'Out of Chaos' to Create 'Vision Map' for Church

Group Enters Second Round of Envisioning a New UMC

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An ad hoc group of visionaries called “Out of Chaos – Creation” has found that United Methodists seek a worldwide denomination open to all people that frees itself from structures and processes which inhibit its ability to do God’s work in diverse local contexts.

“Out of Chaos” reported results from six months of discussions and online surveys during its second virtual webinar Dec. 1. The group held two sessions at different times to allow for time zone differences around the world where United Methodists are present.

“Out of Chaos” began in March as a conversation among delegates to the 2020 General Conference who were seeking a third way forward for the UMC rather than dividing the denomination. “Out of Chaos” isn’t related to any faction or caucus among United Methodists, promotes no legislative proposals, and isn’t a means to start a new denomination, its leaders say.

In particular, the group describes itself as “deep listeners” that seek to gain input and insights from grassroots United Methodists whose voices are rarely heard in church politics, said the Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, a member of the “Out of Chaos” organizing team. Ms. Bigham-Tsai also serves as top executive for the Connectional Table, the UMC’s ministry coordinating body, but “Out of Chaos” is separate from that agency.

Additionally, “Out of Chaos” has focused on building relationships between U.S. United Methodists and United Methodists in regions known as Central Conferences that are outside the United States, Ms. Bigham-Tsai said. Collaboration with United Methodists in Central Conferences has been key to overcoming an American-centric bias in church decisions, she said.

Moderator from Switzerland

In an example of “Out of Chaos’s” worldwide collaboration, Christine Schneider of the Switzerland-France-North Africa Conference moderated the second of two sessions Dec. 1 from Zurich, Switzerland. She cited three goals for the webinar:

  • Name individual aspirations for The United Methodist Church;
  • Learn of others’ aspirations for the UMC;
  • Find ways to join in a common purpose beyond legislative differences.

“All voices matter,” Ms. Schneider said. She invited participants to respond initially to two questions:

  • Who are you/we as United Methodists?
  • What are your core beliefs about the church?

To start the online chat, the Rev. Anne-Marie Detjen, pastor of a United Methodist church in Hamburg, Germany, said her congregation, comprised of people from multiple cultures, sees the church as “helping each other.” She said they envision United Methodists as “people who share God’s abundant grace” with the world.

Responses from webinar participants echoed similar themes of identity, describing United Methodists as “child[ren] of God,” “people of grace” and “people of personal and social holiness.”

Participants then were asked to name:

  • What historic sources of Methodism are most important?
  • What are the norms and sources for United Methodists?
  • What are spiritual practices that define United Methodists?
  • What are the basic theological understandings or beliefs that define United Methodists?

Ms. Schneider, the moderator, said that thus far the group has used several traditional sources to inform its discussions, including John Wesley’s three General Rules; the theological method of interpreting Scripture by means of tradition, experience and reason, known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral; and the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church and the Confession of Faith of the Evangelical Brethren Church. The latter two documents, found in the Book of Discipline, encompass the basic tenets of the two denominations that merged in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church.

Some webinar participants cited the General Rules and Wesley’s theology of God’s grace, while others mentioned the practice of “conferencing”; accountability; “singing our faith”; and “living a Christlike life.”

Results thus far

The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai said that thus far, eight study groups or annual conference delegations have held discussions using the “Out of Chaos” study guide. Some 57 individual United Methodists have responded to the Internet survey, which will remain online until Dec. 31. Webinar participants were directed to the survey when the session ended.

To date, Ms. Bigham-Tsai said, survey respondents have said they want The United Methodist Church to be “more vital,” “a visible witness to God’s unconditional love,” “open and affirming,” “welcoming and forgiving.” Structurally, respondents have said they want the UMC to set up ways to support diverse ministries that meet the needs of local contexts and to connect regions of the church for mutual support.

A group of youths and young adults from Tanzania and Tanganyika submitted a statement saying they want The United Methodist Church to be “unifying, caring, sanctifying, respectful and conversational” and to foster “healthy relationships.” In response, Molly McEntire, a young adult General Conference delegate from Florida, said that most of her friends have left the church, turned off by the constant political wrangling at General Conference.

“[My friends] want the church to be a place that welcomes people, especially those people who’ve been rejected by the church,” she said. “They want to see the church show the redemptive love of Jesus.”

Ms. McEntire suggested that webinar participants ask people why they left The United Methodist Church to gain a clearer picture of how the church might reform itself.

In response to a participant’s question, Ms. Bigham-Tsai reiterated that “Out of Chaos” isn’t promoting any legislative proposal about the UMC’s future, including the “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation.” The Protocol, as it’s known, is an independently negotiated agreement to divide United Methodism, mediated among representatives of various UMC factions in late 2019. The Protocol was to have been voted upon at the 2020 General Conference postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Rev. Jay Williams, Ph.D., senior pastor of Union United Methodist Church in Boston, discounted the viability of the Protocol at the 2021 General Conference “if it takes place at all [due to the ongoing pandemic].”

“I can’t see why we would bring any legislation written 18 months ago to the 2021 General Conference,” said Dr. Williams. “We want to live into a newness of vision for the church.”

Ms. Schneider said the writing team for “Out of Chaos” will use responses from the Dec. 1 webinar and the online survey to revise the group’s original vision statement and create a “vision map” for future action.

“It won’t be a final statement; this is a vision in process,” Ms. Schneider said.

“Out of Chaos – Creation” is funded independently by its participants. Contributions for its continued research may be sent via PayPal to outofchaos1@icloud.com.

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.