The Uniqueness of God

Sept. 21, 2025

I was able to share at the Celebration of Life service for my dear friend and coworker, Rev. Rowland Buck, that God has made us so unique that we can grieve and praise at the same time. We live in a dark world. Darkness is all around us, but we have the hope and assurance that light is greater than darkness. In John’s Gospel, we are assured that Christ is the light of all mankind and that darkness cannot overcome such light.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 (NIV)

Several weeks ago, Rev. J. Woods died unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack. His sudden passing left his family and his church family at Harriman Methodist, a GMC congregation in Harriman, TN, in deep grief and sadness. A few weeks later, the Dean of our Cabinet, who was also the Presiding Elder of the Knoxville District and Senior Pastor at St. Mark’s GMC in Louisville, TN, died unexpectedly in an accident—again, leaving his family and church family in deep grief and sadness.

In this past month, I have been reminded of John Wesley’s words, “The world is my parish,” and it has reminded me of what it means to minister to and for everyone. We live in a dark world, in a time when death, murder, wars, and rumors of war are heavy in our hearts and minds. In the past month, an innocent woman, Iryna Zarutska, riding on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, was murdered for no reason. Three public school shootings have left children and adults murdered. Eleven days ago, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while holding a public forum.

The public assassination of Charlie Kirk has lit a fire of public debate on what it means to disagree with one another and do it with truth and love. Many align with Charlie Kirk, while others find him controversial. As we all aim to share what we believe is the truth, we recognize that sometimes the truth reveals conviction, and conviction can cause pain. The pain of one’s own sin can lead to both negative and positive reactions.

I know the pain of conviction, the realization that I am a sinner in need of God’s grace and that my sin can no longer define me once I ask Christ for forgiveness and salvation. I am a work in progress, but thanks be to God, my Redeemer lives. In Romans 5:8, we read, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” It was my sin and the sin of the world that drew Christ to the cross, it was the only way to forgiveness, and Christ Jesus is the only way to Salvation and Eternal life. There is no other way.

Many have criticized me for not making a profound public statement regarding Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Some might want me to make a public statement about my own personal political beliefs. In contrast, others would have me make a spiritual statement of condemnation and damnation toward the group they disagree with. There is no doubt that I grieve with Charlie Kirk’s family and those who worked for him and were close to him. I grieve deeply for our nation and the conflict that has come from this. I grieve for the loss of life of any human, as we are all God’s children, and I am deeply troubled by the state of darkness in which we live.

As the Conference Superintendent of the MidSouth Annual Conference, I share with you that grief is real, conviction of sin is real, and the pain of both can be unbelievably stinging. I believe that all Americans should have the right to free speech in the public square without fear of retribution, threat, or retaliation. What happened to Charlie Kirk was unconscionable. There are no words I could share that could undo the harm such an atrocity has caused.

Liz and I attended worship this morning at The Forge Methodist Church (a Global Methodist Church) in Pigeon Forge, TN. Pastor Stewart Albee reminded the congregation that 35 Christians a day are killed in Nigeria for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. According to the Open Doors website (Opendoors.org), thus far in 2025, 4,476 Christians have been murdered for sharing their faith. So far, 7,679 Churches and Christian properties have been attacked, and 4,744 Christians have been imprisoned. Their crime: giving witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As I said at Rowland Buck’s Celebration of Life service, “God has made us so unique that we can grieve and praise at the same time.” I grieve human loss, especially when evil has prevailed or been involved. I grieve human loss that causes great pain and uncertainty. I grieve for those who share the Good News and get caught up in the darkness of humanity. I grieve for those who deal with the reality of brokenness and separation in times such as these. At the same time, I see revival, I feel the power of the Holy Spirit, and I know God is still God. I will not be silenced, nor should any of us be silenced. I will not witness in fear, and I will speak boldly the truths of the Holy Scriptures. I will proclaim Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I will offer the truth of the darkness of sin and how Jesus is our only hope. And I pray, I do this through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, that will lead me where I need to be. That same spirit convicts me of my own sins and allows me to grow toward spiritual holiness every day of my life and with every breath that is left within me.

My words have very little impact on a hurting world. For those who have been disappointed in me for not responding to Charlie Kirk’s passing, if I have caused you harm, please forgive me. I ask everyone to join me in prayer that we keep the faith and never be silent in our quest to share the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ with others… Above all, this is what we are about as disciples. Join me in prayer for those who grieve, for those who are broken, for those who denounce Christ and his plan for salvation.

Many years ago, I experienced a tragedy that I rarely speak about. I walked into the church early one morning to start my day, only to find that our associate pastor had been murdered and his wife beaten and left for dead. I found them just as the murderer had left the church building. The investigators told me, “If you had come in five minutes earlier, you would have probably been killed.” Several months later, at a deposition, a lawyer asked me: “Do you hope this guy gets the death sentence.” I responded, “The state of Florida will have to answer that, I have no power or authority to make such a decision. What I do hope for is this man’s salvation. I pray that somehow, someday, he will learn of God’s love and God’s ability to forgive sin through his son Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, all sin can be forgiven.”

All humanity has been offered such grace. I know, GOD has forgiven me, and God has saved me to the uttermost. For that, I am thankful. As I grieve, I also praise. I know, Rev. J. Woods was not alone when he had his heart attack. I know Rev. Rowland Buck was not alone when a semi-truck struck the bicycle he was riding, and I know Charlie Kirk was not alone when the bullet struck him. I know the associate pastor and his wife were not alone many years ago when he was killed. God was with them. Even amid tragedy and death, GOD IS WITH US.

As we wrestle with our grief, shock, and worry, what can we do? We can remember what John Wesley understood and taught us, that the world is our parish. That means we minister and show love to everyone. We grieve the loss of any life, and God help us, we pray for the strength to continue in love, without fear, and with the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Blessings,