I’ve been reading occasional posts by Jeremy, who writes the blog Hacking Christianity. He frequently writes about the United Methodist Church and the issues around the gay travails the denomination is going through, particularly the last couple years. His recent post takes a look at the Clergy Covenant.
When a pastor allegedly violates one of the homosexual restrictions of the denomination’s Book of Discipline and is brought up on charges, one of the charges us usually that the pastor violated the Clergy Covenant.
Jeremy asks is the only time you’re worried about the Clergy Covenant is when you can wield it against someone else? Or do you actually try to get to know your fellow pastors, especially those from tiny churches or those of other races or those who are more progressive or conservative? Do you actually care for and care about these other pastors? Do you pay attention to what they say? Do you support each other?
If you don’t you’re not really practicing Clergy Covenant. You’re only wielding the term as a weapon.
In another post Jeremy compares the public park with the country club. The park has features that draw people in – the playground, the sports grass, the picnic tables, the fountain. Keep these features strong and people will come.
In contrast the country club has limited membership (usually expensive) and fences.
What kind of church are you? Are you defined by what draws others in or are you defined by what divides and separates?
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