that everything we do has rammifications. We can make things better in the world if we work together.
Apathy is an important and serious problem.
How do you confront apathy in your life. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"We Stand Neither For or Against Apathy"
This sermon will try to address a major problem in our faith. It is the issue of drifting through life; of waiting for things to happen and doing nothing to make them happen.
An argument could be made that Jesus viewed his mission as confronting the issue of apathy. He was more concerned with what happens when we allow our lives to fold back into nothingness and meaninglessness. Life is to be lived; not tolerated. It is to be savored; not just allowed. You could link apathy with sin; you could link it with injustice; you could link it with evil.
Someone said once that evil isn't the result of bad people doing bad things; it is the result of good people who become indifferent to the bad things that happen.
The sermon will take off on three directions and it will be based on three things Jesus said to people with frequency:
1. He said, "When you think we're all in the same boat, get out of the boat".
2. He said, "When you think you don't have anything worth giving, reach into your pockets; it's more than you know."
3. He said, "When you are looking for spiritual food, let's go over to your house and have dinner."
Apathy can be confronted if we are willing to risk, and if we are able to give of ourselves, and if we are prepared to listen to the "still small voice".
How do you confront apathy in your life and how do you think our faith prepares us to confront it?
Write me at Charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. You may want to respond to this blog with a comment that others could see by clicking on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
This sermon will try to address a major problem in our faith. It is the issue of drifting through life; of waiting for things to happen and doing nothing to make them happen.
An argument could be made that Jesus viewed his mission as confronting the issue of apathy. He was more concerned with what happens when we allow our lives to fold back into nothingness and meaninglessness. Life is to be lived; not tolerated. It is to be savored; not just allowed. You could link apathy with sin; you could link it with injustice; you could link it with evil.
Someone said once that evil isn't the result of bad people doing bad things; it is the result of good people who become indifferent to the bad things that happen.
The sermon will take off on three directions and it will be based on three things Jesus said to people with frequency:
1. He said, "When you think we're all in the same boat, get out of the boat".
2. He said, "When you think you don't have anything worth giving, reach into your pockets; it's more than you know."
3. He said, "When you are looking for spiritual food, let's go over to your house and have dinner."
Apathy can be confronted if we are willing to risk, and if we are able to give of ourselves, and if we are prepared to listen to the "still small voice".
How do you confront apathy in your life and how do you think our faith prepares us to confront it?
Write me at Charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. You may want to respond to this blog with a comment that others could see by clicking on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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