Fracturing webinar
CENTENNIAL, Colorado | August 15, 2022
A team of leading United Methodist pastoral counselors will conduct a Zoom webinar addressing “Fracturing Family and Friendships; Inevitable Consequences of UM Splintering?” on Thursday, September 20, at 8:00 pm (Eastern). Sponsored by the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy and Friends (UMARC), free registration is at www.umarc.org
The Rev. Dr. Joretta Marshall, Emeritus Professor of Pastoral Theology and Care, Brite Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, will host a 90-minute conversation along with The Rev. Dr. Anne Gatobu of the Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas, and the Rev. Dr. Rolf Nolasco, Rueben P. Job Professor of Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care at Garrett-Evangelical Theological School, Evanston, Illinois. Rev. Gabotu is a native of Kenya, while Rev. Nolasco is originally from the Philippines.
Providing key perspectives will be two key United Methodist leaders, the Rev. Dr. Tim Bruster, retired senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, now on the staff of the Central Texas Conference, and Ms. Jan Lawrence, Executive Director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, Washington, D.C. Representing UMARC will be the Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer, UMARC Chair & President Emeritus, Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO.
Dr. Messer noted that John Wesley bluntly condemned church division such as the one currently being experienced in United Methodism, as traditionalists choose to leave the denomination. Calling separations “evil,” Wesley in his sermon “On Schism” declared that “to separate ourselves from a body of living Christians, with whom we were before united, is a grievous breach of the law of love.”
“Not only is disaffiliation a matter of church politics, financial questions, property battles, and theological disputes,” said Dr. Messer. “But long-time friendships and immediate families currently are being fractured, cherished church and community connections are being ripped apart, and our hearts are being broken, as our love grows “cold,” in the words of Wesley.
LGBTQ+ persons have long experienced rejection and broken relationships because of hostile responses to their sexual orientation by family and fellow church members. Now local churches and communities, as well as families, are experiencing unprecedented divisions and broken hearts.
UMARC is sensitive to the pastoral challenge facing so many persons as conflicts intensify with the schism occurring in our local churches and conferences. What can we do? How should pastors and local churches respond? Join in the webinar, ask questions, and share your experiences.
Donors and churches are invited to sponsor this free webinar. Tax-deductible gifts can be made via www.umarc.org or sent to UMARC, 7185 S. Niagara Circle, Centennial, Colorado 801112.
"Schism," means lacking "tender care for each other," . . . "an alienation of affection". . . "a division of the heart." (Wesley, "On Schism," I,7) “It is evil itself. To separate ourselves from a body of living Christians, with whom we were before united, is a grievous breach of the law of love. It is the nature of love to unite us together, and the greater the love, the stricter the union. . . . It is only when our love grows cold, that we can think of separating from our brethren. . . . The pretenses of separation may be innumerable but want of love is always the real cause; otherwise, they would still hold the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It is therefore contrary to all those commands of God; wherein brotherly love is enjoined." (John Wesley, (Wesley, “On Schism," II.1)
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