Clergy Journal Offers Views on Separation Plans

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UMC Future

Circuit Rider, a digital publication for United Methodist clergy, is devoting its current issue to interviews with representatives of the various separation plans scheduled to come before General Conference 2020.

Available from the United Methodist Publishing House, the issue titled "The Future of Methodism" includes articles from:

  • Outgoing Council president Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr., and incoming Council president Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey,
  • Bishop Rudy Juan of the Philippines,
  • The Rev. Thomas Lambrecht of Good News, 
  • The Rev. Sungho Lee of the Korean American Ministry initiative;
  • Laywoman Karen G. Prudente, representing the Christmas Covenant,
  • The Rev. Dr. Fred Allen, immediate past director of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century;
  • Two articles the N.E.W. Plan, one authored by the Rev. Alka Lyall, the Rev. Jay Williams, the Rev. Alex da Silva Souto, Joy Butler, Cameron Overton, M Barclay and Kyle Walden, and a second written by Nate Nims;
  • Jan Lawrence, executive director of Reconciling Ministries Network representing the negotiators of the "Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation;"
  • The Rev. Junius B. Dotson, top executive of Discipleship Ministries, representing the UMC Next plan; and
  • The Rev. Lovett Weems Jr., distinguished professor of church leadership emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary, on how GC2020 delegates should make decisions, and
  • Retired Bishop Will Willimon, an opponent of separation.

Some of the articles were written before the "Protocol" was announced. Otherwise, the package offers a good range of viewpoints on the possibility of breaking up the UMC. Definitely worth a look.

A pastor responds to traditionalists' gathering

After traditionalist United Methodists held a big – like 1,000-participants big – rally in the North Alabama Conference about the potential new denomination centered in the Wesleyan Covenant Association, one of the pastors there asked the local website, AL.com, for a chance to respond. This week Uniting Methodists quoted from the article by the Rev. Joe DeWitte, pastor of Pinson United Methodist Church:

"The United Methodist Church will remain a place where both traditionalists and progressives worship and serve side-by-side. The UMC continues to discover that our church is big enough (because our God is big enough) to include people who disagree on matters that are not creedal.

"... We believe that our differences help us all to sharpen ourselves and grow together. I do not believe the WCA has a monopoly on traditional orthodoxy, because I know of too many faithful, traditional, orthodox, United Methodists who plan to remain United Methodist. And I am most grateful to be a part of a church that welcomes them, and the faithful progressives, as we sit down at Jesus’ table together knowing that it is only Him that unites us. And Jesus is enough."

Media Mentions as of Feb. 6, 2020

United Methodist Church faces potential split – FSC Southern

St. Pete's Rev. Andy Oliver practices 'ministry without fear' – Tampa Bay Times

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