Do We Need a Ticket?

Today, I sit in my conference's Covenant Council for the last time as the youth representative for the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church.

In this meeting, we had a segment focused on the 2012 General Conference led by two of our delegates that we sent. As they started talking, one mentioned that during this conference, there was an amendment made that would allow for a paragraph to be added to the Preamble of Social Principles that would acknowledge that we do not agree on topics of opinion as it relates to social justice issues. This did not pass in a regular session, but instead through the Legislative Committee.

Naturally, there was opposition. The minority put together a report, which went through many changes, which emphasized that "our beliefs and practices can separate us from a loving relationship with God. After many changes, there was eventually a decision to say that nothing can separate us from the love and grace of God. This only got a 56% support vote. (just for reference, I did skip some things that happened in this process, but I wanted to keep this short.)

Which confused me. Not the whole process, but that only 56% of the delegates voted that God's grace was for everyone.

I mean, are we saying that we need a ticket for God's grace? "Please show your tickets! No grace without a ticket! Oh you don't have one? Goodbye!"
Or should we go through life waiting by the mailbox for that acceptance letter to God's love?

I don't think so.

Because I have never seen that in the Bible. In Romans 3:24, Paul even explains that God's grace is given to all of his children.

To call ourselves people of the United Methodist denomination, we must fully live out our mission statement: Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. God's grace cannot be determined by us, it's his/hers to give. We must accept all people just as God does.

With  acceptance, comes understanding. With understanding comes communication. With communication, comes growth. If we want to GROW, let's rethink how we do things.

So just as I have been doing, I will give you another challenge. Today, look at one person, and let them know that they have God's grace. Don't worry, I'm not telling you to run around the mall screaming, "God's love is for you, and you, and YOU!" I mean, if you do, all the more power to you. But just give them a hug, pay for their meal without telling, hold open the door for them. Maybe sit and talk to the person eating alone, or even help someone carry their groceries to their car. It's those random acts of kindness that really amplify the love of God.

I hope to hear the great things you all are doing!

And, I must add: Lord, in your loving mercy, hear my prayer.

The Power of Listening

At General Conference this past month, there were many crude, inappropriate, and I may even venture to say, ignorant comments directed toward the LGBT community. And this makes me sad. Not just because I know that those words are very hurtful toward many people in the church, but because that is not what God calls us to do. Yeah, I'm only 18. I don't know what the "truth" is, I still have so many unanswered questions, and I, obviously, am not God, but through my years of church-going, I know that hate, especially in the name of our loving God, is not right. 

I know, it's hard to accept a different side of things, but has God called us to cause chaos trying to put the other side in their place? 

During my Sophomore and Junior years of high school, I was in an honors/AP history class. In this class, we were encouraged to debate our views on many things, including abortion, gay marriage, war and so on. Although there were some people that agreed with me on my liberal views, living in a conservative area did not allow for many allies in this battle zone of a class. And this class, I swear, was like a battle field. On some days, there would be people screaming at one another, others would be crying from offensive comments, and everyone would leave the room displeased. This class was always filled with tension, and even caused some people not to talk to each other.

One day, I sat down with one of the people that disagreed with me. To be honest, I was not his biggest fan, just because of some of the comments he would make during the debates, and was reluctant to talk to him about our stances on some issues. Regardless, I decided that it would be very rude not to talk with him. Half way through the conversation, we started to veer off the subject of gay marriage, and started talking about things such as music, sports and what we like to do in our free time. By the end of the conversation, I didn't even realize that I was sitting across the table at Starbucks with someone I used to not be fond of. Then, Stephen became one of my greatest friends.

And then it clicked. Why did I, dare I say it, hate him? Because we had different views? Because we disagreed on issues? 

Probably. 

Which is wrong. I would always preach about loving one another and accepting other views and open mindedness, and I couldn't even be friends with someone who disagreed with me. 

