POEM: Methods

Council of church members, seeking accord
In picking their new ecumenical board,
Said "Some Presbyterians, Catholics, Jews
and laymen from each walk of life we should choose.
We need a Chicano, a woman, a black.
A gay would be good. Now then, what do we lack?
It's fair and it's balanced. By all means, elect 'em.
Together they cover a very broad spectrum."

Alone, Jesus went to the mountains and prayed
All night long before the decision He made.
The following day, of the Twelve He would choose
All would be local and all would be Jews.
All twelve would be men and four of them brothers.
One tax-man, four fishermen--as for the others,
Who knew their professions? Not even elected?
What an unrepresentative choice God directed!
                                
                                                

(Published in Theology Today, April, 1989)