Is The United Methodist Church Like Twinkie?

by John Wesley Leek

November 17, 2012

6:31 PM

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YouTube Video

Big Twinkie

The "big Twinkie" scene from the movie "Ghostbusters."

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http://youtu.be/pzaQjS1JstY

Big Twinkie

Massive liabilities and collapse facilitated by inflexibility and outright denial of changing circumstances?

That sounds to me like the most pessimistic views of our United Methodist Church in America. They're true of Twinkie.

1. Hostess' structure is outdated.

2. It's saddled with past obligations which were made in good faith, but don't look possible going forward.

3. They lose market share and overall sales every year.

4. Everybody seems willing to change a little, but not enough to save the company (or heaven forbid find health again.)

The United Methodist Church offers a far better "product" (reconciliation w/ God and other people), but the principle is still the same.

People want that, their restless hearts cry out for that and they'll find "something," to feed that. In the case of Hostess, people will continue to desire awful for them junk food. The article above points out that another company may very well purchase the rights to their products and produce them like they have before, but their popularity will likely take another hit after the nostalgia wears off. People will get used to a substitute before then.

Likewise, there are many options for restless hearts. Many of those are "junk food" including consumerism and ways of faith that know nothing of a living Jesus. Thankfully, there are dozens of Wesleyan denominations, including a few that are growing!, that are also reaching people. There are also thousands of other denominations seeking to bring people to that place of freedom and joy through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.

I do believe the United Methodist Church is the best way to reach our nation and transform lives and communities. That's why I've chosen to seek ordination in our UMC and why I hope and pray that we find the active work of the Holy Spirit can dislodge us from a slow death to a living organization with new life!

Former political journalist John Wesley Leek is a student at Asbury Theological Seminary and a candidate for United Methodist ordination.

Comments (4)

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To Kim

You rightly note that it is easy, quite easy in fact, to criticize when it was possible to "build up."

I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment that we should celebrate that which is good first! That is why a majority of my writing on the United Methodist Church and individual congregations has been quite positive. You can find just a sample of them here: http://seedbed.com/category/evangelism-articles/

One of the things I had written over my desk at my last job was this: "tell the story of what God is already doing and invite people to join in." I'm excited to know that very thing has happened from my work.

I criticize our United Methodist Church only in hopes that I can impact her in a positive way. That's how I've operated as a writer for nearly ten years. I invite you, and others, to follow along at johnleek.com

John Leek more than 12 years ago

False

The description of Hostess financial condition is inaccurate. It was not the workers who created the mess at Hostess; it was outside investors who entered the company, raised their own salaries, forced through a series of policies designed to break the unions, then shut down the company because they had maximized their own return. Last year, Hostess made $9 billion dollars. This was not a company on the way out until outside management treated it like their own piggy bank. So, no, the UMC is not like a Twinkie.

Geoffrey more than 12 years ago

Condemning vs. Reality

I disagree with Kim's viewpoint. I would consider points 1 & 4 to be reality as opposed to condemnation. Didn't we just look at a restructuring plan? That seems to be clear evidence that there was a change needed at the structural level! Secondly the fact that the restructuring was voted down, shows there are some who are unwilling to change. I have pastored 6 small membership UM churches in my time, and have witnessed PLENTY of resistance to change. Also could it be that the ones who are writing are concerned, vocal, and invested in seeing the church continue to grow rather than fading into irrelevance to society. I know Jesus is NEVER irrelevant, but my challenge is to help our culture see that by connecting them to His story; and that is increasingly hard to do when people are as resistant to change as many Christians in modern mainline denominations are.

Rusty more than 12 years ago

Twinkie response

As a candidate for ordination, why would you write points 1-4?
Your negative thoughts should not be posted on Internet .
I never understand why Methodist that have a God given gift to write, too often use their gifts to condemn rather than build up .
Moreover , your remaining words that were somewhat positive were simply stated, too little, too late.

Kim more than 12 years ago