Point of No Return

As of December 2004, we have issued the following news updates on General Conference 2004, Annual Conference and Jurisdictional Conference at NIC VOICE

·         58 General Conference 2004 news updates have been sent (available at http://www.nicvoice.org/GC2004%20Updates.htm).

·         10 Annual Conference news updates were sent (available at http://www.nicvoice.org/AC2004%20Updates.htm) covering all of the Annual Conferences in the US.

·         17 Jurisdictional Conference news updates were sent (available at http://www.nicvoice.org/Judicial%20Council%20Updates.htm).   The 18^th Jurisdictional news update has been sent as of January 1, 2005.

I thought you might be interested in some of the feedback from outside the NIC:

►      Thank you for all you're doing! – Rev. Jamie Ray Westlake, Florida Annual Conference

►      Thanks for being a real voice among us. -- Dennis Redstone. Pastor, Florida Annual Conference

►      Dear Editor,

Once again, thank you for your continuing updates on the fallout from General Conference. (That is the only way I can describe it.) So far, your news sources were the only ones in which I was able to follow the ways in which our bishop, Susan Morrison, brought the weight of her high office to bear in her witness for sanctioning homosexuality.  Nowhere in the Wyoming Annual Conference news or website was there a report on her activities in this regard. Her fearless leadership in braving "near-freezing temperatures" early May 4 in front of the convention center to show her desire for inclusiveness ("How could I be anywhere else?") was somehow deleted by our conference reporters from the version they disseminated. In another of your sources I read that Bishop Morrison also participated in the disruptive march around the auditorium to the beat of a bongo drum. This, too, was not reported in our conference news, although the demonstration was reported.  The Northeast seems to be acquiring a reputation for  "inclusiveness" due in large part to the activities of those who are in positions of power, including, and especially, Bishop Susan Morrison.  This posture is very unfair to the rank and file of those of us who support the Methodist Church in the southern tier of New York and northeastern Pennsylvania, which comprise the Wyoming Annual Conference. Furthermore, the obvious news management is reprehensible.  The bishop and those who have been chosen to represent us, who support her cause, do so without the consent of an informed laity. It will take more than rainbow stoles, invoking the names of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi to convince us that accepting homosexuality in the clergy and performing same-sex marriages is the wave of the future for the church. In the meantime, our conference reporters would do well to respect the fact that there are those of us who will keep ourselves informed through news services such as yours. --Marilyn Rozelle. Forty Fort, Pa.

While I had only a few moments last night to share with you some of the people who've made it possible for me to birth and grow NIC VOICE, I would like to share with you what I mentioned last night and more.

I can't name everyone along the way, there are so many people who have encouraged me by standing by NIC VOICE, funding NIC VOICE, being an example of contending for your faith in some way

My life changed on October 1, 2002, when I received the Good News update that referenced Bishop Sprague's Illiff speech.  It started me on a journey of discovery and a call that resulted in NIC VOICE.

Among those who first shared the process of discovery with me were my father, Mel Ingram, whose Biblical knowledge and faith were foundational in my life to prepare me for this and to my mother, Helen, who had lots of time to take care of her grandchildren, Christopher & Daniel, while I was making presentations and attending NICEA meetings.  And I do need to thank my husband, Kim, for supporting me through all of these activities.

The idea of a presentation to communicate the doctrinal issues developed with CLUMC members at the time Diane Haskin and Nancy Allen, who have since left the UMC, as well as current CLUMC members Barb Golden and Cal Skinner.  Cal's editorial and press knowledge have been invaluable.  There was also a prayer team at CLUMC that prayed for each presentation -- Beverly McGinn [who has now left CLUMC], Sandy Poling, Julie Zwarycz and  Jenny Gatling [who has now left CLUMC].

One of the first people outside my church I connected with is Rev. Ken Svendsen.  His name was on an old web page as the contact for the Confessing Movement in the NIC.  It has been a privilege to receive encouragement and wisdom from him and to know of his efforts to reform the NIC.  One of his thoughts he expressed, before GC2004, is particularly relevant:

"Agreeing to disagree is not walking in unity, it's just occupying the same general space."

In February of 2003, I received an email with this comment as I was assessing what to do about what I'd learned about the UMC:

"I'll go so far as to say that you may be about to encounter one of the most exciting, devastating, and/or spiritual experiences of your life.  If you continue to pursue this, do not underestimate the significance that this will have on your life.  It's been that way for me, and I've seen it in many others (on all sides of the fence)."

This quote is one of the truest things said to me -- it is by former NICEA member Michael Gonzalez, with whom I connected through the bulletin boards at www.themethodistchurch.com and www.ucmpage.org.  I don't think I could possibly express my gratitude for the hours of education and mentoring I received from Michael which enabled the birth and growth of NIC VOICE.  One of the best articles available on the issues is Michael's "A Proposal to Houseclean the UMC". 

Through Kent, I connected with NICEA.  There is a group of NICEA members that attend regularly, and have provided much of the initial funding and support for NIC VOICE.  Without them, this would not exist. 

