Why it matters---the Rev. Frank Schaefer trial.

Why it matters

Why does the Frank Schaefer trial matter to us? (Rev. Frank Schaefer had his license suspended for officiating at the same-sex wedding of his son, 7 years ago.)

It matters because as United Methodists the world is watching us.  They are watching us not only on issues of gay marriage but on how we are treating each other as we disagree.

It matters because I love and I mean really LOVE people who disagree with me on this issue.  As the only Democrat in my biological family, I admit I have practice at this (I say this with a smile on my face)

Unfortunately what is published or sticks out about the church is our unloving treatment of each other when we disagree.  God never said we had to like each other or each other's ways...just that we sit at each other's table and try the food and talk.  Respecting each other enough to talk, that is what makes real love so hard. 

1 John 4:14 (in part) says: "God is love. Anyone who leads a life of love shows that he is joined to God. And God is joined to him."  Where love is God is.

It matters because we are a church (United Methodists) who disagree and can't agree that we disagree and so what is lost?  Love. We are no different than the world's solution when we are a "don't ask, don't tell" church or an uncompromising body that comes to a stalemate; setting us up for failure. 

It matters because it is cold outside and gas and fuel are expensive and jobs are limited and while we argue to be a body of one mind-- people are cold and hungry and living on the streets and we may be talking/thinking less about them than this trial. 

It matters because as a pastor I have had to say no to two weddings for gay couples-- one was the wedding of one of my best friend's daughter and the other was for a couple that had been together over 10 years.

             I said no because I am a Martha and for the most part a rule follower, though like Martha I am also a Jesus follower who taught all of us it is sometimes necessary to break the rules.

Saying no denied what I believe to be my call –which is to support and include all God's people in love.  And so while others may not agree with me, it matters that people know this about me and other clergy.

In Dr. Seuss's movie The Lorax, the Lorax asks the Once-ler a rhetorical question-"Which way does a tree fall?—the answer…The way it leans."

This conversation matters because if we lean into each other with love we may actually stop the collapse of this house.