TITLE: Unity Plea Draws Delegate Response
Release # 009 {2973}
April 18, 1996
General Conference '96
DENVER (UMNS) -- A plea for unity was the message to all participants at the morning worship service of the United Methodist Church's General Conference here April 18.
A standing ovation at the conclusion of the homily appeared to be an expression of affirmation for message of love and honor delivered by the Bishop William Boyd Grove of the Albany (N.Y.) Area.
Grove told the assembled 998 delegates -- and many hundreds of observers -- that early converts were won to the gospel by the love Christians showed for each other. These people were not all of one opinion, he reminded the members of General Conference who have come from all over the world to debate and vote on the legislation of their church.
"There were serious differences among them," Grove said of the early Christians, but he added, through all that, the world first saw their unity. Jesus has broken the wall of hostility between individuals, making peace, Grove said. Naming several of the special interest groups in the United Methodist Church, the bishop asked, "Can we pray for each other" in spite of the great differences of opinion? Answering his own question, he urged all to invoke the peace of the Holy Spirit.
Grove challenged the delegates to consider the words of John Wesley, Methodism's founder: "If your heart is as my heart" -- not your opinion but your heart, Grove interjected -- "give me your hand." If United Methodists could live that way, Grove said, the resulting manifestation of unity would surprise the church and draw the world to the gospel.
#-- Joretta Purdue
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