I received an email yesterday that broke my heart and it should break yours too.
My friend, the Rev. Patrick Walker, during the week in which he will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination, sent a letter to our bishop informing him that he is turning in his credentials as an ordained United Methodist pastor effective on June 30.
Patrick Walker
Patrick Walker
Patrick, one of the quietist, most peaceful and yet passionate people that I know, wrote the bishop “I cannot in good faith and sound conscience remain within a tradition that deems, and singles out, one type of God Created person as ‘incompatible’ with Christ and has further instituted punishments for those of us called by God who seek their full inclusion.”
I spoke with Patrick after he sent me a copy of the letter he emailed to the bishop. As he gave me permission to share his story, he emphasized that it is not a protest, or something he’s doing to gain attention. That’s just not his style. Never has been. As a regional organizer for Church World Service he describes himself as a bridge-builder, bringing people together from different backgrounds and philosophies to serve people around the world. Doesn’t this sound just like what Jesus tells us to do?
And now, The United Methodist Church is losing a gifted pastor who believes following one’s conscience is more important than being part of an institution that votes to intentionally harm people.
“On this, the 25th Anniversary of my ordination as an Elder, I am by love compelled to disassociate with the United Methodist Church that has in my estimation rejected the Divine Salvific Gospel of Love for a hurtful human legalism,” Patrick wrote Bishop Jeremiah Park. Park is the bishop of the Susquehanna Annual Conference in Pennsylvania, of which Patrick has been an ordained minister. The conference covers an area that runs from the New York State border to the Maryland border, and from around Altoona to Hershey.
Patrick goes on to write, “the church, as my father was fond of noting, is not a showcase for saints but a clinic for sinners. For this reason, I was more than willing and joyful to grow and strive toward perfection within our connectional system…. [but] watching the Special Session of the General Conference crushed my spirit. With the Judicial Council’s upholding of the constitutionality of many of the key General Conference decisions, The United Methodist Church is clearly not united and in our own words has become incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
In light of efforts to fix the broken denomination or create a new expression of Wesleyan Methodism, Patrick said he spent much time in prayer, conversation, and in counseling as he worked towards his decision to turn in his clergy credentials.
“I am not transferring to another tradition; nor am I abandoning my calling to ordained ministry… For now, I am joining a fellowship of Friends - Quakers - to give myself time to heal and I pray to find peace again,” Patrick wrote the bishop.
Fortunately, Patrick is able to continue with his position at Church World Service, where he does incredible things, organizing Crop Walks to fight hunger, helping immigrants, and assisting in the ecumenical organization’s response to disasters. He’s walking the walk with Jesus.
It’s sad, and a tragedy, that my church is losing such a gifted, selfless leader because it continues to insist that some people are incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Patrick would surely say, don’t pray for him, pray for the church, and, most importantly, pray for all the people the church has hurt.
Retired United Methodist communicator Stephen Drachler lives in Harrisburg, Pa. This post is republished with permission from his Facebook page.