Stan Ellis I have pondered a question asked about me by a coworker years ago. “Mr. Ellis, why are you so different?” I wish
that I had focused on my Christian conversion. I was young in my faith. At the time I think I fit the generation of the day in
my American culture. Reflection about her question has called me to care about striving to be kind, caring, long-suffering,
patient and “real.” When I let God’s spirit direct my life, he has enabled me to grow in Christian markings. I strive to fulfill
the Free Methodist call to be a “peculiar” people.
Merry Kendall Brett Heintzman, excellent article “How Did You Know?” in the July edition of LIGHT + LIFE. Thank you!
Lois Kiger Great article “With God in Quarantine” by Roberta Mosier-Peterson and illustration with colored pencils! I too
love the Psalms and how they comfort me daily. I’m grateful for the Christians God has put in my life during this time of
quarantine. I’m amazed how my prayer life has increased, including lovely kids from the Philippines praying for my grandkids
and vice versa. I’m thankful for the opportunity to listen to messages from a diversity of pastors. God is still at work through
all circumstances, and remains faithful!
Bishop Linda Adams Thanks, Jill Richardson, for such an insightful article “Exiles in a Weird (and Wonderful) World”. We
are tracking together!
Katie Bergman In times like these — the politicization of mask-wearing, the debates about defunding the police, political
and racial tensions, etc. — a bit more empathy would go a long way.
We don’t all sit on the same side of the political, moral, cultural, and theological continuum. But that’s exactly why we need
empathy — because it cuts through our differences and hones in on the one thing we have in common: our humanity.
We don’t have to agree with someone to show them empathy. We don’t have to be on the same page politically. We don’t
have to belong to the same denomination or share a faith at all. Frankly, we don’t even have to like someone to show them
empathy.
Patricia Hale Robey Our first priority as Christians is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to please Him.
Liz Cornell I came late to the evangelical world (when I was in my mid 30s) and have been disappointed by the response of
fellow believers to my work in racial reconciliation. They seem to have wrapped the American flag so tightly around the cross
that it looks like they’re worshipping Jesus, but it’s really a form of nationalism.
Christopher Ryan Cole As a child and an adolescent growing up, it was interesting in that what I was taught was “seek first
the kingdom of God,” but what I was shown was “America first.” What I was taught was “Do unto others what you would
have them do to you,” but what I was shown was that it was acceptable to dismiss someone as lazy if they didn’t have a job.
What I was taught was “pray for those who persecute you,” but what I was shown was vilify anyone who doesn’t agree with
you. Even now, I have been told by other ministers that being concerned for the lives of people of color is divisive to the
work of the gospel.
The evangelical church, Wesleyan Holiness movement included, was scared to be the minority. Not a minority, but the
minority, as the remnant of God’s people who remained faithful to Him throughout history has always been a minority,
even in a country where the majority identify as “Christian.” The very sound of “The Moral Majority,” ambiguous at best, is
I believe evidence of this. Because we were scared of not being in the majority, we largely gave up our place in being the
people God created us to be.
August July 2020 — pg. 23