Bishop leads conversations on Iraq war
Bishop Willimon addresses a crowd of more than 100 at Pleasant Hill UMC in McCalla.
Participants gathered for small group discussion after the Bishop's address.
Practicing Christian conferencing in the Wesley tradition, Bishop William H. Willimon led Conversations on the War in Iraq in three North Alabama Conference churches this month. The format of these conversations included comments by Bishop Willimon, small group discussions led by facilitators chosen in advance, a worship service, and prayers offered by all participants.
In his opening statement, Bishop Willimon said that thinking about war is a challenge to Christians. Referencing Matthew 22:17-22, he asked attendees to consider what belongs to God, which he said was “…the earth, and everything in it.” He reminded the audience that Jesus often came into conflict with the government. One of the main reasons for this, said Bishop Willimon, was that “Lord was a political term in those times, a sign of respect, like saying emperor or king. It had an implication that if Jesus is Lord, Caesar is not. This caused antagonism with the government. So, Christianity started in a state of friction with the government.”
Emperors start wars, Bishop Willimon reminded the group, but Jesus wouldn’t even allow self-defense. War takes what belongs to God. While plenty of valid reasons for and against this war exist, the main challenge for us is to think like Christians. Saying Jesus is Lord means you have to think differently.
Bishop Willimon challenged churches to do more, to be a place where these difficult issues are discussed. He listed specific concerns for clergy and churches. Some of those concerns are providing resources for prayer and study, offering solace and treatment for the collateral damage to the people we have asked to bear the major burdens of this war, listening and responding to the stories of our military personnel as they return home.
Bishop Willimon then asked attendees for resources in Scripture that have influenced their thinking about the issue. One participant said that Jesus’ response to the news of the beheading of John the Baptist helped to shape his response: mourning, prayer, healing and feeding. Another participant said that the Beatitudes, specifically “blessed are the peacemakers,” require repentance and forgiveness, and that Micah 6:8 requires us to show mercy, walk humbly and forgive. Another participant said that while he does not believe in war, through open dialogue with trusted friends he is able to debate and hear real, valid reason for the opposing opinion. His scripture reference was John 15:12-14… “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
Following the Bishop’s comments, participants gathered into small groups for discussion and sharing. Each participant was allowed time to share personal feelings and opinions in an open, loving atmosphere. They were led in discerning the underlying values that shaped these opinions, and the sources of these values.
The evening ended in worship, with participants invited to write prayers and lay them on the altar. The prayers will be posted on the North Alabama Conference web site in the coming weeks.
“This was an excellent forum, and a needed one,” said Bob Bentley of Oneonta. Bentley, a member of Lester Memorial UMC, hopes that the conversation has not ended. “This needs to continue if it is to have lasting value,” he said. “We need to be pushed to do the uncomfortable work Jesus calls us to do. I appreciate the chance to share, and I’m glad my voice was heard.”
As a result of resolutions regarding the war coming before Annual Conference for the past several years, a decision was made to conduct these conversations. “We had to decide if our time was better spent adopting resolutions, or in conversation and prayer,” said Bishop Willimon. Anne Wheeler, chair of the Committee of Procedures and Petitions, Chuck Vedane, Church and Society chair, and Paulette West, Director of Mission and Advocacy, worked together to schedule three conferences at strategic areas in the North Alabama Conference. Mrs. Wheeler facilitated discussions for these conferences, and Mr. Vedane will facilitate three more meetings in January to continue the conversation.
“We are collecting suggested resources for local churches to use in developing study groups on the war and on peace-making generally. These will be posted on the conference web site,” said Mrs. Wheeler.