Curt Lawson's Dialogue Response

From: Curtis Lawson
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008
To: Bo & Vicki Gordy-Stith and Ivan M Turner, Jr.
Subject: Skyline UMC Mission Statement

1. What are your thoughts about the above revised mission statement?
I think the existing mission statement adequately communicates the mission of Skyline----ALL are welcome if they seek a deeper relationship with God. I see no need to revise the existing mission statement.

2. How would you feel if our church adopted the above revised mission statement?
I feel that the proposed revision to the Skyline UMC mission statement is too “legalistic” in trying to define the specific groups who are welcomed at Skyline. In Jesus’ time, it would certainly have kept the Pharisees busy debating about what group should or should not be included in the statement. The bottom line is that ALL are welcomed at Skyline, and I see no need to try to come up with a list of specific groups for which this applies.

3. How would the revised mission statement impact you, the members of your household, our church and our community?
The revised mission statement is obviously written to be “politically correct” in identifying all the various groups that are welcomed at Skyline, and I’m sure there are some additional groups that have not been included, and will probably need to be added in the future (political affiliation, veterans, cigarette smokers, and dog lovers, to name a few). If someone is searching the web to find a church, I think that the legalistic nature of the revised mission statement would turn away more people than it would bring in.

We need to grow our congregation so we can adequately support and expand our mission and outreach programs to serve and reach out to others in the community in Christ’s name. I do not believe the revised mission statement is the way to accomplish this.

In practice, actions speak louder than words. It is really how an individual feels he or she is being treated by the individual members of Skyline that is the ultimate test of the welcoming nature of our church. This type of Christian welcome comes from the hearts of the individual congregation members, not from a mission statement.

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?
No different than I behave toward any other seekers and followers of Jesus. If a person is committed to Jesus Christ and willing to use his or her spiritual, physical, and/or financial gifts to serve the church and reach out to others in Christ’s name, then he or she is indeed welcome at Skyline UMC.

Submitted by: Curt Lawson, 30 December 2008 (Male, 50’s, Skyline member 8 yrs)