New UMC: More Hopeful Than Ever

by

June 6, 2023 

A little over a year ago, I wrote a piece on Oboedire entitled, “A Future Filled With Hope” (4/6/22). Today, I return to this conviction, to say I am more hopeful than ever about the new, emerging, future United Methodist Church. In this post, I will mention some of the reasons for my conviction. I name them briefly today.

First, we are moving into the vision of what we intend to be. We are reigniting the mindset that’s necessary for our journey into the future. Declaration is replacing debate. We are regaining the energy of being proactive rather than reactive. We are moving along the Wisdom Pattern (Richard Rohr’s book) from the old order, through disorder, into the new order—what many today call the beloved community, incarnate in Jesus’ life, ministry, and teaching. Like the Wesleys and early Methodists, we are envisioning a church where Micah 6:8, Matthew 22:34-40, and Galatians 5:22-23 define and direct our holiness of heart and life.

Second, we are advancing with a movement mentality. I wrote about this on Oboedire on April 22, 2022. I will not repeat what I wrote then, but only say that I see the movement mentality increasing. More people are saying, “We cannot go back to the way things were.” The old wineskins will not hold God’s new wine in this time of awakening (Isaiah 43:19). The new UMC will not be without structure, but it will no longer feed and foster sacred cows. Renewed faith is renewing forms.

Third, we are electing people who are new-creation leaders. I could name a number of them, but they would be the first to resist being singled out. More nearly, they see themselves as representative of an emerging cadre of clergy and laity who are willing to take risks, absorb opposition, and press on “to the things that lie ahead.” They are putting their hands to the plow and not looking back. They know that’s how you plow straight and deep.

Fourth, we are engaging the resourcing mandate that’s essential. When St. Francis heard the words, “Go, rebuild my church,” he heard it at the foundational and formational levels. I rejoice to see the United Methodist Publishing House, United Methodist Communications, Discipleship Resources, The Upper Room, and other agencies playing the necessary role of rooting the new UMC in the Wesleyan tradition and forming disciples who “grow in grace” along the Wesleyan way.

Finally, at least for now, we are seeing a new generation of younger laity and clergy leading us into God’s future filled with hope. As an elder, I watch with joy as I find one young person after another saying, “it’s my turn,” and stepping out to lead the new UMC in ways us “older folks” simply cannot do. A new group of mystic-prophets is running the race set before them with spirit, skill, and courage. I want to be in their cheering section.

So….taken together, these things (and others) make me more hopeful than ever about the emerging UMC. God is indeed giving us a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).