Ivan Turner, Jr.'s Dialogue Response

From: Ivan Turner, Jr.

Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008
Subject: Dialog Statement - Ivan

1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?

I believe that the Draft Mission Statement is a reflection of who we are as a church already. This is not a radical change, but an expression of the loving and accepting nature that already exists at Skyline.

2. How would you feel if our church adopted the above revised mission statement?

I am excited about the opportunity to “let the secret out.” We should not be hiding the great blessing of being a loving and accepting community. We should be exclaiming it as a blessing and a paradigm shift in a world where many find the church old, stuffy and out of touch with the real needs of people and the community. This is an opportunity to be a light of hope to many who have given up hope.

3. How would the revised mission statement impact you, the members of your household, our church and our community?

· Impact to me – finding ways to “walk the talk” by practicing the elements of the mission statement and living as part of “a community of followers of Jesus who freely choose to worship, serve, and live together prayerfully and in peace following a Methodist understanding of God’s gift of grace”

· Impact to my family - learning to understand and express the compassion of God by first accepting others as God’s children and then making them feel welcome.

· Impact to our church – learning to accept the challenge of looking past what makes us different and seeing all who walk through the doors as distinctive children of God.

· Impact to the community – once Skyline UMC finds a way to apply the energy from bridging our differences to create a unique loving community, then those outside of our church will hear the “Skyline buzz” and be clamoring to check us out and see what makes us so different from other churches.

4. How do you sense God is calling you to behave toward seekers and followers of Jesus Christ who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender?

Loving and accepting them for who God has wonderfully and beautifully made them to be and finding ways to serve and support all with my prayers, gifts and service.

At this point in my life, I am a proponent of accepting Christians who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender into full participation in church life including all aspects of fellowship, membership, and leadership.

I believe that the greater United Methodist Church will eventually join Skyline in accepting clergy who openly identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender persons. In the meantime, as a loving and accepting community, we should continue to pray, participate, and serve in the greater Methodist church as a witness to God’s work in our midst at Skyline.