Reader Responses - General Conference Behavior

Written by Readers Wednesday, 20 October 2010 23:27

Readers responsed to Bishop Whitfield's thoughts on General Conference Behavior. To offer your response, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Your words will be forwarded to the Bishop.

Dear Bishop,

Thank you so much for your thoughts, and concerns for General Conference.  I have printed several copies of your letter, and plan to share it with the Mission Team of UMW tomorrow evening in Artesia.

I wish your concerns weren't true, but I am afraid that they are true in most groups within our churches all across the country, as well as our Conferences.  People seem to put themselves, their needs, and wants first. We need to have a way of reminding each other---"What Would Jesus Do? 

At Assembly of the UMW in St. Louis this past April they had a walk for "Immigration Rights" and I am not sure that any of the New Mexico delegates participated, because we experience the ugly issues of immigration here in the border and we struggle with the problems in our school systems.  There were 8,800 people in attendance at Assembly, and only 2,500 participated in that activity.   Yet, when it came to bringing Prayer Shawls and Baby Blankets to be sent to missions around the world there were thousands that were blessed in the churches and brought to assembly. 

Tomorrow afternoon the first Committee of the day is that of Racial Justice and, as President, I am the Chairman.  We will discuss what divides us, and how we can see Christ's image in others.  I always have a time coming up with a way to introduce the subject and start the conversation, but tomorrow I am using the 3rd Chapter of Malachi where he talks about God being as a refiner of Silver.  I have a friend who is a silversmith and he says the silver is heated, and the impurities removed, and when it is done he can see his image in the silver.

Dyne and I always enjoy your thoughts and really appreciate your sharing.

Now, we are enjoying Randall's thoughts, as he is following in your footsteps and sharing with us each Thursday.  He is truly a blessing to UUMC.

Thank you!

Blessings,  Jo Anne Buckley

Certainly, with the bishop, I share concerns over issues in the 21st century, much as Jesus did as he attempted to make society more thoughtful, more compassionate, more forgiving, more hopeful.

Interestingly, I've always thought Jesus was Christianity's common ground.

Our young soldiers die defending "our" cause and flags are lowered -- is that indeed Jesus' cause? Yet, our Savior died and rose again and Christians continue bickering over the mundane: parades on the 4th of July during worship, words on a coin, "outsiders" entering our country, and yes, American football on the Sabbath.  Yes, there is a huge battle and Christians may be an impetus of adversity because we are not on Jesus' page; we are not, have not provided a solution for spiritual emptiness.

Consumerism? Yes. Laziness? Yes.  Apathy? Yes?  Why?  What is it about "common ground" that scares us?  I pray for peace, that as Christians we all may come together with some common ground. How can we not be together in the name of Jesus?  But  Jesus wanted power too and for awhile was pretty unsuccesful... and that has extended into our times as a negative rather than a positive.  Maybe He lost; maybe we won. I've always thought essentially Jesus won. But why do I feel like a loser?????  What is awry with the church? 

E.Y.Swain

Bishops,

So much for a democratic governing structure. It appears that General Conference is to be modeled more on the House of Lords in the British Parliament than on the House of Representatives within the US Congress. I have always heard that "the General Conference speaks for the Church." It appears that they are entreated to speak for their "collective discernment" regarding many issues that are politically charged, by their very nature.

At this point in time, I am very embarrassed to be called a "United Methodist."

This is a sad day.

Gary Rayson

Lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, but never a "Methodist."

Dear Max,

Thank you for being the Spiritual leader you are. I read carefully the article in the October 8 edition and now the email from Cheryl regarding General Conference. I have noted, since knowing you, that you are the kind of leadership that is needed in the Church. Sometimes, or all too often, it appears to me, that for far too many leaders the administrative part of the office takes precedence over any, and sometimes all, of the spiritual and encouraging pastors and laity to follow Jesus. All of the time I worked with you I admired your leadership and your love of the Lord which was always first. 

These also reminded me of one response I got from lay leadership at Grace, Alamogordo. I was talking with the leadership of the Hunger committee which was a big part of the "ministry" of Grace and suggested that it would be a good thing to put Jesus into the ministry they were doing. The response was: "Jesus has nothing to do with what we're doing!"  I wonder how many churches leave Jesus out of what they are doing and how many pastors fall into that trap.

Thank you for encouraging all of us, and giving us permission to put Jesus into our ministries.

In Christ's Love,

Joe Wood 

Thank you Bishop Max!!!

I already like the NMAC... I agree so many go to GC with a personal agenda or vendetta. It is so refreshing to hear a spiritual leader (Bishop!) speak to the issue and keep us on track. I was so saddened by the actions of persons on both sides of the issues in the media the last couple of GCs. Covering the Sacraments with a black cloth? Breaking a chalice during communion? Articles which are demeaning of other believers? It should not be in the Body of Christ. 

Thank you for your spiritual leadership in times like these. It is appreciated!

Dr. Don Clark, Executive Director, Houchen Community Center 

AMEN!!! & thank you, Brother Bishop, for writing this!!!

in Jesus,

Donald Ward