Why I'm a United Methodist, Part 2

A happy (but too brief) reunion with Joe and Beverly McMurry

It's one of my favorite memories: walking into the back door of Bethpage UMC, bounding up the small set of stairs and then hearing Rev. Joe McMurry boom out as soon as he saw me, "Joooohnnn Wesley!"  I don't know how many Sunday morning's this actually happened, but it felt like a lot and it meant the world to me.  I was a hyperactive kid, prone to being impulsive and unable to sit still for any meaningful length of time.  As a consequence, I occasionally got on people's nerves.  Sometimes it felt like the whole world was poised, waiting to fuss at me for talking too much, asking too many questions, not sitting still, whatever.  Oh, don't feel sorry for me - all of those things were true!

However, it did make those adults who were patient with me and did make me feel welcomed that much more important.  And there were a lot of those people, most of whom were at Bethpage UMC.  But Joe stood out.  He always seemed happy to see me.  I'm pretty sure that Joe made a lot of people feel that way, but it was important for a 7-year-old to have one authority figure (outside of his parents) who expressed joy and gladness at their presence. 

Reason Number 2 - I'm a United Methodist because Rev. Joe McMurry made me feel welcomed and wanted in church.

At Annual Conference, candidates for ordination are asked John Wesley's Historic Questions.  One of those questions is "will you diligently instruct the children in every place?"  While Joe's enthusiastic greeting was not technically 'instruction', it did teach me an important lesson about ministry and making kids feel special and like they belong in the church.  Joe and his wonderful wife Beverly (who was just as welcoming and equally influential for me) moved to another church when I was 7, giving me my first taste of the United Methodist system of itineration.  But I try to honor Joe's legacy of faithful ministry by trying to make the children in my church feel welcomed and loved. 

So, there's my second reason that I'm a United Methodist.  I'm thankful to God for Joe and Beverly McMurry and their faithful witness to God's love and for being examples for me of Christian hospitality!  And for what it's worth, I have been planning for several months to start this 'series' of posts and this has long been #2 on my list.  Just a few weeks ago while I was serving at Carolina Cross Connection, I realized that our camp was only minutes from Joe and Beverly's home.  I asked my team if we could stop by and they were happy to.  Joe and Beverly greeted us just as warmly and with the same joy and kindness that I remembered from my childhood.  What a blessing it was to see them again!

In invite your feedback - why do you belong to your church?  What do you love about your church?  And, I kindly ask for no negative comments about the United Methodist Church or any other denomination.  Make sure your words give grace to those who read...

Why I am a United Methodist, Part 1

Not that anybody's sitting around wondering, "why is Wes Smith a United Methodist?", so this is more for my benefit - some helpful reminders as the church begins moving towards General Conference next year.  The reasons I'll be sharing on this blog are not exhaustive, but they are the most important reasons to me.  So, let's get started!

Reason Number 1 - I'm a United Methodist because my parents raised me in a United Methodist Church.  

I've heard it said a number of times that "cradle Christians" are only Christians because their parents brought them up in the church. Those of us who grew up in the church might have heard people question our commitment or our depth of faith because we've always been in the church. As Paul would say, that's some skubala right there (look it up).  Certainly, there are people who are Christians (of any denominational variety) that are Christians simply because of inertia.  And there are people who have not critically examined the faith that was handed down to them by their families.  But this true of any number of things - holiday traditions, grocery store preferences, favorite sports teams, on and on.  However, simply because it's true for some doesn't mean that it's true for all.  Some of us have critically examined our faith and take seriously our participation in whatever church/denomination we're a part of.  And we still choose to remain in the church/denomination/tradition that we were raised in.  

I'm a United Methodist because my parents were (and still are) both incredible examples of what faithful Christian commitment looks like in a United Methodist context.  They raised me to be committed to God, to my family, and to my church. I was taught, whether they would have put it this way or not, to hold to Methodism's twin concern for personal and social holiness.  How I behave, the choices I make, how I view and interact with the world - these things are important and are to be shaped by God's love for me and my love for God.  My dad was more involved in the leadership side of things, serving on pretty much every committee in my home church at one time or another.  My mother was a dedicated Sunday school teacher and also provided leadership in a number of groups and activities in the church.  For a few years, both of them led the UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship) at our church, which puts my personal involvement with that ministry at almost 30 years. 

So, there's my first reason that I'm a United Methodist.  I was raised by two parents who were active leaders in our church and who were and are still models for me of Christian commitment.  I am extremely thankful for my mom and dad and their example! 

In invite your feedback - why do you belong to your church?  What do you love about your church?  And, I kindly ask for no negative comments about the United Methodist Church or any other denomination.  Make sure your words give grace to those who read...