Shuck and Jive


Monday, May 05, 2008

Change Happens

One of the things that keeps me hopeful about the church and keeps me hanging in there and pushing for change is that change does happen. We are not as frozen into categories as we may think (pro-gay or anti-gay). There is a spectrum of ways in which people think about all of these issues.

Individuals move. Progress is made. People change. I received an e-mail the other day from Andy Cullen, who wrote a testimonial for the Covenant Network last fall. His testimony is on page three. I urge you to read it.

Here is a minister who changed his mind. What if the denomination had split before he had changed his mind? He might never have had the opportunity to shift and grow. As much of a drag it is to deal with these debates again and again, we are not as rigid as we may think we are. We do change and grow. The legislative debate creates the context for this change to happen.

To me, there is value in staying together, even if we cannot agree, or even agree to disagree, or whatever. And there is value in continuing to push for change. Some of my progressive colleagues who do wish for inclusion will argue that putting proposals before the GA to remove the AI and G-6.0106b are not worth it because we will lose and it changes no one's mind.

I disagree. We may lose. But you never know until you try. If we lose, so what? I lose far more than I win. I also disagree that no one changes. People do change. They change because they become aware of the issues. It is always good to give the church the opportunity to do justice.

3 comments:

  1. Some fear change. That's the obstacle. I believe there are some omniphobes in the church that simply fear everything.

    Trouble is, Jesus said not to fear. Just have faith.

    Change is healthy. Though I've actually met someone that objected to changing the communion tabs to real bread.
    Go figure.

    Nice to hear about Andy Cullen. He answered the question correctly. The question?
    Same one I always ask conservative Christians....
    "Is your neighbor Gay and have you treated him as you would have him treat you?"

    Obviously, I don't get many answers. Even fewer correct ones.

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  2. John, thanks for the link to Andy Cullen's testimony. I am in awe of him---what an incredibly journey he's taken! To give up his church because he changed his mind...wow.

    Most of us changed our minds because of people we love. We could not square the hateful things we were taught about GLBTs with the beloved child, sibling, parent, or friend that we KNEW. We say the fruits of the Holy Spirit in their lives and realized that Jesus did not lie. "By their fruits you shall know them"...

    How could we hold on to our prejudices after that? But most of us are not required to give up our livelihoods to make that change. May God bless and keep the Reverend Cullen. He is a living example of the power of Jesus Christ to change hearts and lives.

    Pax,
    Doxy

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  3. That should read "SAW the fruits of the Holy Spirit"...

    I should not post before the second cup of caffeine.

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