A Wesleyan View of Schism

"Do Not Rashly Tear Asunder the Sacred Ties which Unite"

Since May 2014, when a group of approximately 80 United Methodists released a public statement through Good News Magazine encouraging "a plan of separation" within the United Methodist Church, talk of schism has run rampant across the connection. While some have strongly advocated for 'amicable separation,' others have strongly denounced any form of division. To say the least, it would be the height of irony for the United Methodist Church to split, formally or otherwise (perhaps we could become the Loosely-United Methodist Churches).

Yet this issue is not new to Methodism. In 1844, schism tore through American Methodism, inflicting a deep wound which we are still recovering from to this day. While we formally bandaged the wound in 1939 with the union of the Methodist Episcopal Church and MEC-South, the sinful atrocity of the Central Jurisdiction was not disbanded until 1972. Even today, in 2015, the majority of United Methodist Churches in America are still unofficially segregated by race, with few cross-racial appointments or truly multi-racial congregations - a lingering symptom of that schism 171 years ago.

Even John Wesley, who lived a century prior to the schism of American Methodism, understood its threat and inherent evil. After considering the New Testament passages in which Paul writes against schism/division in the Body of Christ, Wesley writes,

"[Schism] is evil in itself. To separate ourselves from a body of living Christian, with whom we were before united, is a grievous breach of the law of love. It is the nature of love to unite us together; and the greater the love, the stricter the union. And while this continues in its strength, nothing can divide those whom love has united. It is only when our love grows cold, that we can think of separating from our brethren. And this is certainly the case with any who willingly separate from their Christian brethren. The pretences for separation may be innumerable, but want of love is always the real cause; otherwise they would still hold the unity of the Spirit in the bound of peace. It is therefore contrary to all those commands of God, wherein brotherly love is enjoined..."

Wesley looked at the history of Christianity and saw that time and time again, people with a lack of love for one another split apart the Church. It begins with forming parties, groups, and cliques, surrounding ourselves with people who only think like us and believe the way we believe. It is the security which comes from not having others challenge our reading of the Gospel, question the way we talk about God, or call us out for the way we live our lives. When we isolate ourselves in silos and speak about 'those people' without ever actually speaking to 'those people,' when lines are drawn in the sand and 'we' fight against 'them,' when the Church is broken into sides and factions, then "the love of many will wax cold." Numerous excuses are given for such separation and schism, but "want of love is always the real cause."

When "our love grows cold" and we consider separation and schism as a legitimate option, real and tangible consequences spring forth from our actions:

"And as such a separation is evil in itself, being a breach of brotherly love, so it brings forth evil fruit...But the ill consequences of even this species of schism do not terminate in the heart. Evil tempers cannot long remain within, before they are productive of outward fruit...From evil words, from tale-bearing, backbiting and evil-speaking, how many evil works will naturally flow!...A plentiful harvest of all the works of darkness may be expected to spring from this source; whereby, in the end, thousands of souls, and not a few of those who once walked in the light of God's countenance, may be turned from the way of peace, and finally drowned in everlasting perdition..."

When our hearts grow cold as love withers within, the sickness of schism that has infected our souls festers and grows into hateful actions and evil works which destroy our life together. "A plentiful harvest of all the works of darkness" begins to appear in our midst. We no longer simply harbor resentment towards those who think differently than us, but we begin to let those inward dispositions manifest themselves in outward actions. We treat others as less than human, refusing to acknowledge the image of God and good-ness which is within them (Gen. 1). We speak hate-filled words meant to attack a person rather than critique an idea. Our lives with each other and with God begin to fall apart.

"But how mightily does all this altercation grieve the Holy Spirit of God!"

It is God who weeps and mourns with divine tears when schism plagues us. Indeed, God has many times looked upon human hearts which have grown cold from a lack of love, grieving time and time again.

"These consequences are not imaginary, are not built on mere conjectures, but on plain matter of fact. This has been the case again and again within these last thirty or forty year: These have been the fruits which we have seen, over and over, to be consequent on such a separation."

As a pragmatist, Wesley does concede there are certain situations when one may separate from a group of Christians. If one is forced to commit idolatry or prevented from preaching the Gospel, then "the sin of separation, with all the evils consequence upon it, would not lie upon me, but upon those who constrained me to make that separation, by requiring of me such terms of communion as I could not in conscience comply with." Yet even in such cases, the evil of schism is still a sin which deeply grieves the heart of God.

