“…as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among
yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts,
giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Moncure said singing songs means that words, actions and thoughts
should all be in harmony with the way God intends people to live
their lives. He compared individuals coming together as a symphony
and getting off key when they are out of harmony with God.
Moncure said resurrecting United Methodists’ song can be found by
resurrecting their joy, resurrecting their hope, resurrecting their
courage. He said joy comes from working together and being a dynamic
denomination. “Sometimes praying together, sometimes crying
together, sometimes laughing together, but all times joining hands
together –– that’s singing your song,” he said.
Moncure introduced the idea of
stones that keep rolling in the way of singing songs. He said these
stones silence hope, joy and dreams and asked, “What are the stones
today that are silencing the songs?”
Alluding to the many debates on the General Conference floor as
stones keeping United Methodists from singing, he reminded the
delegates of the peril of starting policy-setting conversations with
“How much will this cost us with dollars and cents?” and not asking
the question, “How much will this cost us if we do not go where God
is leading us to go?”
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A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.
The Bering Memorial United Methodist Church Choir from
Houston sings during morning worship. |
Moncure raised “a small warning” about what
he called the cliques, caucuses, boards, agencies, annual
conferences and disconnecting congregations and how they have come
to take class action against the emerging melodies of hope and the
songs of life. “What’s silencing our songs today?” Moncure asked.
Moncure brought the analogy to a personal level by saying sometimes
people defeat themselves. He said paralyzing fear seems to grip
people when they fail to recognize their kinship with each other.
He called for the assembly to roll away the stones to see the lyrics
of life, the harmony of life and spirit, like a divine conductor
calling the chorus together to resurrect the song in its lives.
Moncure said that if people were to make their “song” creating
disciples for Jesus Christ, the church would see a transformation as
never seen before. He envisions a transforming growth of the church
in all its many facets.
He exuded empathy for the delegates who were in their 10th day of
meeting.
From his view from the bishops’ podium, he said he sees a room full
of songs — people with capabilities, gifts, talents and
possibilities.
Moncure once again called to the assembly, “Can you imagine what
would happen if there were a mighty release and a resurrection of
the songs of life for us in this General Conference? If we were set
free of all of our fears? And, with a resurrection of hope and joy
and courage from the people of God, the United Methodist Church, we
could dismantle the walls and roll away the stones of our fears.”
Citing Ephesians, he said, “Wake up, wake up, and Christ shall give
us the light.”
He exclaimed, “God’s power, God’s might, God’s activity –– it’s in
this church!”
The Bering Memorial Chancel Choir, the Candler Singers and the
Spiritual Image groups led the service with traditional and
spiritual hymns.
Robert Nelson read the invocation incorporating the “Water Washed,
Spirit Born” theme of the 2004 General Conference. Nelson recited
“Spirit Moving over Chaos” while washing his hands in the waters of
the baptismal font on the worship service stage.
*Witte is communications coordinator for the Nebraska Annual
Conference.
News media contact: (412)
325-6080 during General Conference, April 27-May 7. After May 10:
(615) 742-5470.
