An article for the May 2019 Newsletter of the Western Methodist Justice Movement (WMJM). The WMJM link is no longer active, but this link is similar.
By Ben Roe
The Judicial Council has ruled on the constitutionality of the actions of the General Conference held in St. Louis February 23-26, 2019. In the wake of these events, a number of pastors, churches, seminaries, organizations, conferences, and even confirmation classes have expressed their disagreement, dissent, and/or non-compliance with these decisions. One UM leader has said that The United Methodist Church in the United States is “imploding,” and, changing metaphors, “the plug has been pulled on life support.”
Many progressive United Methodists in the U.S. and Europe have been feeling dismay and sadness at the outcome of the General Conference of 2019 and the subsequent confirmation by the Judicial Council of most of the decisions made there. The statements of disagreement, dissent, and non-compliance come with explanations of a vision of “church” which is in stark contrast to the official actions. The words “revolt” and “revolution” come to mind, given the number and strength of the expressions of disagreement.
A good overview of the aftermath can be found in Heather Hahn’s article for United Methodist News Service, “Court rulings escalate talk of church split” found here on the Web.
A significant percentage of American and European United Methodists want their church to be inclusive of all who have felt the nudgings, the outright call, and/or push of God on their lives (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and non-binary persons). Another way to put it is just simply, “All are welcome, and ‘All’ Means All!”
You can find on our web site, WMJM.org, a large collection of links to statements, resolutions, news stories, and actions by those who are registering their disagreement and even refusal to comply with any
of the exclusionary and punitive church laws which go into effect in the U.S. on January 1, 2020. These are inspiring witnesses to what progressive Methodists believe “church” is all about. It presents a stark contrast to the legalistic, punitive, and exclusive vision of traditionalists which is based on biblical literalism and religious tradition.
There will be opportunities in the months ahead for activists to support the birthing of a new Methodist Movement, one that will be likely based on John Wesley’s experience of “grace, grace, and more grace,” and all four sources of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral for theological and ethical reflection—and full inclusion of all those who respond to God’s call and claim on their lives.
The Quadrilateral is the name for the four sources that Wesley said should be used for theological reflection: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. A good collection of articles on the sometimes controversial Quadrilateral can be found here.
You are encouraged to read, watch, and/or listen especially to the statements from the Western Jurisdiction Leadership, the College of Bishops, Conferences, Boards of Ordained Ministry, and pastors in the West at this address: https://wmjm.org/web/events/gc-2019/236-gc19-fallout-conferences-pastors-churches-speak-out
Ben Roe is on the Executive Team for WMJM. He Serves as Web Servant for the WMJM & Mountain Sky United Methodist Foundation.