Dear Friends at Mouzon UMC            

In my service as an Interim Minister, I’m enjoying the fact that Staff Parish Relations Committees and congregational reflection groups are apparently more “open” to ask me pointed questions.  This is a real treat because I believe this kind of engagement enables us to eventually work even closer in ministry than any reticence could elicit from pastor-parish partnerships.  Whatever the reasons, relationships seldom grow except in the warm light of caring honesty carefully couched in respect for another’s personhood and worth as a child of God.  Stated very negatively, the day of demeaning paternalism is dead—thank God!  While there are other manifestations of this kind of culture, this one has been the most prominent. 

One of the most exciting queries occurred back in December of 2008 while I was being interviewed by the Staff Parish Relations Committee of the St. Stephen United Methodist Church.  We had exchanged the important information of introducing each to the other.  I had received from them vital information about beginning my relationship as senior minister for the church.  Then the chair asked the committee members if they had questions for me.  The questions began, as most would expect, in the “normal” range.  Then one committee member began to explore what he referred to as “your intolerance”, asking “Tom, can you share with us your chief intolerance?” 

My immediate response was silence as I searched for as honest an answer as was within my capability.  This was not a small question!  I suggest that you, the reader, think about your own answer.  I began, calling the questioner by name, “While I might struggle to discover other intolerances, I believe there’s only one that really “bugs” me.  I am intolerant of intolerance.”  The meeting continued with other questions and well wishes.  We concluded our time with prayer for an effective and fruitful ministry together and went home. 

As I drove the short distance to my home, that question and answer kept bouncing around in my head.  This mental activity continued for several days.  It “comes to me” off and on.  I hope it always will.

In truth, intolerance is a creation of the dark spirits of this world and any other.  It prevents relationship.  It shouts in a menacing fashion, “ I want my way.”  It even declares “Don’t bother me with the facts.  My mind is made up”.  It can destroy the smallest connection and spoil the success of the greatest of nations.  There are seemingly no limits to its destructive power.

And, Yes, it can cause even the most effective Church to alter its course away from the passionate pursuit of the Gospel’s strongest principles. Among other Christian brothers and sisters, it can create the attitude that “My church is better than your church.”  It is insidious enough to penetrate the strongest defenses.  Our lives can become whole without it.  Little progress can be made if it’s damaging poison takes control of our destiny.  Enter, stage right, the argument that integrity and principle are vital to the life of all!  My response is a strong “yes.”  This is indeed very true and critically important to who we are and whose we are.  These must be upheld.  Yet, ever present in the life of all whose core is genuinely such, there is always the threat of beginning to believe that “I’m right and you’re wrong.”   

My point in all this?  God calls each of us to be all that we can be.  God calls us also to work and witness in relationship so that others can respond in this same way.  It isn’t easy to practice tolerance.  It is necessary as we embrace the faith that makes it all possible. 

 

                                             --Tom Sigmon