23 Votes

It was a historic day for The United Methodist Church.  The voting body had asked for the Council of Bishops for their wisdom, perspective, guidance-- which had never in the history of the UMC been done.  The famous quote I will remember that came from Tom Berlin from the floor, "Quite frankly, bishop, we think it's your role to lead".  And I truly believe the Council of Bishops was glad to finally be asked to step in and show another way.  We all love this church, and we all want out of the quagmire.

We heard the report of the Council of Bishops.  I received it as good news.   All petitions on human sexuality would be tabled for 2016 and a special council would be named to come to a common table for discernment.  The recommendation to me seems like a way forward that would honor an intentional conversation for resolution.  There are more than two sides of understanding to the issue of human sexuality.  Most of the time, we only hear from the polar extremes.  The recommendation would invite us to step away from the drama and come together for a more reasonable, practical and compassionate way forward.  All options would be on the table. 

But first we had to vote on the Council of Bishops recommendation.  It took us 5 hours with a lot of anxiety.  Several amendments were voted down, and I honestly felt my heart sink.  I knew that if this recommendation did not pass in some form, that the rest of our days here in Portland would be petition after petition concerning "human sexuality" which is code for exclusion and prohibitions of LGBTQI in ordination, marriages, etc.  And the rest of our days here in Portland would be filled with disruption, pain and tears while people advocating for full inclusion would put their lives down, willing to be arrested if need be for disorderly conduct.  It would be a non-violent form of protest set to stop the UMC from doing more harm.

The vote passed in the affirmative by 23 votes.  Twenty-three votes. 

Today, as I am getting ready to go to the Convention Center, I hear that there may be a group strategizing to "reconsider the petition".  I have no idea how this day will go.  I am sitting in the stands with our Transition Into Ministry young adult clergy group.  They are my hope.  We do not all have to agree on theological issues to be the body of Christ.  Bishop Ough reminded us yesterday as he gave the report from the Council of Bishops, "unity does not mean unanimity".  I just want to go back home to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina knowing that we have treated each human on this planet like a beloved member of community, a child of God.

Words from Paul are good to remember on days like today.  This translation is from 
The Message

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.