"Suppose the Church or society to which I am now united does not require me to do anything which the Scripture forbids, or to omit anything which the Scripture enjoins, it is then my indispensable duty to continue therein. And if I separate from it without any such necessity, I am just chargeable (whether I foresaw them or not) with all the evils consequent upon that separation."

Wesley speaks a strong word of caution against such separation, for even those which he allows for should be carefully considered, lest the one separating be responsible for the consequences which follow. He ends with a compelling exhortation to all who would separate from a Christian community to which they have been united,

"Do not rashly tear asunder the sacred ties which unite you to any Christian society...if you are a living member, if you live the life that is hid with Christ in God, then take care how you tend the body of Christ by separating from your brethren. It is a thing evil in itself. It is a sore evil in its consequences. O have pity upon yourself! Have pity on your brethren. Have pity even upon the world of the ungodly! Do not lay more stumbling-blocks in the way of these for whom Christ died."

As Jesus proclaims in the Gospel of Mark, "That which God has united let no person separate" (10:9). For some reason, God has seen fit over the years to unite the people called Methodists into a body known as the United Methodist Church. Overcoming centuries of division, separation, and schism, God has seen fit to join together a vastly diverse group of Christians into a body called United Methodism. Will any single action of the General Conference really force us to worship false idols or prevent us from preaching the Gospel? If so, then perhaps one may legitimately separate and divide the United Methodist Church. But if not, if there is any doubt in our minds, it is we who will bear the responsibility for the sin of separation. I believe Wesley's statement is true, "nothing can divide those whom love has united." But perhaps "our love grows cold"and we no longer care to remain united.  Yet even if the love of God wanes cold in our hearts, who are we to "rashly tear asunder the sacred ties which unite"?
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Read the full text of "Sermon 75 - On Schism" by John Wesley in the UM Global Ministries archives.

A Plea for the Ministry of All

“No Caste in the Church of God”

Gilbert Haven, The Methodist Episcopal Church

Adopted by the New England Conference. March 30th, 1867.

Three years ago we admitted to our membership a well known and able minister of our church, whose services in the local ranks made him popular and believed in many of our churches. But solely on account of his complexion, he could not be received by the charge he was sent, which even complained that its character had been damaged by having his name, only, thus officially connected with its own. No complaint was made of his abilities, which were unquestioned, and which, under other circumstances, they would have been proud and glad to have enjoyed as their own. They revolted from him solely because of the color of his skin. We do not say this to condemn them, but as a necessary ground for our appeal. They will yet be proud of having this first official connection of any white church in America with a colored minister. May it soon be renewed…

…We ask for his return, pledging ourselves to go upon circuits with him, if in no other way the churches could be induced to accept him as a pastor. 

But the time has come, in our judgement, when a yet more broad and just course should be pursued. We do not plead for this or any other brother in particular, but for all those whom God has called to his ministry; whom you would gladly recommend, and we would gladly admit to our Conference. We plead for risen and rising men of power, that are now shut out from the full exercise of divinely given endowments by the prevalence of this most unchristian prejudice. We entreat you to open your hearts and consent to the opening of your pulpits to their official ministrations. 

Our reasons for this entreaty are manifold. Be pleased to listen to a few of them:

First, The Spirit of the age demands it of us. Everywhere the chains of caste are falling. In India and England, in the South and the North man is beginning to see “brother” written in the face of him whom he lately loathed, and his heart is yearning towards him…Shall not our churches in their sphere be equally faithful and progressive? Shall we keep up barriers that are everywhere else disappearing?

Second. But we should do this because of its relations to our political duties. Our State has long since abolished all distinctions among its citizens of color…The United States is becoming equally true to principle, and in her late acts has completely abolished the whole iniquity of caste from national legislation. Shall the church wear these chains after the State has dropped them from her limbs? Shall she presume to look a minister of Christ in the face and reject him as her pastor, when the world around her will readily make him, its representative? If we would have any direct and ecclesiastical share in this divine work, we must hasten to avow our victory over this sin; our readiness to treat all of God’s ministers and people as one with us and one in the Lord.

