Roy’s Ramblings

This past week the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church sent out a pastoral letter to everyone focusing on what it means to be United Methodist in this uncertain world, and to relate that to what we do and how we live out our membership vows. (If you want a copy of that letter, simply ask or find it on the church Facebook page). So, with that happening, and since we are finishing up our Stewardship Sermon Series this week (Risk Taking Mission and Service), and since we talked about money and our yearly pledge cards last week (they are still available in the back of the church) – I felt that my reading/study time this week could be a little lighter and more enjoyable. So I turned to Phillip Gully.

Phillip Gully is a Quaker pastor I know from Danville IN who preaches and writes in a more progressive style and is one of my favorite authors as well as one of my favorite people. His writing always inspires me … always informs me … always calms me. And after all of the happenings in the past couple of weeks … I needed all of that.

The book I chose to re-read this time was “If the Church were Christian: Rediscovering The Values of Jesus” a paragraph that spoke out to me says something like this: If someone describes their faith to you, with words or actions, listen closely for it will give true insight into their lives, their values and even their priorities. Phil talks about there being approximately 39,000 different denominations of Christianity in the world – and so most of us have different views or angles to our faith. (Is it any wonder why it is so hard us to agree 100% with … well … anything?) But this is what spoke to me the loudest last night after a week of meetings, hard decisions, lots of people time, and even some bad news … maybe it will speak to you as well. Words from Phil:

If the Church Were Christian:

1 Jesus Would Be a Model for Living Rather Than an Object of Worship

2 Affirming Our Potential Would Be More Important Than Condemning Our Brokenness

3 Reconciliation Would Be Valued over Judgment

4 Gracious Behavior Would Be More Important Than Right Belief

5 Inviting Questions Would Be Valued More Than Supplying Answers

6 Encouraging Personal Exploration Would Be More Important Than Communal Uniformity

7 Meeting Needs Would Be More Important Than Maintaining Institutions

8 Peace Would Be More Important Than Power

9 It Would Care More About Love and Less About Sex

10 This Life Would Be More Important Than the Afterlife

-Philip Gulley – “If the Church were Christian: Rediscovering The Values of Jesus”

Just Something to Ponder – Blessings -Pastor Roy