General Conference begins in about two months and once again the future of the denomination hangs in the balance. There are so many things we could being doing together, if we weren't stuck on the same old issues. These have been brought to the forefront again by Dean Synder, the pastor of Foundry UMC in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, their site is down at the time of this writing, so I'm relying on information from Locust & Honey. John's a trustworthy source, though I do prefer first-hand quotes.
My concern in this post is what the continue attacks on our church's rules means to us as a denomination. Beth Quick, a GC delegate asked on her blog, "What I'm wondering about it: do you see any possible way we could move forward from where we seem stuck as a denomination? "
As much as an uproar as Bill Hinson's suggestion that we seek an amiable separate caused as the last GC, I personally don't see any other real alternative.
I've yet to figure out why "liberals" want to stay in a denomination that holds to convictions that are in such opposition to their own convictions. How does one reconcile their own personal beliefs with the church's beliefs that are completely opposite? I guess the answer is found in Dean Synder's decision to simply ignore, okay, circumvent is a fairer word, the church's rules. Do not all UM clergy promise to "keep our rules" when they are ordained? Is this vow meaningless?
There's so much that liberals and conservatives can learn from each other however, there are certain issues which are beyond reconciliation. The sooner we face up to that reality the better off all of us will be.
i wish that we wouldn't get into liberal conservative divides... if gc becomes that then we are no longer a church and a political system and we might as well divide. that would be good business for sign makers.
Posted by: gavin | February 18, 2008 at 12:08 PM
I would agree with you -- and ask the same question: why do the extremes on either side even want to stay? I can't imagine that it gives them joy to stay in such internal conflict.
Prayer. Lots and lots of prayer -- for our denomination and for our churches.
Posted by: rev mommy | February 21, 2008 at 06:49 AM
I sometimes think that the "power" and money keeps the "liberals" (I hate lables) pushing. There is a lot of "lobby" power in an orginazation of our size. If we split it would be an ugly divorce - no one would be happy, especially the children.
Posted by: Frank in Minn. | February 21, 2008 at 09:29 AM
I think Dean has already started the process of division. They talk unity, but then act in a divisive way. Dean is good at saying one thing and doing another. In his church following scripture and the Discipline is secondary to doing what is right in his own eyes
Posted by: Craig Moore | February 21, 2008 at 10:44 PM