Hamilton Strategy
The Rev. Adam Hamilton speaks March 28 at the Perkins Theological School for the Laity, at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, in Dallas. His topic: “The Future of a Divided Church.” (Photo by Sam Hodges, UMNS.)
UPDATED March 2
The first confirmation of participation by an LGBTQ United Methodist leader in talks about United Methodism’s future has been disclosed.
The Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey wrote to Facebook friends that she had participated in the Dallas meeting organized by the Rev. Adam Hamilton. Dr. Lightsey gave United Methodist Insight permission to disclose her attendance, but asked to keep other information private because the talks are preliminary.
Dr. Lightsey currently serves as vice president for Academic Affairs at Meadville Lombard Theological School. Previously she was associate dean and assistant professor at United Methodist-related Boston University.
Concern has been raised about who’s participating in the talks because to date, the only people identified with talks have been United Methodist pastors and bishops. Other than Dr. Lightsey, no LGBTQ leaders or church leaders of color are confirmed to be participating.
Media Mentions as of April 2, 2019
Op-ed: How the United Methodist Church moves forward – Charleston Post Courier
What Happened at the United Methodist General Conference? – The Megaphone
Washington Post channels devastated United Methodist left. Who needs to talk to the right – GetReligion (blog)
Methodists, split on LGBTQ issues, are at a crossroads – The Boston Globe.
UPDATED April 1
Rumors of conversations among U.S. United Methodist leaders regarding the future of the sharply divided worldwide denomination were confirmed March 29 when the Washington Post reported on what it termed “clandestine meetings” among “small but powerful cadres of pastors and bishops.”
Post religion reporter Julie Zauzmer wrote: “In the weeks since [the 2019 General Conference], several small but powerful cadres of pastors and bishops have begun plotting paths to overturn or undermine the decision. In conference calls and clandestine meetings, the disparate groups are discussing options that include splitting the church into two denominations and withholding funds until the pressure prompts the denomination to redo the recent vote at the next worldwide meeting in May 2020 in Minneapolis.”
In addition to the Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of 20,000-member Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, the Post reported leaders of the talks included Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the North Georgia Annual Conference and Bishop Mike McKee of the North Texas Annual Conference. The Rev. James C. Howell, senior pastor of 5,000-member Myers Park UMC in Charlotte, NC, was quoted saying he was among those on a recent conference call.
Two of those mentioned in the Post article, Bishop Haupert-Johnson and Rev. Howell, seemed to indicate that the talks included discussion of whether or how to divide the denomination.
Ms. Zauzmer quoted:
Rev. Howell: “I don’t know anybody who thinks we can continue to stay together with what we have now. I was someone who dreamed of that for a long time. . . . It’s sad, but it’s just not viable. People on a call like this, we’re talking to each other because we dream of, we believe in a beautiful, fresh, lovely form of Methodism.”
Bishop Haupert-Johnson: “I think this is a spiritual exercise. “How do we go about this in a way that you know is of God, led by God? . . . How do we sense that the Holy Spirit is leading the church now? . . . If the Methodist church has to get leaner and nicer, I’m all for it. I’m tired of the meanness. I’m tired of the pettiness. I’m tired of the fighting to win at all costs.”
However, notably absent from the Post report was any mention of leading LGBTQ United Methodist participants. An ad hoc survey on Facebook by United Methodist Insight turned up no confirmation that any of the known LGBTQ leaders have been included. In fact, a few United Methodists said they had asked to participate in the discussions and were refused.
United Methodist News Service staff writer Sam Hodges reported April 1 that "Jan Lawrence, executive director of the full-inclusion advocacy group Reconciling Ministries Network, attended the Dallas meeting, a spokesperson confirmed." Mr. Hodges also reported that the Rev. Keith Boyette of the Wesleyan Covenant Association had been involved in some conversations.
A retired United Methodist pastor, who spoke with United Methodist Insight on condition of anonymity, reported that talks were underway in a Midwestern annual conference between leaders described as “One Church Plan” backers, LGBTQ church members and representatives of traditionalist caucuses such as the Wesleyan Covenant Association, the Confessing Movement and Good News.
Rev. Hamilton spoke March 28 at the Theological School for the Laity at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. While in town, he said he met with a group of 30 specially invited pastors but didn’t specify who they were or what churches or interest groups they represented. Another meeting was scheduled to take place this week in Atlanta, again with an invited group. According to his blog, Rev. Hamilton plans a meeting May 20-22 for 500 pastors at Church of the Resurrection, and another meeting expected to draw 3,000 people to the church’s annual Leadership Summit in September.
Before the Washington Post article was published, United Methodist Insight contacted Rev. Hamilton twice by email to request an interview about the rumors of private consultations. Insight didn’t receive an answer until April 1, when Rev. Hamilton’s associate Sue Thompson responded that no details for the May meeting were set. She said that Insight had been “placed on the list” to receive information when it becomes available, but didn’t specifically respond to Insight’s request to attend the May gathering.
Media Mentions as of April 1:
Do Not Split the UMC: Stay & Fight with Me – Beckie Writes, the blog of Rev. Rebecca Torres Holland.
Positive Living: A former Methodist laments — It’s Homophobia! – Watermark, Tampa, Fla.
'They Cannot Have My Church' – PRIZM News
Local Methodist pastor responds to gay clergy ban: “We are an inclusive church.” – KRTV Great Falls News
Local reverend talks about Methodist Church divide - WCTI12.com
Hundreds of United Methodists rally in Raleigh to support LGBTQ+ community – CBS17.com
Central United Methodist decries worldwide church ban on gay clergy and marriage –Stockton, Calif., Record
Methodists veer toward schism over LGBTQ divide – The Boston Globe
Cheyenne United Methodists combat LGBTQ decision – Gillette, Wyo., News Record
Local pastors await possible United Methodist Church split over LGBTQ rights – Reporter Newspapers
US Methodist leaders lay plans to resist vote against same-sex marriage – AL.com
Will LGBT activists split the Methodists? – Catholic News Agency
Local Methodists advocate for more inclusivity in church – Addison County Independent, Addison, VT,
On LGBTQ members, 'We as a church have lost our way,' NCUnited Methodist bishop says – Raleigh News & Observer
United Methodist Church's polarizing same-sex marriage decision hits home in Minneapolis – KMSP-TV
Methodist exclusions of LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage may create divide – Daily Helmsman