2016ustrip

Report on Friday, 2 September, 2016 World Methodist Conference
Morning Worship: What Does Your Love Like?
by Vashti Murphy McKenzie
T he main speaker for the day was Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie,
Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. She started
the second full day of the WMC with a challenging question: “What does
your love look like?”
She gave examples of what love looks like from others, including the
tragedy in Charleston and the forgiveness given by families and members
of the congregation that endured that unimaginable loss. She declared
“God’s love will change your mind about people and change your mind
about God.”
The Scripture for study was Mark 2:1-11. Bishop McKenzie reflected on the conflict of those who thought
they knew Jesus and who He was. She brought that idea forward to praise God for people who can see beyond
our pain to who God would have us be. The four helpers saw beyond the incapacity of the invalid and stopped
at nothing to bring him to Jesus. They found a way despite the crowds; they were creative, they did something
they probably had never done before to get to Jesus. Bishop McKenzie urged the audience to do the same, to
do something new and creative to get to Jesus and to bring others to Him. “We can’t keep doing the same
old thing ‘cause it’s not working!”
Bishop McKenzie praised God for people, like the four helpers, who can see beyond our pain and brokenness
to who we can be and not desire to control us or be afraid of the best in us.
She reminded us that Jesus not only healed in the story but He forgave the invalid’s sins. And those who
saw the miracle changed their minds about people and changed their minds about God. She urged the
audience to use this example to break through the roof, get out of the house, to get to where the people are.
She shared:
“Praise God for people who understand that love is a verb, an action word.”
“Let us abound in the supernatural love of God. ”
“Love is the Bible in a nutshell.”
“Love of God will make you do strange and wonderful things.”
It will make you love regardless of social class, race, gender, education or
anything else that could divide you from your brothers and sisters. Love can
make you advocate for the poor, stop abuse and violence against women, even
make you civil towards those who don’t share your views on many things.
To conclude, Bishop McKenzie had everyone up, holding hands, dancing and
singing “Love Train”.
Rev A Chiew
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