Don't Shoot the Hog

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I learned a lesson over fifty (50) years ago that I think about from time to time and have a chuckle. I was deer hunting with a group of men and boys on a really cold morning. The frost was heavy, and ice was everywhere. The Hunt Master for the day was the landowner, an ole country man by the name of Leo, who had decided our first drive would be across a thirty-acre swamp thick with briars and shallow water. Since this group often called me "Swamp Cat," Leo asked me to go through the swamp with him. Then, the lecture began. He explained he had hogs living in the swamp, and we needed to be careful to only shoot "deer with horns on their head" and not his hogs. Several times, we listened as Leo gave specific instructions how to ensure we were hunting deer and not hogs. After several versions of instructions, the hunt began; everyone went to stands on the other side of the swamp, and Leo and I began to work through the swamp. His final instruction to me was, "Whatever you do, don't shoot my hogs."

As we began moving through the swamp, it was miserable and cold. Saw-briars and vines were thick, and it was hard to see more than fifteen to twenty feet anywhere you looked. Leo and I stayed in communication by whooping at each other several times each minute. We were about half-way through the swamp when it happened; I heard something big jump out of the brush and quickly heard Leo's old single barrel shotgun. Then, stone silence. I stood still and silent for a couple of minutes before calling out, "Leo, did you get him?" I got a very curt response, "Shut up, boy." I started to make my way toward Leo when I heard the shotgun roar a second time. I paused again and asked, "Leo, did you get him?" The answer came back more frustrated than before, "Shut up, boy."

It took me a few minutes to make my way to Leo, and as I broke through the swamp to him, he was kneeling in the water. Looking up at me, he said clearly, "Don't you ever say a word about this; I just shot my _____ hog." After a few minutes to gather himself and one more warning to me about silence, we made our way through the swamp. Everyone had seen several hogs come out of the swamp, and one young boy had seen "a big buck with a big rack too late for a shot." Leo didn't miss the opportunity, "That must have been the one I shot at. All I saw was the rack through the brush." Believe it or not, the "Swamp Cat" learned some lessons that day:

  1. When you are the landowner of the hogs, they are your hogs.

  2. Sometimes what other people don't know doesn't hurt them or you either.

  3. Protecting another's dignity and respect without harming someone else feels good.

  4. Leo was grateful. When he processed that ole boar, we got a whole ham and five pounds of bacon.

  5. There is grace in silence. Leo (now gone) and I never mentioned that hunt again. 

With a chuckle, Mike  

Proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation

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Loved ones, I try to stay focused on Kingdom ministry at our church. However, several of you have been asking me about the state of the United Methodist Church. So, have we split? No.

What is the “Proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation?” Ok, first, that is a long name. The Protocol is an agreed upon resolution to be proposed at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in May; it was developed by a wide range of delegates. If passed, it would create two denominations from one (details in the document). Many of you have heard about this in the news or online; I have provided a link to the Protocol below.

Is the Protocol good? In my humble opinion, as a traditional pastor (marriage is only between a man and woman, for instance), it is sad, but also hopeful. We have irreconcilable differences concerning doctrine and discipline rooted in how we interpret and even regard Scripture. It manifests itself around ethics, like the practice of homosexuality, but it is much deeper. So basic is this to our covenant (ordination) as clergy, we cannot function or minister well; in fact, we fight. When this conflict is seen in public, it is a bad witness. If the Protocol passes, and we separate, it may allow each party to function more peacefully. We may even find some ways to serve together. I am hopeful.

What might this Protocol mean? If the Protocol passes, the progressive/liberal expression would remain under United Methodist and retain its structures. The United Methodist expression will move to remove restrictions on marrying and ordaining LGBTQ persons and other matters. The traditional pastors (like myself), conferences, and churches would be in a new traditional expression of Methodism under the Protocol. Although I am not involved, deep discussions and drafts of an infrastructure have taken place with leaders around the world.

I will have a better sense of the Protocol’s support by April and may have more information regarding the new traditional expression at that time. I will plan to meet with our Board and the entire congregation in April to discuss likely contingencies. I hope this synopsis helps.

Barry

Link to Protocol:

https://cdnsc.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2020/01/03/15/48/Protocol-of-Reconciliation-and-Grace-through-Separation