Will Love Prevail In Tampa?

[deacon blues]

I'm already sick of the poisonous, vitriolic rhetoric and attitudes from both sides on the great divide we find in the UPC. Preachers demonizing one another. Internet diatribes belittling the opposite side. Angry debates slamming the carnality of some or the Phariseeism of the others. The anticipation of sparks flying in Tampa has many salivating. There will be some showing up for conference this year simply because of the salacious nature of this year's business and they don't want to miss out on all of the exciting conversations at restaurants, in the concourses, the hotels, the exhibit hall, etc.

Last year in Columbus I was told by a friend of mine who eyewitnessed it that two preachers were arguing heatedly about tv in a hotel lobby after the business meeting loud enough for all to hear. I remember seeing a handful of preachers walking to lunch that I recognized as being part of a group that would be in agreement on the tv issue. You could see it in their faces and you could read their body language and you could tell by the way they were talking as they walked their built up anger. As we were leaving the busness meeting a preacher we know with a different opinion than ours made a cocky snide remark as we walked by. It wasn't just joshing, he was being mean under the guise of jesting. A very well known preacher came storming into a hotel lobby speaking aloud his dissatisfaction with the tv issue drawing people into conversation, some he didn't even know. All of it is still disturbing to me.

Will someone preach before the business meeting a message appealing to the brethren to love one another? Will a diplomatic voice stand in the business meeting and make the case for laying down our arms and embrace those who we perceive as the enemy of the cause and simply accept what transpires whether it goes our way or not? Is there such an individual in our movement that is not a polarizing figure, that is loved by all sides, that has the respect of a majority of our fellowship? Is there a Gamaliel among us---a voice of reason?

Can love for one another emerge at this year's conference? Can it prevail above all the other attitudes and emotions that will be present? Could a THIRD option appear in Tampa? Is it possible that a sweeping baptism of love for our brethren take precedence over all of the strong opinions, personal agendas and angry debates?

In my heart I would rather see that be what Tampa is remembered for as opposed to how the tv debate concludes. That's what I'll be praying for from now til then.