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Bishops stress commitment to unity, moving church forward

Sep. 9, 2005

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org

By Kevin Rippin*

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) - Seven United Methodist bishops from across
the United States discussed issues surrounding leadership, dialogue,
homosexuality and other topics during a forum at a controversial church
caucus event.

The bishops emphasized their intention to work for unity in the church.
During a panel discussion, they were asked how they should deal with
divisions in their own ranks.

"In this (most recent) class of bishops, we will be bishops of the whole
church," said Bishop John Schol of the Washington (D.C.) Area. "We are
here (at this event) because we are truly committed to working
together...."

"(It's important) to be part of a group to move the church forward and
commit ... to model how we live in community," said Minnesota Bishop
Sally Dyck, who led the panel discussion.

More than 550 people attended "Hearts On Fire," the 8th National
Reconciling Convocation event, held Sept. 2-5 by the Reconciling
Ministries Network. The unofficial United Methodist caucus is, according
to its own mission statement, "a national grass-roots organization that
exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations
and gender identities" in the life of the church.

Some Christian and United Methodist organizations had objected to
Reconciling Ministries' use of the Lake Junaluska facility, "a United
Methodist retreat and conference center" because of the group's position
on homosexuality. Those attending the gathering were met at the lake's
entrances by heavy security and protesters, including the White Knights
of the Ku Klux Klan.

Bishops participating in a Sept. 3 plenary were Minerva Carcaño,
leader of the church's Phoenix Area; Sally Dyck, Minnesota Area; Scott
Jones, Kansas Area; Susan Morrison, Albany (N.Y.) Area; John Schol,
Washington Area; Melvin Talbert, retired bishop and executive director
of Black Methodists for Church Renewal; and Richard Wilke, retired.

Wilke kicked off the first segment of the plenary by exploring the
Jerusalem Conference, described in Acts 15, as a model for Christian
discernment and dialogue. He stated that, according to Scripture,
controversy has always been a part of the church.

He held mock dialogues with Peter, Paul and Luke as if they were
contemporaries, and asked how they might deal with today's controversies
in the church, including the homosexuality issue. With each voice
rendered, Wilke uncovered the points of view of the early church
personalities that mirrored the voices in the church today. He pointed
out the infighting among Paul, James, Barnabas, Peter and Luke concerned
law vs. its application, hypocrisy, Christian action and direction of
the church.

A second segment of the plenary featured bishops on stage for questions
and answers. Dyck, moderator, asked if the bishops had words of hope
concerning the controversy.

"Don't let anyone take your church away," Talbert said. "It's your
church, too."

Jones, Morrison and Carcaño said the controversy was a generational
issue that time would solve.

"How do we stay together despite the divisions in our church?" Dyck
asked.

Schol responded by saying, "One of our biggest fears is conflict. ...
Affirm that there's going to be conflict ... and we can work through
it."

Dyck followed up on that question by asking, "How do we pastor and
relate to those we serve?"

Talbert responded: "There's room for both reconciling and transforming
congregations. We have to consistently say that." Transforming
Congregations is another church caucus that believes the practice of
homosexuality is a sin and that gays can be "transformed" through the
grace of Christ.

Dyck next asked about the prophetic role of the bishops in all matters
that occur in the church.

"The prophetic role in this day and age is to remind us who we are. ...
It's all about Christ," Jones said.

Morrison took another angle: "I'm a child of the '60s in a 1940s job. I
thought (it might be possible) to dialogue in a leadership role."

A listening post followed the panel discussion.

The controversy surrounding the conference did not create security
problems, according to Buddy Young, director of residential services for
Lake Junaluska. Security was enforced for the Labor Day weekend. "We had
cooperation from the Sheriff's Department and state police and extra
security officers from our force. We did our best to maintain the
traffic coming in and out of the Lake and throughout the weekend, and we
had absolutely no problems."

*Rippin is editor of the United Methodist Church's North Carolina
Christian Advocate newspaper. Cintia Furtado, communications specialist
with the church's Southeastern Jurisdiction, contributed information
from Lake Junaluska staff.

News media contact: Tim Tanton, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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