Church, You Can Do Better

    Church, the title says it all. You can do better. We need to do better. We need to learn how to disagree with each other in love. And the back biting has to stop.
    I'm a self-proclaimed church-nerd. I've been that way for as long as I can remember. I've been disappointed that I haven't been able to watch more of General Conference online, but my schedule last week prohibited it. Yet, at the same time, General Conference has deeply disappointed me this year - legislation aside - because of how United Methodists are treating each other, both in person at General Conference and online. It has been sickening to my heart. One of my wonderful colleagues suggested watching worship in full-screen mode in order to avoid the back-biting on twitter. And that is exactly what it is, back-biting. Not informed conversation with one another. Not holy conferencing. Back-biting.
    Friends, here are some general rules to consider when joining the conversation about issues via twitter or Facebook:
- Do not speak ill of your bishops. Period. We believe that they are called to the office of bishop and are the presiding officers of conferences, like this one. Just don't do it.
- It's okay to disagree, but disagree in love. Here's the dirty little secret about what you post - other people can see it, including people outside of the church. And when non-Christians see what you post, even if you think you are right and passionate, and it isn't said in love, they are not going to be any more eager to come and worship and know Jesus Christ.
- Its okay to quote pieces of conversation, especially if they are meaningful to you, but remember when you reply that it is only one piece - 160 characters or less - of a much larger address. Read the whole sermon and address before attacking someone for a quote they lifted up from it.
- Do not dehumanize either side of the argument. We are all part of one family, one church. We need to learn how to live with one another with Christ as the head, and that becomes insurmountably harder when we villianize each other for taking different stances.
    As for in person - reports are coming out of General Conference that the secretary had to remind delegates not to attack each other or non-delegates. Do we really need that reminder? Apparently so. That is not acceptable on any level. That is not being the church on any level. You will find nothing in what we believe as Christians and as United Methodists that would make this okay. Further, there are other reports coming out of General Conference of how badly some of those in attendance are treating locals - including conference, hotel, and restaurant staff. I know tensions are high. I know people are tired. But this is no excuse to treat local people poorly. When even a few engage in this poor behavior it gives us a bad name as a church - so I plead with you to think before you speak or act for you don't know who is watching.
    Dear Church, you can do better. You need to do better. Because the last thing we need is for General Conference to be a stumbling block for people outside of the church from coming to know about the love of Jesus Christ because of our behavior and words. Let's try to do better this week.