Reflections on "Reflections From General Conference"
HIs commitment and service to the Methodist now United Methodist Church is known
throughout the world. He has authored over 40 books, and his honors go on and on.
Some of us know his, "The Workbook of Living Prayer" that has sold more than a
million copies. We are aware of his role in establishing the "Walk to Emmaus."
He, for 12 years was Pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis. He
served as President of Asbury Theological Seminary, He is in the Foundation of
Evangelism's Hall of Fame. There is so much more that could be written about
the significant ministry of Maxie Dunnam. Even by those who are in disagreement
with him on one issue or more.
I am in disagreement with him on the role he has played in the insertion and maintaining
of language and legislation in our Book of Discipline that I believe contradicts other
words that affirm, "the sacredness of persons". This contradiction is much like the
contradiction that those of us who were African American * members of the racially
segregated Methodist Church experienced. We too, were persons of "sacred worth",
but most of us were "unworthy" of being full participants in the Jurisdictional structure of
the former Methodist Church. The reasons for the "why" blacks were segregated in
the Methodist Church have some similarities to the "why" Lesbians and Gay men
and same sex couples since 1972, have been the subjects of condemnatory Book
of Discipline language and legtslation in The United Methodist Church.
But disagreements must never keep us from paying attention and "listening" to,
Maxie Dunnam, or any other person with whom we disagree.
Dr. Dunnam in his posted "Reflections From General Conference" has written this; "In
all my years attending General Conference, I have never experienced such a level of
distrust among us. A large portion of this distrust seems to be focused on leadership,
our bishops and our program bodies."
41 years ago, Abingdon Press published a book written by J. Garfield Owens a friend
of my preacher father, also of Ira B. ("I B") Loud who followed my father at St. Paul Church
in Dallas, and known by many other clergy and lay people of the Central Jurisdiction.
The book: "ALL GOD'S CHILLUN, Meditations on Negro Spirituals". Among the Spirituals
that Owens writes about is one that is a bit unfamiliar to me; "You Goin' to Reap Just What
You Sow". The text Owens used to "ground" this Spiritual is; "Be not deceived; God is
not mocked: for whatsoever a (man) soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
J. Garfield Owens in his chapter on this Spiritual, includes what he calls; "...the following
little verse, whose author is unknown..." that was given to him by his friend, Dr. I.B.Loud;
"He who does God's work will draw God's pay, However long may seem the day;
However weary is the way, Though captains and kings thunder nay! God does not pay
as others pay, in silver, gold and raiments gay, but God's high wisdom knows the way.
And this is sure - let come what may, If you do God's work, you will draw God's pay."
Dr. Maxie Dunnam of course, has not known first hand, the history of slavery, segregation
and separation that blacks have known in church and society. However, I wonder if he has
been able to comprehend and understand how the race-based attitudes and actions that
African Americans who left the Methodist Church to form their own denominations, and
those who remained within the Methodist Church faced, that could have fostered "distrust"
not only of Methodism, but of Christianity as well?
I was asked in 1971 by Graded Press to write a study book for black young people that
was titled; "Can Blacks Be Christian?" The title was inspired by a black young person
who in a discussion group raised this question as a response to the Church-based
racial insensitivity, discrimination and racism that he saw and experienced. I sought
in the Study Book to give witness to my Christian faith that was sustained as much by my
involvement in the Civil Rights Movement as by my involvement in The United Methodist
Church.
My response to Dr. Dunnam's "distrust" comment comes in the form of what is almost
a mantra for me. Each time, and there have been and are many times, I repeat these
words for my own hearing and internalization: "Each time I point one finger of blame at
others, I am pointing three at myself."
Would it be helpful and healing if all of us who from the inside and the outside seek to
shape The United Methodist Church, uttered collectively, the words of Pogo; "We have
met the enemy and (it) is us"?
J. Garfield Owens has written these words for me, for Maxie Dunnam and for all of us who
were deeply disappointed by the plenary sessions and the actions of the 2012 General
Conference. Our disappointments may not have been shaped by the the same General
Conference attitudes and actions, but these disappointments may enable and empower
us to transform The United Methodist Church, if we are serious about the "transformation
of the world".
"Though the light of slavery was so dark and long and the day of freedom so
hesitant in coming, the slaves could endure, for they believed that they were sowing
under the guidance of God. Someday they would reap a blessed harvest."
We must ask have I, have we, been "sowing under the guidance of God"? If so the harvest
will come.
Gil Caldwell
Asbury Park, NJ
* Iliff School of Theology/Denver, has developed a Diversities Strategic Plan. The third
component of that Plan is; "We are building community by ensuring we are living into
our diversity commitment, diversifying our curriculum and co-curriculum, inviting 'the
other', the stranger, and our neighbor, to the table."
I seek in my writing and my living to "universalize" the African American experience in
church and society. This is my way of responding to those who ask the question, "Can
anything good, (universal) come out of the African American experience?" I do this to
encourage The United Methodist Church to "live into our diversity commitment".
There is much that we have not yet internalized as a denomination that can be "learned"
from the African American journey, regardless of where we fit from left to right/right to left
on any continuum. The General Conference of 2012 that prompted disappointment in
many and "distrust" in some, might encourage and energize us to hear, heed and be
helped by the African American journey of trials, tribulations and triumphs, as never before.
