Dear friends,
One of the reports which this year’s Methodist Conference (27 June—4 July) was due to consider was a report from the ‘Marriage and Relationships Task Group’. The report considers a range of issues relating to marriage, relationships and sexuality. It is clear that the matters which the report addresses are very important. It is equally apparent that people within church life hold some widely contrasting viewpoints. We do need to pray earnestly that God will guide the Methodist Church through these ongoing discussions and that as a Church we may understand God’s will for us and be obedient to it.
One of my concerns is that because people hold such divergent and apparently irreconcilable views on issues relating to marriage and relationships, the Church could find itself polarised, perhaps even in a way such as we have seen in our nation on the Brexit issue. The question is, do we have the maturity and character to be able to disagree and work through our differences in a way which reflects the character of Christ?
We have seen in the Brexit debate in particular, but also in relation to many other areas of life, how violent and abusive comments fly about with little discrimination. It seems that people have become increasingly intolerant of opposing views, and rather than engaging in calm debate on issues, people feel free to throw judgemental accusations at one another. One of the questions asked recently on BBC’s Question Time programme was, “Why is everyone so angry about everything all the time?” It sometimes seems like that is the case! The voice of calm reason appears almost silent.
I was pleased, therefore, to read a recent post on Twitter by Annunziata Rees-Mogg (one of our newly elected MEPs). She made the comment in relation to a parliamentary candidate from another political party who has been widely and vociferously condemned for an action some time ago. Rees-Mogg commented, “We all make mistakes, have compassion. We all have opinions, listen. We are fallible, be kind.” If only we as a society could take those words on board!
Interestingly, in response to the Question Time question, MP Barry Gardiner made the point that many people have become so consumed with their own rights and what they feel is owed to them, that they have overlooked their duties and responsibilities. They ask, “what can I get out of it?”, but fail to ask “what can I contribute?” Didn’t Jesus himself say, ‘It is better to give than to receive’’? Like Rees-Mogg, Gardiner also called for more kindness in our treatment of each other. Kindness is one of the fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul in Galatians 5.22&23. Let us all pray that in the life of the Church and in society in general we may find the ability to display maturity, understanding and kindness, even where we strongly disagree.
With love,
Steve
One of the reports which this year’s Methodist Conference (27 June—4 July) was due to consider was a report from the ‘Marriage and Relationships Task Group’. The report considers a range of issues relating to marriage, relationships and sexuality. It is clear that the matters which the report addresses are very important. It is equally apparent that people within church life hold some widely contrasting viewpoints. We do need to pray earnestly that God will guide the Methodist Church through these ongoing discussions and that as a Church we may understand God’s will for us and be obedient to it.
One of my concerns is that because people hold such divergent and apparently irreconcilable views on issues relating to marriage and relationships, the Church could find itself polarised, perhaps even in a way such as we have seen in our nation on the Brexit issue. The question is, do we have the maturity and character to be able to disagree and work through our differences in a way which reflects the character of Christ?
We have seen in the Brexit debate in particular, but also in relation to many other areas of life, how violent and abusive comments fly about with little discrimination. It seems that people have become increasingly intolerant of opposing views, and rather than engaging in calm debate on issues, people feel free to throw judgemental accusations at one another. One of the questions asked recently on BBC’s Question Time programme was, “Why is everyone so angry about everything all the time?” It sometimes seems like that is the case! The voice of calm reason appears almost silent.
I was pleased, therefore, to read a recent post on Twitter by Annunziata Rees-Mogg (one of our newly elected MEPs). She made the comment in relation to a parliamentary candidate from another political party who has been widely and vociferously condemned for an action some time ago. Rees-Mogg commented, “We all make mistakes, have compassion. We all have opinions, listen. We are fallible, be kind.” If only we as a society could take those words on board!
Interestingly, in response to the Question Time question, MP Barry Gardiner made the point that many people have become so consumed with their own rights and what they feel is owed to them, that they have overlooked their duties and responsibilities. They ask, “what can I get out of it?”, but fail to ask “what can I contribute?” Didn’t Jesus himself say, ‘It is better to give than to receive’’? Like Rees-Mogg, Gardiner also called for more kindness in our treatment of each other. Kindness is one of the fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul in Galatians 5.22&23. Let us all pray that in the life of the Church and in society in general we may find the ability to display maturity, understanding and kindness, even where we strongly disagree.
With love,
Steve
