From the Path to Action Conference

(The following is cross-posted from this post on my blog.)

It's late, and I'm tired after a great couple days in Washington D.C., but I'm going to post some highlights from the Path to Action conference.

First, an observation regarding the attendees to the conference. Since it's sponsored by several Episcopalian organizations, I expected the Episcopalians would have a strong showing. However, I'm surprised at just how few attendees are here from other denominations. There is a wide diversity among the speakers and panelists, which include not only speakers from other Christian denominations, but also a Jew and an atheist -- very commendable.

So why aren't there more attendees from outside the ECUSA? Where are the Presbyterians, the Methodists, the UCCers, and yes, someone besides me from the ELCA? I understand attempts were made to market the conference more broadly, but they were unsuccessful. I hate to conclude that it's denominational chauvinism, a reticence to attend an event outside one's own denominational comfort zone, but I don't know what else to think.

Progressive Christians from the mainline denominations need to come together. We don't have to abandon our cherished denominational traditions and theological particulars to come together as Christians with a common cause. (And btw, I have felt entirely at home here among my Episcopalian brothers and sisters in Christ.)

But on to the content of the conference itself. For now, I'm just going to recount some memorable quotes. (These are as close to word-for-word quotes as my memory and my notes will allow...apologies for any misquotes.)

"Religious liberals have been so worried about pluralism that they've been losing their religion." -E.J. Dionne

"The Jews are God's chosen people. We are God's frozen people." -Richard Parker, on the lack of movement by mainline protestants over the last 20 years

"I'm tired of being a 'Christian, but...'" -Raymond Steiner, on his felt need to distance himself from conservative Christians

"How do we take what we've done to the next level? What's next?" -Kety Esquivel, on progressive Christians and organizing for political action

"I have a simple point. The Episcopal church has a mission to be a church of reconciliation." - Father, Senator and Ambassador John Danforth on bringing together progressive and conservative Christians.

"Reconciliation is a great idea, but it depends on what's being reconciled." - David Hollinger, in response to Fr. Danforth

"Danforth is not talking about political reconciliation, but religious reconciliation. There is a big difference." -Jo Guldi, in response to Professor Hollinger

"We all share the same cup, the same bread. [...] Conservative Christians are our brothers and sisters in Christ." -Fr. Danforth

"We have to be humble about knowing God's will. God's will can't be encapsulated by a political program. [...] Any political system that claims to be ordained by God are worshipers of Ba'al." -John Danforth on the certainty of conservatives, and a warning to the religious left

"We don't need a Moral Majority of the left." -Richard Parker, a sentiment echoed repeatedly by other speakers

"It took the Episcopalian Church ten years to get together with the ELCA. We've got to do better." -John Danforth on ecumenism

"We must witness. -Amy Sullivan on the obligation of progressive Christians to tell others one can be both liberal and Christian

"I'm not a Democrat inspite of being a Christian, I'm a Democrat precisely because I'm a Christian." -Amy Sullivan

And then there was Jim Wallis' after-dinner keynote tonight. I did not take my computer to his talk like I did to every other session, because I wanted to allow myself to be fully engaged in the moment, in his words, and in the emotion in the room. So I don't have any verbatim quotes, and it's all a blur to me right now. Let me just say, in the words of Bishop Desmond Tutu during the fight against apartheid as recounted by Jim Wallis: "We have already won. Why don't you come join the winning side?"