As you have probably heard, a diverse group of individuals from across The United Methodist Church unanimously reached a proposal for a future separation of The United Methodist Church. These individuals represent a broad spectrum of theological and social positions as well as geographic locations. The Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation still needs to be adopted by delegates to General Conference in May 2020, but at the moment, this is an important step as we try to figure out how to be the church and a witness of God’s love in our world today.
The Protocol would:
• Maintain The United Methodist Church intact.
• Allow local churches and annual conferences that choose not to remain affiliated with The United Methodist Church to leave, while maintaining their property, assets, and liabilities.
• Commit $39 million to racial and ethnic inclusion and anti-racism work.
• Convene the first session of the post-separation United Methodist Church, perhaps before leaving Minneapolis in May, to create four regional conferences.
• Allow for the first session of the newly established North American Regional Conference to act on proposals to remove prohibitive language regarding LGBTQ clergy and weddings. In the meantime, signers to the Protocol have agreed to abeyance on complaints against clergy for related offenses.
In the press release, it was stated that “The Protocol anticipates the formation of a new traditionalist Methodist denomination… Churches wishing to stay within the UMC would not be required to conduct a vote.”
I confess that while I do believe this is a very grace-filled way to move into the future, grief and hope mingle together in my heart.
As I have prayed about all of this, I was reminded of a Winnie The Pooh story:
"We are all going on an Expedition," said Christopher Robin.
"Going on an Expotition?" said Pooh eagerly. "I don't think I've ever been on one of those. Where are we going to on this Expotition?"
"Expedition, silly old Bear. It's got an 'x' in it."
"Oh!" said Pooh. "I know." But he didn't really.
"We're going to discover the North Pole."
"Oh!" said Pooh again. "What is the North Pole?" he asked.
"It's just a thing you discover," said Christopher Robin carelessly, not being quite sure himself.
"Oh! I see," said Pooh. "Are bears any good at discovering it?"
"Of course they are. And Rabbit and Kanga and all of you. It's an Expedition. That's what an Expedition means. A long line of everybody.”
I have come to believe that the Christian life is meant to be an expedition of a long line of everybody. Not an expedition of somebodies or certain bodies, not an expedition that invites some people in and leaves others out, but one in which all are welcomed. The invitation is meant to be sent out to everyone on the highways and byways of life and an outstretched hand is extended to every body.
This is the great hope my faith rests on: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (I Corinthians 12:13)
I ask you to join with me in praying fiercely for our church and to hold in tender care those who feel they will need to separate from the larger body. Pray for our delegates, who will be receiving this protocol. Pray for all those who are lost, lonely, broken and afraid who are looking for love, light, healing and hope. Then rise from your knees to be emboldened to extend a hand to everyone to join us on this Expedition to which God has invited us.
With love,
Bishop Karen