The State of the UMC
By Darryn Hewson
I feel like I have to begin with a disclaimer about the United Methodist Church which is that no one person is allowed to represent the Church, not bishops, generals secretaries, or even those “representatives” who serve on the National and World Councils of Churches. So, whatever I have to say really just comes from me. I point this out to be clear that this is my position.
The one body that can speak for the Church is the General Conference and we are nearing a special session of the General Conference that will determine the future of the Church. I have no idea what will be decided at next year’s General Conference; and in many ways, not knowing feels like the state of the Church as well. I could spend my word count here trying to summarize the plans that have been put forth by the Council of Bishops and the task force assigned to come up with a way forward; but at this point, they are just concepts. None of the current plans could survive the General Conference and certainly, none will without being adjusted.
In reality, the church could and probably should become more regionally distinctive but that split will likely be one that maintains a version of unity while recognizing the different ideologies and contexts that have perhaps always been present. That sounds nice because it is not a full split but it is also a way for the Church to remain murky when it comes to its stance on social issues, most prevalently in regards to the LGBTQ community.
I wish I could say that the Church will just choose who it is going to be but I find that unlikely. What is at risk is the very foundation of a global church that has resisted—for all these years—becoming a regionally-separate and distinct church. One of the most important things about Methodism is this ideal of one church in many places. Up until now, the UMC, AME, and most of the Pan Methodists have upheld. With groups like Good News and Reconciling Ministries representing large factions within the UMC, perhaps that ideal is a façade anyway. It may be what gives the hope that good things can happen by being a global church like the work of the UMCOR and UMVIM and can still happen no matter what the General Conference decides.
The view of many is that the past two General Conferences have failed to really make any decisions which makes it hard to feel like this special session will do much either. How local churches and pastors feel about things is probably as regionally distinct as their stance on social issues. Speaking from the west, there is a sense of frustration; and at the same time, there is an indifference that feels a bit sad. Sad because in a progressive West, there is a feeling that the larger church is turning people away and not living up to its own statement that all people are of sacred worth. Indifferent because no matter what happens or fails to happen, they will continue to seek ways to “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, in all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.” Part of the issue is that those in other parts of the country and world feel they are doing the same thing.
In the end, the best way to describe the state of the UMC really is one of not knowing. It is not knowing who it is or what will become of the third largest denomination in the US. Anything is possible and hope is the foundation for people of faith. So, why not live in that?
Dr. Darryn Hewson spends much of his time learning about and experiencing first-hand the traditions ofothers. His doctoral work focused on worship as a form of dialog and creating sacred spaces. He has worked with Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and others all over the world, trying to help people understand what is most important in their relationship to an infinite God. His mission is to build bridges across the things that divide us, doorways through the barriers that separate us, and windows into the knowledge that can erase the ignorance of hate and fear between us.
