How Do United Methodists Respond to Pennsylvania’s Budget?

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell has proposed a $29 billion state budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year that will begin on July 1.

That’s the news. The question is: How do we, as United Methodists, respond to the budget and the process that is now underway?

The temptation is to respond as most of us always have: as liberals, conservatives, or moderates, or as Republicans, Democrats, Independents, or persons of some other political stripe.

But how do we respond as United Methodists? How do we look at the budget proposal, and all that will follow in the next few months, from a theological point-of-view? The political response is much easier for most of us. The theological is often tricky, but can be a powerful, unpredictable, transformational experience.

There are literally hundreds of Biblical references one can use in looking at government, budgets, taxes, legislators, and everything in between. God gives us much to chew on.

As United Methodists, our General Conferences have provided guidance for many generations, through adoption of the Social Principles and ratification of hundreds of resolutions stating the denomination’s position on various issues. Annual conferences take position on issues each year as well.

United Methodist Advocacy will be following the budget process very closely in the coming weeks and months. We’ll let you know about key elements of the budget, especially how it deals with persons and families dependent in some way on the social safety net for assistance. We’ll closely follow education, criminal justice, and how the tax system is structured.

You will see that when we speak on these issues, we will always endeavor to frame our responses and our counsel from a theological perspective, reflecting both biblical principles and the positions taken by our denomination. We’ll be asking you to contact your legislators and the governor to respond from a United Methodist perspective.

Please keep our leaders in prayer as they deal with difficult issues in trying times. Pray that they will act to do what is right in God’s eyes. It may seem like a tall order, but, with God, everything is possible.