- Four, Three, Two, One: Four Words, Three Rules, Two Standards, One Grace
by William B. Lawrence
August 19, 2019
UM-Insight Editor's note: This text comes from Rev. William B. Lawrence's presentation to the gathering of United Methodist scholars April 7-8 at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas, Tex. The text may differ slightly from his oral presentation. The accompanying photos are taken from presentation slides. Both text and images are republished here with the author's permission. The video of Dr. Lawrence's presentation can be viewed here.
[My note: The important speech may be read at UM-Insight.org, and is well-documented with footnotes. The introduction and a major conclusion is highlighted here. Please read the complete presentation or better yet, watch it at the link above. This presentation was presented at this event in Dallas. See also Bishop Oliveto's ruling of law.]
"As the people gathered for the General Conference, the mood was tense. Church growth in certain regions had brought cultural diversity and, with it, new challenges. A cohort of young voices wanted a say in the decision-making process. A powerful political bloc, with enough votes to dominate legislation, was poised to control the conference. Then, when a crucial item on the agenda passed by a small majority, the tensions in the conference exploded. Some participants began packing to head home. One lamented that this might be the end of the church."
That’s the way it was at the General Conference—in the year 1808.
Methodists coped with that crisis. They remained together as Wesleyans. They resisted the forces of division. They renewed the church by setting doctrinal standards. They reformed the body by taking actions, which protected church doctrine from a willful majority and protected ministers as well as members from being arbitrarily expelled. ...
...
The words “incompatible with Christian teaching” were more than a new phrase in the Social Principles and more than an attack on the General Rules. They violated two Doctrinal Standards.
The doctrinal damage was subtle and treacherous. The General Conference altered the two Doctrinal Standards of the church by inventing the phrase “incompatible with Christian teaching,” insisting that we must believe it, and basing church laws upon it. In a series of steps, stretching onward from 1972, those four words altered United Methodist theology and became a basis for nasty legislation.
...
Four words have threatened three Rules, violated two Standards of Doctrine, and...cut the indivisible grace of the Lord into pieces, based solely on human sexuality. In a painful progression, four words break three rules, violate two Doctrinal Standards, and reject the one grace of the one Lord. [Read or watch the presentation.]