I stopped by the "pre" General Conference briefings for the United Methodist Church in Fort Worth last week. Boy, mixed feelings.I was actually there for a meeting of UMC communicators who work with a great group, UMR Communications as a publishing partner. My overwhelming impression was how worrisome it is to meet UMC communicators who literally have no exposure to what's going on in the Church (big C) outside of the denomination.
The General Conference is the every four years meeting where denominational polity and policy is argued. It's (unfortunately) a very big, public and publicized event.
It's kind of like your worst nightmare of a big family reunion, where all the relatives you don't like, or are embarassed by, or are angry all show up, and all of the family dirt that no one normally talks about is thrown out on the dining room table.
Oh, and, the media is there.
And they pick up very tiny slices, generally from far edges on both sides, and serve them up as a picture of United Methodism.
I'm not sure this is such a good idea. Sort of like making sausage in public.
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4 comments:
that is disgusting...and interesting all at the same time.
Great post! I think that's a common thing across denominations and churches in general, the idea of not knowing what the Church is doing beyond your own narrow view.
I see my own church stepping beyond it's comfort zone and beyond "the way we've always done it". Also, I'm not afraid to share info that I see or know of with some other leaders of the church and say "hey, look what these guys are doing over there, wouldn't that be cool to try."
There is a lot of value in networking with other churches, both similar and not so similar.
This may be the best description of General Conference I've Ever heard - I spent last General Conference in working 18 hour days processing photo's - It ruined me - And you nailed it!!!
Chuck, just be glad they'll have digital cameras this year!
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