Special mention goes to Jim Blue -- he's been a rock of support, a good friend, attending the NIC VOICE presentations, always encouraging and living his faith.  Also, Darrell Rader, who got pulled into making a presentation when my voice left me, and has been a confidant, friend, and companion in this journey. 

Steve Long has been willing to share his writings (Risking Methodism", by D. Stephen Long, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and  Wesley on "heart-religion") and knowledge with NIC VOICE.  For that I am grateful, and for connecting with Phil Meadows and Ed Philips and being invited to share with the Forum for Evangelical Theology at Garrett Seminary last October to present, "Contending for the Faith".

One of our Watershed presentations was at Wedron UMC.  I met Karen Michelini at Wheatland Salem presentation, and she brought us to Wedron.  Were we to live closer, we would be good friends.  I met a strong woman of faith who is a shining light and example for me.

Joe Royston, who has left Downer's Grove UMC for another denomination, is another friend who sponsored an NIC VOICE session at the library in Downer's Grove and boldly invited everyone -- this was one of our most "mixed" crowds, and was an incredible opportunity for learning.  It was amazing to see that many liberals had no idea that the AOR may not be changed.

I am grateful for the many clergy who reviewed the presentations, to ensure doctrinal integrity, and especially Dr. Scott Field, who took time out of his busy schedule to help with the early versions of the Watershed Moment presentation.

I have been privileged to connect with so many other evangelicals across the country -- there are two laity groups that are of special note.  One is in Mississippi, MSFUME, which consists of at least 800 clergy/laity at this point, maybe more.  Rev. Jeff Switzer has been an encouragement, as well as Rev. Wally Cason, who has written several articles for publication on NIC VOICE, including HOW SHALL WE DEAL WITH UNITED METHODIST HERETICS?  by Rev. Wally Cason, St. Mark and Oak Hill UMC, Tupelo, Mississippi.

Cathy Bihler of Faithful Christian Laity in the PNWAC has been a companion on our mutual journeys in our conferences.  We "met" through the bulletin boards mentioned above.  This very day she's dealing with the news that Bishop Galvin has appointed another self-proclaimed lesbian minister in the PNWAC.  She served at GC2004, she is a board member of Good News, and continues to help reform PNWAC initiating the NOT ANOTHER DIME campaign.  I count Cathy as a dear friend, one who is teaching me by her example how to pray more deeply.  She has written several prayers that are posted on the NIC VOICE web site (http://www.nicvoice.org/meditation.htm#Prayer and http://www.nicvoice.org/meditation.htm#More%20Prayer.

Mark Tooley (IRD), Don Wildmon (AFA and www.themethodistchurch.com), Ray Rooney, Pastor Verona-Palmetto United Methodist Charge  and James Gibson, pastor Marshallville UMC, whose commentaries are so insightful, Rev. Dan Tilly, Rev. Tom Lambrecht, Carol Noren, John Jurgensmeyer, John Crissman, Rev. Leonard Sukut, Marj & Charlie Cilley, Dan Henry, Rev. Royal Spiedel are all among the many people who have along the way lent their advice and counsel, financial support, or wrote articles that spurred me on to action.  Also, thanks to all of the churches that hosted  NIC VOICE Watershed presentations.

Finally, John Warrener, http://servantweb.com/, www.ucmpage.org, is our webmaster (ServantWeb.com).  Words cannot express my gratitude to John for all he has done.  He is not at all compensated as he should be for the work effort on NIC VOICE  -- and he has been a friend and mentor.  Among the many things he has shared with me along the way, I share this with you:

What My Obedience to God Costs Other People

As they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon . . . , and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus
—Luke 23:26

If we obey God, it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the pain begins. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything—it is a delight. But to those who do not love Him, our obedience does cost a great deal. If we obey God, it will mean that other people’s plans are upset. They will ridicule us as if to say, "You call this Christianity?" We could prevent the suffering, but not if we are obedient to God. We must let the cost be paid.

When our obedience begins to cost others, our human pride entrenches itself and we say, "I will never accept anything from anyone." But we must, or disobey God. We have no right to think that the type of relationships we have with others should be any different from those the Lord Himself had (see Luke 8:1-3 ).

A lack of progress in our spiritual life results when we try to bear all the costs ourselves. And actually, we cannot. Because we are so involved in the universal purposes of God, others are immediately affected by our obedience to Him. Will we remain faithful in our obedience to God and be willing to suffer the humiliation of refusing to be independent? Or will we do just the opposite and say, "I will not cause other people to suffer"? We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but it will grieve our Lord. If, however, we obey God, He will care for those who have suffered the consequences of our obedience. We must simply obey and leave all the consequences with Him.

Beware of the inclination to dictate to God what consequences you would allow as a condition of your obedience to Him.

Taken from My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers

We used the following as a theme for our initial NIC VOICE  brochure: 

For Such A Time As This

(Esther 4:14 NIV) For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Thank you for your part in this journey called NIC VOICE.  I pray that in some way, our efforts have helped to prepare you for such a time as this -- to encourage and equip you to continue or begin contending for the faith.  I have been privileged beyond measure to have had this opportunity to serve.

In the service of the Risen Christ,

Brenda Klockenga, NIC VOICE and NICEA web site Editor