Amnesia
A recent survey indicates United Methodists suffer from schizophrenia.
Some 60 percent accept same-gender attraction as a legitimate form of human sexual expression and 32 percent believe that homosexual attraction should be discouraged. Forty-nine percent favor same-sex marriages while 43 percent oppose them. Forty-five percent identify themselves as conservative, but 58 percent say they support legal abortion in all or most cases, while 38 percent want to make abortion illegal in most instances.
We don’t suffer from schizophrenia. We suffer from amnesia.
We have forgotten to whom we belong.
We belong to the human family. Our faith community has varying theologies and world views, but it is one of the most inclusive. Others struggle in homogeneity, but this church stretches through dialogue and debate.
We belong to a Wesleyan church. The use of Scripture, tradition, reason and experience offer thinking people a splendid way to use all of God’s gifts.
We belong to the Jesus of history. This church embodies the great commandment to love God and neighbor. Others have bumper-sticker answers to complex justice issues, but this denomination takes the incarnation seriously. It applies Christian ethics to the toughest social issues and treats causes as well as symptoms.
We belong to the resurrected Christ. This communion is not locked in the past. Members know that “new occasions teach new duties and time make ancient good uncouth.” A risen Christ brings gifts of change and renewal.
I trust delegates to the 2016 General Conference will remember we belong to the human family, the Wesleyan church, the Jesus of history and the resurrected Christ,
If we treat our amnesia, the indications of schizophrenia won’t be that important.
The Rev. Rich Peck is a retired clergy member of the New York Annual Conference who has been a staff member of 12 General Conferences, including four as editor of the Daily Christian Advocate, the event's official journal.