Rash Decisions Don’t Work

It is early, too early, in the morning of the Fifth Legislative Day here at the 77th General Convention.  We’ve only got four more Legislative Days left, and aside from the House of Deputies decision to sell 815 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, we’ve done nothing of any substance.

In a convention hell bent on change, we’ve talked and talked and talked about process.

In a convention seeking marriage equality (or a pathetic facsimile of liturgical equality), we’ve had long debates.

In a convention over-shadowed by a budgetary disaster, we’ve made sure voices are heard.

Some will say that this time has been wasted, that we should be voting on these things and taking our stand NOW.  I was once one of those people.  I’m not much for talking for the sake of talking.  I don’t like meetings that end with pats on the back even when nothing has been accomplished.  I wish we could do this whole thing in 4 days so that I can go home and see my family.

The problem with quick decisions is that they often don’t work.  John the Baptist knows the mess that can come from rash decisions.  In Sunday’s Gospel lesson, Mark recounts the story of Herod’s awkward, drunken, lustful promise to his step-daughter, “Ask for anything and I’ll give it to you.”  John’s head ends up on a silver platter because of rash decisions.

Here in Indianapolis, we risk problems of unspecified magnitude if we rush to decisions.  As we heard from The Rev. Frank Wade yesterday, institutional memory is short.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars are ordered to be spent at one Convention, and we forget to ask about the results the next time.  As my deputation has realized, sometimes that money ends up being only represented by a “discharge – other reasons” on the consent calendar in the House of Bishops.

The Good News we have to share is too important to be put in the hands of a Church that makes rash decisions.  So, as the onslaught of legislation comes before us in the next 4 days, my fellow Deputies, first, give thanks for the work done by the committees, and then, be sure you do the work of prayer and discernment.  Listen to the speakers.  Listen for God.  And vote your conscience knowing that a little bit of time spent now saves a lot of time and money down the road.