At this year’s United Methodist general conference—a quadrennial global gathering of delegates representing ecclesial regions throughout the world—the church was striving to express in doctrine and polity its most faithful understanding of who God is calling the Methodist people to be. For generations we have been consumed by debates over biblical authority, human sexuality, regional differences, colonial legacies, the accompanying attempts at decolonizing our polity and theology, and the demographic shifts that have altered the locus of power in the church’s decision-making apparatus.
“The crucifixion—Jesus bloodied on the cross—is meant to remind us of what we are capable of, that what happened to Jesus didn’t just happen once. It happens every day, right before our eyes. Violence against innocent people, violence against the earth, violence to entire communities in myriad ways. We can’t pretend not to know. If you want to know how God feels about that, just look at that crucifix. It tells you everything you need to know…
But the work of love in a world of hate is an antivenom, and is holy work. The work of compassion and mercy in an age of callousness is an antivenom, and it is holy work. The work of dialogue and working across differences in an age of divisiveness—of vilification of those who disagree with us—that too is an antivenom, and it is holy work.” Click here to watch the full sermon.
President Javier A. Viera was inaugurated on October 20, 2021 in the seminary’s Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful. His inaugural address was titled “An Unrelenting Hope.”
Dr. Rolf Nolasco is joined by President Viera for the inaugural “G-Talk.” “G-Talk” is a space for soulful conversation. It’s about engaging in “G-d-Talk” that is personal, practical, embodied, and open-ended.
Dr. Javier Viera talks to Dr. Maria Liu Wong about her recent book on urban ministry and theological education
