You have waited for weeks to learn the interesting item I had in mind when I began this blog. The story actually began the Sunday morning after Christmas and has been developing every since. I have been ill. Friend John Lederach called to ask me of my welfare and asked me what I had learned through my illness. I think I said that I had learned that life is long – 88 years long and short – 88 years short.
I listened to much radio, watched much TV, read books on my Kindle (its easier on my eyes) and thought, thought, and thought.
This Sunday morning I listened to Krista Tippett on Public Radio as she interviewed Courtney Martin and Parker Palmer on the general topic of the role of rebellion in society. It seemed to me that they agreed that to be rebellious one must simply “show up.” The next program in the morning radio was from Big Picture Science with the warning to prepare to be “Replaced by Technology”. So I decided that it was time for this old man to “Show Up as an act of rebellion” against being replaced by a machine.
Last evening I showed up by going through the snow and cold for my first trip this year to church with My Joy and My Son in Law, Eldon. Eldon provided the car and the driving. The featured event was a talk by Karl Shelly on the question“Can Mennonite Pastors Be Advocates for Justice? One Pastor’s Learnings After 15 Years of Trying”.
The Indiana Michigan Conference asked Shelly to defend his marriage of a same sex couple. He wrote and published his defense which is available as six page pdf. statement written on July 25, 2014 on his website. I am also pleased to offer his you-tube explanation to the marginal Mennonites about why he and his congregation were aligned with welcoming Mennonite and Brethren congregations. Simply google “karl shelly,” browse the results and you should be able to find his you-tube statement.
I thought Karl’s presentation Sunday evening was brilliant. I need to go find his three recommendations for living together in this divide world. So glad you are gaining strength. The men at Samhedrin group miss your input, and frankly, we miss you.
Martin, my brother, Since we are so divided on your ‘pet issue’ why don’t we let this rest with our Lord to continue influence by his Spirit for the best in the Kingdom, and focus more on the major problems in the world and how love can bring a transforming impact on causes of violence.
Martin, I just read the message by Shelley again, and find it very inconclusive. He presents many good ideas but most are not directly related to the theme. We may all be guilty of selectivity, but why is the very remarkable work by Willard Swartley ignored? While not all will agree, that does not diminish its special merit. Myron.
The talk by Karl Shelly at last week’s meeting of New Perspectives of faith is now published and you can listen or download it here:
http://www.newperspectivesgoshen.org/pages/category/transcripts/
Feel free to share this link with others who may be interested in hearing what Karl had to say.
– Pete O