
British soldiers
British wounded are helped to an aid station in Bernafay Wood in World War I. (Wikimedia Commons Photo)
Recently, the Council of Bishops discussed how to “walk alongside” congregations (and ongoing congregations) regarding the future of the United Methodist Church. That was the headline from a United Methodist News Service story. Aren’t we past the point of using clichés like “walk alongside” to describe the Council of Bishop’s inability to mediate the decline and fall of the United Methodist Church? What more discussions are to be had? We’ve hit the iceberg, the ship is sinking, and those who are crewing the ship are refusing to tell the clergy to find a lifeboat. It’s over. We’re done.
No one is walking alongside the rank and file clergy who believe in equality. No one is helping me explain to our LGBT members that one day; their church will not be harmful and hurtful. I can’t make that explanation because I’d be lying. There’s no form of the United Methodist Church, as currently constituted, that isn’t emotionally harmful to these members of our church family.
To preach the politics of Jesus is to guarantee solitude in the pulpit. In these toxic times, “walking alongside” is code for keeping a safe distance from the dangerous nature of the gospel. News articles are a poor means to convey intended support. It hurts my feelings to think that after all this time; the Bishops want to “walk alongside.” What does that mean? I’ll tell you: it means nothing. We’re on our own. No one is coming for help.
If we’re going to do this, make a progressive mainline denomination out of the ashes of United Methodism, unqualified support must come from the top. The fence riding, doublespeak, “well, we don’t know” fence-riding has got to end. People’s lives are in the balance. You’re hurting the people who are on your side.
In the same way, conferences, polemics, and good ideas from well known national speakers will not save what’s already broken. It’s time to do something grand and dramatic. Telling ourselves how right we are and open to moderation is not the solution. Moving on with our lives and our ministry is the answer.
The Rev. Richard Lowell Bryant serves as pastor of Ocracoke United Methodist Church on Ocracoke Island on North Carolina's Outer Banks. This post is republished with the author's permission from Medium.com.
Comments (6)
Comment FeedI think this trope is played
Robert W. Ives 203 days ago
So don't walk alongside
Kevin 205 days ago
stumbling alongside ...
Wayne 206 days ago
When do you want to get together
Joan Wesley 201 days ago
"Political Correctness"
George Nixon Shuler 200 days ago
Corrected Politics
bea 199 days ago