An Open Letter to Those Considering Disaffiliation

by

Special to United Methodist Insight

As a legacy Methodist/United Methodist, I try to remain informed about happenings in the United Methodist Church. I have increasing concerns about what is being conveyed and the negative effects it maybe be having.

The continuing fallout from General Conference 2019, which could be called; "No Spirit in St. Louis," raises very serious questions:

  • What message is being sent?
  • What ministry is being provided?
  • Is threatening to take your ball and go somewhere else "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?"
  •  Where does God's Unconditional Love come in?
  • Where is God's grace?
  • Am I convinced that becoming part of an angry, paranoid, threatening, judgmental group will address my spiritual needs?

For over five decades underlying themes have been in place, e.g. "Bishops are bad, and they don't follow the rules." I can't imagine what a happy, edifying church setting that must be. I wonder where does the idea of "making God the subject and the object of worship time" fit?

"Why don't they just let us leave?" It seems that the only "thing" that is stopping the exit is love of things (buildings, land, property). Jesus' instruction to the rich young ruler seems applicable in this whine: "We paid for the building, we own it, we maintain it, and we can do whatever we want with it." Jesus also challenged the listeners about "laying up treasures on earth"

"We are offended by what someone may be doing in the privacy of their own home." Chapter 7 of Matthew opens by addressing that concern: don't judge, you will be judged by the same standards that you use. "The entire problem is because of the _____(fill in the blank with your favorite target to blame). When pointing the finger of blame, look at the rest of the digits on that hand; they are pointing back to the accuser!

I don't see that a church based on negativity is going to meet my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual hopes, dreams, and needs. Personally, I don't sense any attraction to become part of an unhappy, narrow, paranoid, judgmental group that is not representative of the God that I know and love and who I know knows and loves me. John Wesley challenged; "if your heart is with my heart, give me your hand." Wesley did not say; "if you agree with me, I will be your friend." I find nothing to indicate that thoroughly destroying the United Methodist denomination by a "scorched-earth policy" on the way out the door is appropriate, acceptable, or remotely demonstrating God's love for neighbor. Commandeering the word "Methodist" because it has positive connotations but celebrating by leaving a smoldering pile of rubble doesn't strike me as the mark of someone following Christ or showing God's love.

"The joy of the Lord is my strength" and my entire well-being is dependent on a positive environment. The constant sensory overload in the "news" everyday serves to drag down every person. Church, to me, needs to be a place to counteract that negativity and offer hope, joy, peace, and love. I look forward to continuing to serve the Lord with gladness of heart knowing that "the joy of the Lord is my strength."

Wil Meiklejohn of Pueblo West, Colo., is a retired Doctor of Optometry currently serving as a Certified Lay Minister in the Trinity District of the Mountain Sky Annual Conference. His legacy background in the Methodist/United Methodist Church goes back more than 125 years through direct family connections.