Next Steps for United Methodism

by

Special to United Methodist Insight

Recently, I have linked through the internet with a new friend in Texas who, oddly, has the same name as I do! It turns out she’s from my state of Delaware and we have much more in common than our name and state. She is a committed United Methodist and, like many in her state, is participating in a start-up church created from the remnants of disaffiliating churches in the Houston area. It’s no secret that much of the news coming out of the United Methodist denomination these days has been negative so it’s good to hear these stories of the new rising from the old

During our online conversations I discovered that the new church was called Mosaic and that they were creating an art piece made of shards of glass from members of their new community. I love a good ritual or community creation so the idea of a piece crafted by a group of people who were taking the grief of loss and producing something beautiful is appealing to me.

I happened to know that at Barratt’s Chapel, the cradle of Methodism in America, there was some broken glass from a window in the chapel.

Historic chapel

Barratt's Chapel, Frederica, Delaware, is the oldest surviving church building in the United States built by and for Methodists. In 1784 John Wesley sent his friend Thomas Coke to America with instructions to find Asbury and to discuss with him the future of American Methodism. Coke came to Barratt's Chapel on Sunday, November 14, 1784, expecting to find Asbury.

As Wesley's personal emissary Coke was invited to preach. During the sermon Asbury arrived. Coke came down from the pulpit and embraced him. A star in the floor of the Chapel commemorates this historic meeting. During this service the sacraments of baptism and communion were administered for the first time by ordained Methodist clergy. Following the service, Coke and Asbury adjourned to the home of Philip Barratt's widow, across the field from the Chapel. That evening they formulated plans to call all the Methodist preachers together for a meeting in Baltimore on Christmas Day. At this Christmas Conference of 1784, the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized. 

Hearing the story of the new Texas church, I offered to send them a piece of the glass from one of the Barratt’s windows to include in their creation and thereby connect the history of Methodism with the future of the denomination. I’m eager to see the finished creation!

'We'll be better'

Happily, another church in my area took in twenty-one new members and did four baptisms on a recent Sunday. Some of the new folks were from nearby UM churches that had disaffiliated leaving groups of people who wanted to #StayUMC. Stories like these are popping up all over, bringing a renewed sense of hope to those affected by the splintering of the denomination. One commenter reflected “I really think we’ll all be better for it.”

I think we can all agree that we are all looking forward to less strife and divisiveness. Sometimes the best solution is to separate the warring parties so that we can concentrate on the mission of the church. Most of us are disappointed that it didn’t happen in a more organized fashion like the proposed "Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation" but we’re grateful that it’s happening at all.

So, what will happen to the remaining United Methodists? I don’t know but there are a number of things I hope will happen.

One the factors contributing to the disaffiliation is that many people who attended a United Methodist Church were not aware of what it means to be part of that denomination. When they found out about things like the Trust Clause and the Social Principles they felt as though they had been deceived. I’ve had more than one person respond to me with “I don’t want the money I donate to be used for liberal causes like The General Board of Church and Society espouses.”

This kind of reaction isn’t surprising since it seems as though very few pastors and church leaders have taught their congregations what The United Methodist Church stands for. Officially we are breaking up because of our views on the LGBTQIA+ community but anyone who has scratched the surface knows that it’s more than that. The disagreement has much more to do with how we interpret scripture and our lack of knowledge regarding what it means to be United Methodist.

Here are some ideas to get us started in the right direction. 

Read and teach history

First, every pastor, every single one of them, should read and teach the front part of our Book of Discipline and perhaps some other readings. Take the time and effort to learn the history of the denomination, including former splits and separations. Knowing that this is not the first time we have split is comforting. It’s good to know that each time, we have survived and even thrived.

Next, read and teach our constitution, especially Section III of the “The Restrictive Rules.” There have been many inaccuracies, some would call them lies, spread about what will happen to the theology of the UMC in the near future.

Some people who have been convinced to leave, believe that more progressive United Methodists will work to change the Articles of Religion to reflect such views as denial of the deity of Christ, the Holy Trinity or the virgin birth. A quick review of Section III would reveal that Article I of the Restrictive Rules states that “The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our Articles of Religion or establish any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine.”

By our own standards the Articles of Religion cannot be changed. Both clergy and laity who have spread those lies did so in order to confuse, frighten and manipulate their congregations so that they would follow them out of the United Methodist Church. They will have to deal with their own consciences and God’s consequences for their actions but they have revealed a weak spot in our administration of our churches that needs to be addressed.

Add the Social Principles

After that, the leaders of all United Methodist Churches should learn and teach our Social Principles. Of course, agreement with the Principles is not a requirement for attendance or membership but it is important to know what they are, since they are the basis for our denominational actions around the world. Knowing where we stand on issues like climate change, gun rights and abortion would avoid the “we’ve been duped” attitude that is so prevalent today. The United Methodist Church is not for everyone and that’s okay. Those who have major disagreements should choose not to join or perhaps even attend.

It’s likely that in the future the restrictive language surrounding human sexuality will be removed making same-sex marriage and ordination of gay folks something to celebrate. Our churches will remain places where some who stay will disagree with this stance.

Like many other topics, lockstep belief is not required but those who stay should know that when the change to the Book of Discipline happens, pastors are not obligated to perform same sex marriages or any marriages for that matter. When it comes to the appointment of pastors, the Appointive Cabinet would be foolish to appoint gay clergy to churches that object. This would not be a healthy situation for the pastor or the church so, although the chances are not zero, it is unlikely this will happen.

There has been some concern that pastors will be compelled to officiate same-sex weddings, but pastors are not required to perform any weddings at all and will continue to have ultimate latitude when agreeing to perform marriage ceremonies. Understanding that things will go on as per usual will, hopefully, calm the fears of those in the pulpit and the pew.

Uplifting development

One uplifting development has been the advent of Lighthouse Congregations who commit to being a safe space for those discerning their future. Each conference is setting its own standards for such churches but in general they seem to be willing to host people who are remnants of their disaffiliating churches. This is a Christ-like response to those who are grieving the loss of their former church and who need a space to decide next steps with support but no pressure.

Pastors and worship leaders should be aware that the pain of losing friends and spiritual relationships is real. Remaining in a state of righteous anger and not slipping into bitterness and animosity is difficult. Often the reality is that this split affects more than an institution. It divides families and long-term relationships causing intense grief and sorrow. Acknowledging and confessing those tender places are key to beginning the healing process.

Pastoral care starts with the pastor who must take great care of themselves so that they can gently but firmly guide their congregation through the development of whatever we are to become. The power of conversation and ritual cannot be understated in these circumstances.

Blessings to a glorious future.

The Rev. Sally Stewart is an ordained elder in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference of the United Methodist Church. She retired in 2022 and keeps busy doing pulpit supply, working for Barratt's Chapel , the cradle of Methodism, and helping churches explore their future. She has five grandchildren for whom she provides Uber services.