Ramblings about May 3rd

The Rev. Adam Hamilton reading his amendment on the floor of General Conference on May 3, 2012.

Today I had to go the whole day without knowing what was going on at Conference.  I finished work at 4pm and went to a musical rehearsal (come to the Lincoln High production of Animal Farm next week!) and then had a doctor’s appointment, so I didn’t get home until 8:30 at night!  I’m now listening to the youtube video from this morning’s proceedings while I write.

I don’t know what to say.  I really don’t.  What hurts me most isn’t that the issue failed.  I kind of expected it.

But a few things that have struck me.

1.  Many pastors spoke against Adam Hamilton’s amendment and their reasoning was that churches that were, I guess I’ll say less-than-reconciling, are doing just fine so we don’t need to change any wording.  Really?  Do you really think we are asking for a change because we’re worried about getting butts in the pews?  We could have a church with 10,000 members, but if there are still people who are outcasts we are not doing our mission.  This isn’t about numbers; it’s about loving people.

Loving people.  That seems so easy.  But as I’m listening I am missing the love.

2.  That which divides us is far deeper than I ever thought.  Our denomination is so vastly different, that with this huge issue I am surprised we wouldn’t agree to disagree.  Now this wouldn’t work for everything, but with something that we have argued about for so long, I just don’t understand.

I am frustrated.  I am angry.  Why stay in a church with which I disagree?  I really just don’t have an answer.  Maybe that’s how many young people feel?

Photo Credit: Taken by Patrick Scriven