e-Note from Martin - Dec 6 Issue

Dear Church Family, This week's e-note covers the following topics: A Big Theological Tent "Tell the Truth and Trust the People" A Big Theological Tent: After our November 27th worship services, I received two interesting notes from the congregation. One person expressed concern that one of our litanies referred to God as "father and mother." This person was not happy with a feminine image of God. Another person expressed disapproval that the Advent season Doxology referred to God three times as "He" and "His." They felt the language was overly masculine and non-inclusive.

BUMC is an interesting congregation! We have major diversity in our theology. Some members are theologically conservative.

Some are theologically liberal. Most, myself included, are theologically centrist. However, I see our theological diversity (as well as our political diversity) as a strength and not as a weakness. In a culture of extreme polarization, it's refreshing to belong to a "big tent" church where all theological and political persuasions are respected and welcomed.

"Tell the Truth and Trust the People:" During my early years of ministry, my old crusty mentor often said to me, "Tell the truth and trust the people." It didn't matter the subject. He believed pastors should be honest and transparent and trust the congregation to respond appropriately. That advice has served me well for many years. So I want to tell you the truth about an important subject, and will trust you to respond appropriately. I don't like broaching this subject. I've been criticized by several members of our church for discussing it. But it's too important to ignore. The truth is that BUMC is experiencing financial strain.

That's certainly not unique to our church. Most every church in America is in the same boat. This awful economy has hurt everyone, including churches. Our financial problems at BUMC are compounded by the rough patch we've been through over the past few years, which cost us a lot of people and a lot of financial support. Anyway, the truth is that we are probably going to end the year with a deficit of several hundred thousand dollars or more. On top of that, our pledges for 2012 (so far) are not enough to maintain even a status quo budget for next year.

So unless the members and friends of BUMC who have not yet pledged respond generously and quickly, or unless those who have already pledged decide to increase their pledges, we are going to have to make some extremely painful decisions about our ministries at BUMC, both locally and beyond. So I've "told the truth" on this subject. Now I will "trust the people" to respond appropriately. In the next few weeks, as year-end giving comes in, and as the final 2012 pledge cards are turned in-you will make a monumental decision. Your 2011 year-end giving and your 2012 pledge cards will determine whether we cut back on our ministries, or maintain our ministries, or grow our ministries. If you would like to make your 2012 financial and/or volunteer commitment online, please click here. (NOTE: I just received word that last weekend's offering was the largest in years. Thank you for your generosity. If we continue on this path, we'll begin the new year in a far stronger position.)

It was great seeing so many folks in worship at last weekend's services. I hope to see you again this weekend as we continue our Advent journey.

Finally, it was good to receive the following 16 new members: Jim and Liz Kershaw; Jerry, Julie, John and Abby Moore, James and Robin McDonald, Bryan, Aimee, Maddy and Gigi Shepherd, Nick and Erin Engle, Andrew Diemer, and Mark James.

Welcome to our church family.

It is a great joy and privilege to be your pastor.

In Christ's Love and Service, Martin