And Are We Yet Alive?

MEMO for Those Who Preach

by

Sunday, June 2, 2019

"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”Acts 9:4 “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me…? – John 17:20-21

The way I figure, when we meet as the Iowa Annual Conference on June 7, this will be my 63rd Board of Ministry meeting. That includes two years in the North Texas Conference, where I was put “on trial,” as Probation Membership was called back then. So I have been around for a while, and I have seen a thing or two. And this year, as we sing “and are we yet alive,” it causes me to ponder and wonder.

After the struggle to finally allow persons of color and ethnic origin full participation in our fellowship —1968 – and a bit later, to allow women full participation (I remember when my friend, Bishop Judith Craig, was elected), I thought we had arrived! Now, this struggle over full participation of LGBTQ comes along, threatening to destroy our unity. I call this “who-gets-in-and-who-is-kept-out” the Saul Syndrome. As I recall, Saul of Tarsus rode into Damascus confident and determined, breathing threats and armed with a paper to stamp out a little impure group called Christians.

Do you find it strange that someone seems to always need to revive the pecking order? This fight we are having is Saul’s fight. But he saw the light, got a new name, and for the next seventeen years tore down the walls of separation to bring the new creation called Church, the beloved community open to everyone.

Oh, there were fights. Paul had to deal with Simon Peter, who wished to impose tougher rules on the Gentile Christians. I have often thought that the thorn in Paul’s side was Peter. And there were food fights, too (see Romans 15:13 ff). Those differences that threatened the unity of the church look fairly tame today. But, something happened to Saul out on that road that morning (it was more than the blind staggers). The Risen Christ — the one who prayed in the garden, and died that they/we should all be one — asked Saul a question: “Why do you persecute me?”

I read that the re-organized Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon) has decided to allow the gay community full membership, including ordination. Are we going to be the last group to see the light? Well, I hope to be present on June 7 and join with colleagues in singing “And are we yet alive?” And I am still hopeful that we are!

“Lord Jesus Christ, help us to look beyond our bias and fears. Strike us blind, that we might see. Indeed, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

The Rev. Bill Cotton of Des Moines, Iowa, is a retired clergy member of the Iowa Annual Conference. He and colleagues produce Memo for Those Who Preach, which is distributed by mail. Click here to subscribe.