Now, I must explain why I told you this story. With all the nasty comments that came from General Conference, there has been much talk. And honestly, it hasn't been all nice. What we should be doing is sitting down with people who we don't agree with, who have said those nasty comments, and ask them WHY they believe what they do. I'm not saying that you must agree with them, but sometimes sitting and talking can make both come to a realization that we all have different views, that we are all entitled to our own opinion. If what we are looking for is peace in our denomination, we must start with listening.

Then with peace, comes acceptance. And acceptance brings change.

So today, I give you a new challenge. This week, sit down with one person that you know that doesn't have the same views as you. Buy them some coffee. Then just talk. Ask them why they have their views. And listen. Nothing is more powerful than listening.

Who knows, you could become best friends.

If we want to continue to grow as a church, we MUST listen to each other. All this talk about who is right and who is wrong is not Christian-like. It doesn't grow our church. It just causes more tension. Which is turn, causes people to leave.

Let's be the light God intended us to be. 

Let's be the Love.  

This is the beginning of change, and it all starts with you.

And may I end with this: Lord, in your loving and bountiful mercy, hear my prayer.

John 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Carpe Diem

It is astounding to think that this blog has gotten over 200 page views in under 24 hours. To all who have shared, liked or read this blog- Thank you. It is a true blessing.

So today at school, I had someone confront me about this blog. It was made clear to me that this person did not believe that what I am doing is going to be effective. My response: "Carpe Diem."

(Let me add that this person is a great person and is a friend of mine. I do not believe that this person is a bad person in any way.)

Looking confused, they walked away without response.

Why did I say that, you may ask? It's simple. What I am doing here is 'seizing the day'. I am taking what time I have, and am making the best of it. I am hopeful that I will make change, but I can't do it without you.

So today, I give you a challenge. This challenge is not exclusively for the LGBT community, not for youth and young adults, not for pastors, but for EVERYONE. Today, I challenge you to talk about the United Methodist Church.

And I don't mean talking about our system, how it works, or who preaches at your church Sunday morning. I mean, talk about what is going on!! Bring up the social issues of the LGBT community receiving equal rights in your church charge conference meetings, bring it up at your potlucks, bring it up in your Covenant Councils, bring it up in your Sunday school classes! But also, bring it up to the non-Methodists, the barista at the coffee shop, the person doing your hair... just anyone!! Show them that we ARE making a change. We want to have a change. We need it.

I know, it sounds crazy to talk about, but we need to start the conversation. Without conversation, we can't spread the word of equality. If we want to see change at the next General Conference in four years, we must start now. And it starts with you, my friend. So, begin the conversation!

Good luck, brothers and sisters in Christ.

And remember, Carpe Diem.

Today, we fight.

Over the past few days, I have given a lot of thought on the United Methodist Churches' General Conference. For those of you who don't know, the United Methodist Church currently does not allow people who classify themselves as gay to become ordained ministers. I do not agree with this. Not because I am gay (which I am not), but because I KNOW that God loves everyone. If anyone should judge, it should be God. Not us. 

 As a youth, well now young adult, I know that my voice is not always heard. Many people of the older generation act as if that my voice is wrong, or even invalid. So that is why I'm starting this blog. I don't care how many people follow it, read it or talk about it. But I want all youth to know that their voice- their one thing that they can call their own- is as valid as it gets. 

I know that many people my age are leaving the church. Honestly, I thought about it too. After praying for many days I realized that all my greatest memories are from the church. I have met wonderful people, have been given amazing opportunities, gone places I never thought I would, and have grown spiritually. 

So I decided to stay. And fight.

Because what can be more impacting then standing up for what you believe in. Martin Luther King Jr. didn't just think about civil rights, he preached them! Harvey Milk didn't sit and watch people who are gay be discriminated against, he fought for their acceptance. And that is what I'm going to do. I'm going to speak out against the bashing. I will not give up until equality is reached. 

But to the older generations of the United Methodist Church, to the people who are using hurtful language against the LGBT community, do you not understand that young people are leaving the church?! We sit in the pews every Sunday and question why there are only 5 people under the age of 50 in a church of 100+ people. Now do you understand?

I will be continuing this blog until justice is done.