Message from the Mission Center President

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Last updated 8/29/10

 

I recently was in conversation with a woman from within the mission center. She referred to people she loved and respected who are supportive of changing the church’s policy on homosexuality. She also referred to people who were opposed to such a change. She herself sited scripture that seemed to her to say homosexual marriage is not God’s will. She ended the conversation in fear, fear that people she loved would be hurt, fear that she herself would be hurt, fear that the church might make a serious mistake.

 

Not long prior to that I was in a similar conversation with a couple who could see both sides of the issue and were frankly not ready to commit to a decision. They said that they really didn’t anticipate much change in people’s opinion over the next two years, even though they supported the conversation.

 

I have been praying about this. I could tell you what I think is the correct way to go, but that would only convince you if you already agreed with me. I could even preface my telling you with some variation of, “Thus sayeth the Spirit,” but again that would only carry the weight of God’s direction if you agreed with it.

 

Let me draw your attention to the process the church in engaged in for the coming two years. Yes, it is a time of conversation and dialog. Yes, it is a time for not only sharing personal beliefs and stories, but listening to other’s beliefs and stories. That is where we mostly end the process, but that is really only a very small part of it. We are not called to decide this issue! We are called to Discern the issue. Carolyn Brock refers to a process she calls Holy Indifference. This process is time spent with God. It openly admits my current understanding and bias, whatever that may be. After that, I put this aside, very intentionally admitting to myself and to God that I am human and subject to limited understanding. I ask God to share with me what the Divine Will is in this matter.

 

This process may take the entire two years ahead of us. In attempting to listen to God, I force myself to prayerfully re-examine arguments that support my pre-existing belief and even more importantly, I force myself to examine arguments that support alternate understanding. I take time to pray and quietly ask God to direct my understanding. I am willing to live in the tension of no decision for this time. I remember the direction of former president/prophet Wallace B. Smith when he said that God speaks most clearly to the prepared mind, but not on human demand. That insight may come in ways that I don’t anticipate, and it certainly may come at times I don’t expect. It takes integrity of the soul to be willing to let God lead, even if that means leading in directions we don’t anticipate nor control.

 

I pray God’s direction for each of you, my people, my friends.

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Bruce Darrington

Rio Grande MCP/MCFO