This afternoon I read a post about a proposal to have a 'closed 2016 General Conference' when the United Methodist Church gathers for its global meeting. It seems the 2012 General Coference got a little too messy for some folks. Disruptions and unexpected challenges to the 'schedule' have led some to seek a way to keep the 'unwanted' out. This strikes me as very odd for a Church whose theme has been "Open Doors, Open Hearts."
I want to compare that proposal to what I observed sitting in a really messy room this afternoon. I was at my cable company's office. Only the bravest of the brave dare enter such a den of human emotion. Can you believe parents letting their children crawl around, stand and shout, drool, and approach you like you want to talk to them! I saw people waiting (me too) clutching their 'number' praying someone got frustrated and left so we would not have to wait so long. I watched people argue, challenge, perhaps even mildly threaten the 3 women behind the counter. Grumbling, rumbling, and looks of defeat or anger moved from face to face. The one thing we had in common was we wanted to say something about the service we were getting.
NOW let's give a cheer and credit to those 3 women. They patiently dealt with each one of us. They listened even when they knew we were not right. They smiled and showed respect to each person. That is the spirit of hospitality! It would have been so much easier to have a 'closed' setting where they could control the number of people, determine who to talk with and who to ignore. BUT life is messy and sometimes getting done what needs to be done requires us to roll up our sleeves and wade into the mess.
When we see disruption, not as a possibility for hearing others, but as an obstacle to doing the business of the church then we have no business to do. Closing doors sends a chilling message. Prayerfully we will see our delegates be willing to roll up their sleeves, listen to all, and together move the vision of being a church for all forward. If we are not certain how to do this then I can provide the planning committee with the names of 3 women who can teach us.
