Taking My Turn

 

  
At this week’s Conference Connectional Network meeting about 30 people showed up. That’s pretty good. But when you have that many people at a meeting, you can count on one thing – not everyone will agree.
 
That was the case on Monday night. A debate arose near the end of the meeting between two members who made an observation and raised a concern and two others who took issue with that observation. Comments were shared in a transparent fashion, while most everyone else sat somewhat paralyzed. After wading through the discussion, there was no resolution was found, but we did reach a point where we could end the meeting in peace.
 
The next morning two very inspiring things happened.  I received a phone call and an e-mail from the two people who had raised the concern the night before. Even though I was not involved in the conversation, these two persons called and wrote to acknowledge the inappropriate way they raised their concern and to apologize for it.
 
I hung up the phone, clicked off the internet and bowed in prayer. My prayer was one of thanksgiving and joy. It was one of those wonderful times when disagreement led to a positive outcome. Even though I didn’t need an apology from either person, I deeply appreciated the genuine spirit in which they shared and the desire they both expressed for the unity of the body even in the midst of comments that had hurt and alienated others. It was a signal to me that we are all in this together and a sign of the progress we are making as the body of Christ in this Annual Conference.
 
Now it’s my turn.
 
Word came to me this week that some people have been offended by an illustration I have used in my fall Bishop’s Nights on the District. The story I have been telling is a shocking one, to be sure. I shared it to make a point about how important it is for us to have a consistent witness in our faith. It’s a story about a former parishioner of mine who had a tendency to tell jokes that demean African-Americans. He fondly identified the jokes with a derogatory reference that I used in telling the story. I used that word to get people’s attention and to highlight the severity of the issue.
 
What I didn’t estimate was the degree to which that reference has hurt the African- Americans in attendance at my presentations, even though I was using it to relay a powerful story about the need to not be racist. In my white, privileged life, I was not sensitive enough to anticipate the feelings of hurt and discomfort caused to others. What I intended was to build up the body with a powerful illustration. What I have done is tear it down with a word that has hurt someone else. I have since re-worded that illustration and corrected my error for the remainder of my five district nights.
 
All of that is to say, I need to take my turn. I am sorry and I ask for your forgiveness.
 
No one is immune to causing hurt. It happens with all of us. But that’s no excuse, really. Our call as Christians is to constantly work for a sensitivity that will respect everyone and show dignity to all.
 
I hope that this apology sends the same signal that I received earlier in the week from the persons who asked forgiveness for their actions – a signal that we are all in this together and a sign of the progress we are making as the body of Christ.
 
With the grace of God and the forgiveness of those who may have been hurt, may it be so.
 
The Journey Continues, . . .

By: Bishop Thomas Bickerton On 10/30/2009