No One is Held Captive
Lay Leader Reflections
Over a week ago, the WCA published a blog post that included a picture of Charlton Heston as Moses in the 1956 film The Ten Commandments. Honestly I was appalled for several reasons, not the least of which is that I was kissed by those lips that parted the Red Sea (it’s a great story for another day but the short version is Charlton Heston was doing a book signing at Disney that I helped with and he gave me a peck on the cheek - and yes, Debby knows, she was there and saw it all). Somehow I honestly don’t think “Charlie” would have wanted to be used in this way and I’m finding it hard to think Moses would be happy about it either.
The most appalling piece for me though is the inference being made - that the UMC is holding people hostage, and worse still, as slaves. If I may be so bold, I believe this is an interesting perspective depending on the circumstances. If you are LBGTQ you might see it as the church, and specifically those who are pointing the outreached finger in judgement, as having held you captive for years. Interesting how your viewpoint can change depending on where you sit.
Friends, no one is being held captive in the UMC. Each of us are free to go as we are led or called. Stay if you will or go if you must. However, let it be at the calling of the Holy Spirit and not because someone is trying to influence you to stay UMC or go elsewhere, especially by using cheap theatrics (and by the way, if you’re a movie buff you will recognize the Moses depiction is out of context).
And as for the whole slavery reference, I think it’s offensive to even insinuate slavery as most of us come from a position of privilege. But ok, for the sake of this discussion let’s go there. Do we not all serve the same God? Aren’t all Christians, as the Apostle Paul states, called to be considered slaves (meaning to permanently give ourselves) to Christ? So where in this discussion is one side enslaved differently than the other? Things that make you go hmmmm …
The UMC is one of the most laity involved and participative of Protestant denominations. Imperfect as it may be, in the UMC the process for how churches disaffiliate has been determined by a collective, elected, and appointed body of clergy and laity at General Conference, which is the body who establishes church processes by voice and vote. It is not determined by a maniacal Pharaoh with an axe to grind.
Sadly, this boils down to the material issue of money and property, not about freedom to follow God’s calling. Please don’t confuse the two.
Grace, peace, and the abundant gift of freedom to follow God’s calling,
Alice Williams
Co-Lay Leader, Florida Conference