How Do We 'Re-invent' United Methodism? What about Love?

November 28, 2022

4:49 PM

Loving

There’s a new, thriving cottage industry on both sides of the theological and political divide in contemporary Methodism: books, articles, and essays on how to reinvent our United Methodist denomination. For those of us committed to hanging around, the question seems to be, “how do we keep transforming the world and making disciples?” considering Methodism’s failure to stay united.

Most of what I read is being interpreted within this larger framework. At some point, we need to own our mistakes. We all screwed up. Everyone last one of us played a role in running this ship aground. An eloquent prayer of confession delivered at the next General Conference isn’t going to do the job. Much has gone wrong, and those committed to remaining United Methodist need to talk about what it means to be a united church. Pretending everything’s okay, but we’re just a smaller version of what we were, is not going to work. If we keep doing the same thing and expect different results, no matter how progressive our theology is, today’s United Methodist Church will keep splitting into smaller and smaller constituencies. What are we going to do? After the bishops are elected, and the disaffiliation votes are taken, we must keep talking amongst ourselves.

What does United Methodism (and Christianity, for that matter) need to do to survive? I have no power, and I’ve never been elected to delegate to anything. However, here’s an idea:

We don’t need to make the world more Methodist.

We don’t make the world more Christian. It’s nearly impossible to discern the difference between making the world more Christian and Christian nationalism.

What if, instead of looking for disciples to make or souls to save, we looked for people to love?

I don’t mean to love them with the agenda of saving their souls and putting them on a committee but to love them and leave it at that. We could be a church that loves people because they are worthy of love and no other reason other than that’s who God made them to be. The world doesn’t need to be transformed by Methodists. The world needs to be loved by Methodists.

It’s an idea. I don’t know if it’s the right idea. I’d sure be willing to give it a try.

Comments (3)

Comment Feed

End the Culture War, back to basics!!

Wesley gives us the blueprint for getting back to our core mission. Smaller in some instances is better. We need to focus less on growing big booming congregations and more on building our facilities into unique organizations that meet specific needs. For some parishes, this will involve building affordable housing on their campuses and integrating smaller worship spaces within them. But...guess what...that new housing may have a workout facility, daycare, and other businesses non-profits that the congregation could use and bless the community with. Or...congregations on busy streets could turn unused space into coffee cafes, restaurants, or gasp...pubs where ministry can take place within a third space.

Or...we get back to running schools, clinics, and other nonprofits. Or a dedicated fitness space... we have to accept that the models of 50s-00s. These strategies worked during their times but we have to accept that they no longer work. But GOOD NEWS GOD IS DOING A NEW THING IF WE CAN GET onboard with it.

We need to end the failed culture war and get back to being Jesus again!

Eric 55 days ago

Adhering To Principles of 1000s of Years Is NOT a Mistake

UMC has succumbed to a liberal, totally unacceptable code of acceptance. We of tradition have, in most cases, welcomed homosexuals to our pews, without sharing their views. To grant all that UMC is advancing is ENDORSING that lifestyle. There is no center for compromise. Go your own way.

Reese 56 days ago

What's love got to do with it?

The reorganization of the post-separation UMC focused on advancing a largely secular left-wing liberal social/political agenda that is common to what is held by many completely secular non-governmental organizations. If love is to be more than merely a pablum, it will have to be seen as root issues of our relationship to God are addressed, i.e., sin, salvation, holiness, etc.

bthomas 58 days ago