[RMC News] [2008 General Conference News] Delegate Reflection May 1. Kunle Taiwo

[Strickland, Skip]

[2008 General Conference News] Delegate Reflection May 1.  Kunle Taiwo

The third elected lay delegate, Kunle Taiwo, writes the following remarks.  Kunle is a layman from Denver, Park Hill UMC.  Kunle reflects from Forth Worth, Texas as he is attending the 2008 General Conference:

May 1, 2008 – General Conference Report

My reflections for day 9 of General Conference May 1, 2008
 
As I prepared for General Conference 2008, I was not sure what “Holy Conferencing” would be like for the people called Methodist. Day 9 of General Conference signaled HOPE for the church.  Phil Cardin’s reflection on day 8 reported in detail the slow movement toward “perfection” for the here and now.  Although some may feel disappointed or discouraged, I am very hopeful for the future of our church.  We have made some progress at the 2008 General Conference. 
 
The highlight of the day came when Bishop Thomas Bickerton announced that the Council of Bishops had received and granted a request for a fifteen minute witness on the floor of the plenary session. As it was previously reported, in the center of the plenary room is a communion table crafted out of the remnants of hurricane Katrina.  The witnesses for the inclusion of those left out of our connection, processed in to the assembly.
 
Delegate sympathizers, for full inclusion in the church, rose to their feet in support.  A good number of people were on their feet as the witnesses formed a human cross on the plenary floor singing the song, Jesus Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom.  Many of those standing were in tears.
 
My hope for the future of the church was further heightened when I saw tears of some who did not rise in support of this witness.  Because of this, I’m assured the Holy Spirit is in this place.
 
The not so highlight came when a delegate from the East Angola Central Conference compared full inclusion to “allowing the devil in” to the church.  I was not upset by this comment as some might have been.  This comment points to the opportunity for teaching moments.  If we are to move the church forward, we have to avail ourselves of these opportunities.  Our sisters and brothers in the African Central Conferences seem to be fundamentalists in their understanding of the word.  What an opportunity to engage them, not only in mission work, but, also in theological discussions.  Perhaps we can explore together the meaning of John Wesley’s quadrilateral – scriptures, tradition, reason and experience.  Wesley also calls us to do no harm, do good and stay in love with God. I wonder where we will be as a church if we engage our sisters and brothers in the Central Conferences in these Holy conversations.
 
The real highlight of the day was the speech given by Louise Short, the 102 year old widow of Bishop Roy Short.  She walked to the podium with little or no help to deliver her speech. When she lost her place in the script, she ad-libbed. What a remarkable presence of mind. Speaking of the retirement home where she resides, she stated, “They don’t let us die here”.  She also said, “I may be old, but, I’m not dead”.
 
The United Methodist Church has a great future with hope.  We may be old, but, we are not dead, the Holy Spirit is alive.
 
I am honored to be at General Conference representing all you. We have a way to go on this last day of General Conference 2008. Thank you for your prayers for us and the General Church.

Kunle Taiwo,
Layman, Member of Park Hill UMC.
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