A New Hope

by

After 26 years of writing about the seamy underbelly of The United Methodist Church, I'm delighted to report that at last I have hope for the future of the denomination. My hope is built (to turn a phrase) on the writings of some rising young clergy who are rooted in the gospel and unashamedly devoted to connectionalism in the true Wesleyan tradition. And thanks be to God, the Internet makes their inspired thinking and spiritual devotion available to everyone.

United Methodist Insight readers get some of the best of these folks in this week's issue. The Rev. Jeremy Smith of "Hacking Christianity," the Rev. Ben Gosden of "Covered in the Master's Dust," and the Rev. Drew B. McIntyre of "Uniting Grace" have all weighed in on the latest push by schismatic forces in United Methodism to tear apart the denomination. (I can't help thinking that John Wesley, who reputedly never had an unpublished thought, would wholeheartedly approve their efforts).

It's a rare and thrilling privilege to amplify their online contributions through UM Insight. It's why this forum was born almost 2-1/2 years ago – to provide a comprehensive source for United Methodist leaders and influencers at all levels of the church to hear from voices that are often overlooked and marginalized in the denomination's rigid structure.

Even more hopeful, Jeremy, Ben and Drew represent the tip of the iceberg of younger clergy leading the church into a more compassionate, more inclusive, more Christ-like future. They're linked to a wider circle of young thinkers and writers who are shaping the church over the Internet. Among those that UM Insight has had the opportunity to feature are the Rev. Becca Girrell of Vermont, who with Jeremy coordinates the #DreamUMC chats on Twitter; the Rev. Evan Rohrs-Dodge of New Jersey and the Rev. Stephen Fife of Louisiana, who join Drew in curating the collaborative blog, Via Media Methodists; and the Rev. Laura Felleman of the Great Plains Conference, a deeply spiritual voice exploring "ancient-new" understandings of Christian faith on her blog Methodist Doctrine, Spirit, Discipline. Dr. David W. Scottbrings worldwide Methodism into focus through curating the collaborative blog, UM & Global, for the United Methodist Professors of Mission.

Fortunately, given the UMC's power structure, these younger voices are joined by more seasoned saints in the church who are calling for reconciliation and reform, not division. Chief among these are people such as the Rev. Dan R. Dick of Wisconsin, one of the denomination's finest thinkers and authors who blogs at United Methodeviations; the Rev. Christy Thomas of North Texas, a recently retired clergywoman now free to write truth to power at her blog, Thoughtful Pastor; and the Rev. Tim McClendon of South Carolina, a district superintendent with a deeply pastoral heart, who blogs at A Potter's View. While it's always dangerous to call a roll for fear of missing someone, these writers are the most consistent in bringing before United Methodism the issues of world and spirit that challenge us in our time.

Alongside the hope represented by these and other United Methodist writers that we feature on UM Insight, I carry a dread that entrenched, polarized leadership will yet destroy The United Methodist Church before we can heed the wisdom of our visionaries. To our shame, we're fighting the same old battles for institutional power under the guises of faith. That much is evident from the recent press releases from the Good News movement and an ad hoc group of some 60 large-church pastors, all of which seem hell-bent on holding the denomination hostage through their purse strings and the threat of schism.

These tactics aren't new, my friends. They've been around for the 46 years that The United Methodist Church has existed as a denomination. We've all seen it before. What's different this go-round is that brave young clergy are confronting these schismatic forces with hard facts, reasoned arguments and a larger measure of grace and prayer than the divisive forces have demonstrated within my memory. And their refutations are getting wider notice than ever, thanks to the open publishing environment of the Internet.

United Methodist Insight's role is to watch for these folks who are shaping the denomination's future and to bring them to the attention of those currently in power and those who feel powerless. In a very real sense, Insight's work is sacramental – pointing to where we see God at work in our world and encouraging us to keep faith with one another as we discern the path God wants us to take. Personally, I give thanks that today there are so many perceptive guides pointing the way. Here's hoping we heed them with our hearts, minds and souls.

Update: Jeremy Smith informs me that I prematurely aged his seminary classmate David W. Scott. "He writes like a 'mature saint' but he's my age!" says Jeremy. David replies cheekily: "Yes, I was Jeremy's padawan (a Jedi apprentice) in government when we were in seminary!" Accordingly, I've moved David up with his younger cohorts and changed "mature saints" to "seasoned saints." Mea culpa.

United Methodist Insight Coordinator Cynthia B. Astle has been a professional journalist for 41 years, specializing in reporting on The United Methodist Church since 1988. Her work has won numerous national and international awards from the United Methodist Association of Communicators, the Associated Church Press and secular journalism organizations.