GC 2020 – Who I am and Who I’m Not
Frank Holbrook 0 GC 2020 , Life in General
I received two e-mails yesterday that resulted in today’s post.
The first e-mail was short and to the point: “Interesting posts. But, who are you?” When I first read the e-mail I wondered if this was sarcasm. E-mails lack inflection, so “But, who are you?” could mean “But, who do you think you are to be offering these opinions?” I decided that the e-mail wasn’t intended as sarcasm and was an honest inquiry to which I should respond.
“Who are you?” is a question we all ask ourself. But it’s never a simple question. I paused for a few minutes before responding. I started to respond by saying “If you want to know who I am read what I’ve written”. Although true, that response sounds pretty sarcastic and it’s very limited. It’s limited, because as I have written frequently, my views are subject to change. As someone who believes in sanctification, I hope the person I am today is not the same person I’ll be tomorrow. I’m not there by a long shot, but I hope I’m going on to perfection.
As I thought about it, I knew I needed to avoid labels to describe myself. I’m contemplating writing an entire post on the dangers of labels. That may or may not happen.
Ultimately I sent the following response: “Retired attorney (practiced 38 years) living in Martin TN. Lifelong Methodist, joined the church before we were “United”. Ups and downs with institutional church but long seeking follower of Christ. Imperfect, but a believer in sanctification. Reader of Francis Schaefer, CS Lewis, NT Wright (not necessarily in that order) and others. Opinionated but trying hard to avoid hubris or offense, asking for grace when I fail. That’s a brief synopsis. If I misunderstood the question, please let me know.” Shortly after hitting the send button I lamented my failure to include John Wesley as someone I read and my devotion to my loving wife as part of who I am, but the send button is an inexorable commitment. I won’t be getting John Wesley’s forgiveness but I’m sure my wife will be gracious with hers. If anyone is asking themself “who does this guy think he is?” that was my short response as of October 16, 2019.
The second e-mail was from a pastor who shared with me some of the challenges facing our denomination as viewed through a pastor’s eyes. It reminded me of “who I’m not”. The e-mail wasn’t accusatory or trying to put me in my place; in fact it was grace filled and it was offered and received as an expression of Christian love. But it reminded me of something I’ve heard several times recently.
I listen to the “Ask NT Wright Anything” podcast. If you’re not familiar with it, the format is straightforward. People e-mail questions that are presented to NT Wright and he responds to the question. From time to time a question is pastoral in nature. When a pastoral question is posed, Wright always comments that a podcast is not a substitute for pastoral counseling. He constantly emphasizes the need for questions to be posed to the clergy charged with pastoring their flock. Whenever I write a post I try to be keenly aware of my limitations; sometimes I fail. My posts are not pastoral in nature. They never can be, I’m not a pastor.
Most of my posts deal with process. The process of General Conference or the process for separating. I’d like to think that such work is that which is recognized in I Corinthians 12:27-28 and described in NT Wright’s translation as “organizational gifts”. Hopefully my posts are viewed as an effort to help insure that everything is “done in a seemly fashion, and in proper order.” I Corinthians 14:40 (NT Wright).
As we prepare for what will happen at GC 2020, doesn’t Jesus admonish us to count the cost? “Don’t you see? Supposing one of you wants to build a tower; what will you do? You will first of all sit down and work out how much it will cost, to see whether you have enough to finish it. Otherwise, when you’ve laid the foundation and then can’t finish it, everyone who sees it will begin to make fun of you. ‘Here’s a fellow,’ they’ll say, ‘who began to build but couldn’t finish!’” Luke 14:28-30 (NT Wright). GC 2020 needs to consider the cost of the tower we may build.
GC 2020 will not perform the mission critical work of the church, it will largely focus on organizing the mission critical work. In one podcast Wright observed that the church is those people among us who say their prayers daily and love one another. As I observe the world around me, I see that the greatest work for the kingdom is being done by clergy and laity who are faithfully praying daily and loving one another. That is the mission critical work of the church.
Despite my posts trying to consider the costs of what GC 2020 will build, both direct and indirect, I always try to remember that the greatest gift is love. The greatest gift is being exhibited daily by our faithful clergy and laity who are praying daily and loving others.
I have faith that God will use the collective gifts of the body that will be GC 2020 to build in love. Nothing is wasted, everything counts.
Come Holy Spirit.
