Sunday night I had the chance to get away from General Conference and attend a church called Mosaic in Fort Worth. Although I didn’t hear them describing themselves as “emerging,” I would call them an emerging community. The scripture for the night was Philippians 2:1-11. The part I remember the most was verse 3 which is “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves” (NRSV). After the message time (which was interactive) there was a short break and then a meditation time. The meditation consisted of a series of slides with different individuals and groups inserted in Philippians 2:3. At Mosaic, each slide also contained a picture with it.
As I was driving home on Tuesday, I wondered what Philippians 2:3 would look like in the context of the United Methodist Church?
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Council of Bishops as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard seminary professors as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Reconciling Ministries Network as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the RENEW Women’s network as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Catholic and Orthodox Christians as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard laity as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the IRD as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard ordained elders as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the Western Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard ordained deacons as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard evangelicals as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Transforming Congregations as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard older United Methodists as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard high-steeple churches as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard diaconal ministers as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the general boards and agencies as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard students at non-UM seminaries as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard students at UM seminaries as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard United Methodist Men as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Methodist Federation for Social Action as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Affirmation as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard MoSAIC as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of other mainline denominations as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard children as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Pentecostals and charismatics as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Baptists as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the South Central Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Good News movement as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard United Methodist Women as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the Central conferences as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the Southeastern Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Lifewatch as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the Northeastern Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard youth and young adults as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Confessing Movement as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Reconciling Congregations as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the North Central Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard small membership churches as better than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
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