Third. This is especially needed in view of our consistency as well as our relation to the work elsewhere. As a Conference, upheld, we rejoice to say, by our churches, for more than a generation we have plead with the church and the nation to abolish this iniquity of slavery. We have been in a minority often, and long, but have suffered and served till the church and the nation obeyed the voice of God and proclaimed his law. To-day we have been equally earnest in imploring the church to disregard all distinctions among her members and ministers based on color; to abolish separate Conferences, schools and churches; to fully and faithfully recognize and act up to the most evident will of God written in his word, in the hearts of his disciples, in the history of his church…

Fourth. But, lastly, the Spirit of God demands that we do this duty because of the brethren whom he has called to his ministry, and the souls he has filled with his salvation. They are trammeled and oppressed by our unbrotherliness…Put yourself in the place of these brethren. Bear their burdens in your feelings, thankful that you may thus fulfill the law of love. How would you feel if having been called of God to preach, knowing that it was not from men nor by men, but from the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father, if when you begin to fulfill your ministry, multitudes of your brethren, church upon churches should look with loathing upon you because of certain characteristics give you by God?…Such has been, such is their condition. So have they been hated and cast out by their brethren. So have their hearts been riven with anguish unutterable. The times of our ignorance God hardly winked at. Our dread chastisement was its legitimate punishment; and now every ear hears him call us everywhere to repent. Will you enable us to show our repentance by hastening to do the most just and brotherly work of welcoming all these ministers as our own believed kindred, like Christ himself, of our own body, of our flesh, of our bones? Will you assure our Presiding Elders that you are willing to accept brethren of this hue as your pastors? Ministers of talent, attainments and piety are waiting the opening of this door. Will you respond to this request of God, spoken in your conscience, spoken by his angel in the ear of all his churches, and invite them to come in? So doing, the Master who is with them will enter as never before into our temples and hearts…

I Am a United Methodist Because...

I wrote this blog for the Connectional Table at the end of this past summer. The original posting is here.
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If I were taking a multiple choice exam on United Methodism the first question might look something like this...

1. I am a United Methodist because:
     A. I was born, baptized, and raised in the United Methodist Church
     B. I have logically thought through United Methodist beliefs
     C. I have felt a strange warming of my heart which I can't logically explain
     D. All of the above

My first instinct would be to pick choice A...
Being a third generation Methodist on both sides of my family, I am proud to say that I was born and raised in a strong United Methodist home. Both my parents and grandparents were avid church-goers and I can't remember a single time in my life when I wasn't up at the church at least 2-3 times each week. While growing up both of my parents were youth ministers, so I was adopted into the club as an unofficial PK (Preacher's Kid) early on in life. I can remember receiving my third grade bible, being confirmed, and graduating from the youth program in United Methodist churches. I was one of those kids who was always up at the church, even when it wasn't officially "open." During Jr. High I was invited to serve in leadership on my local youth council and then on the North Texas Conference youth council. I then somehow wound up becoming involved in planning events with the South Central Jurisdictional Youth Team and eventually found myself in Berlin, Germany for the Global Young People's Convocation. All this to say, sometimes I think that perhaps I am a United Methodist simply because it's in my blood, I just can't help being one. Like the old saying goes, I'm a cradle Methodist born and bred...

But then my left-brain might kick in and pick choice B...
Unfortunately I didn't receive many of the creative genes in my family. I'm the funky left-brained child who likes organized calendars, formulated Excel sheets, and logical explanations for all of life's hard questions. Knowing this about me, it might make sense that I find the Wesleyan Quadrilateral to be fascinating! I'm not limited to the simple acceptance of what someone tells me Scripture and Tradition say, but the United Methodist Church encourages me to interpret these sources through my God-given gifts of Reason and the life which I and my worldwide community of faith Experience together. I'm encouraged to use my brain to think through the words of Jesus and ask questions like 'What does this mean for my life today?' I get to enter into holy conversations with people whom I don't see eye-to-eye with on social issues or matters of faith and embark together on a journey of seeking clarity and understanding. I'm encouraged to not only learn the doctrines of faith but to think for myself in a way that allows me to own my faith and not simply hold on to something I've blindly inherited from my parents and grandparents. And when I meet another left-brained United Methodist who, after embarking on a journey of holy conversations together, still does not see eye-to-eye with me on an issue, I am able to rest assured in the words of John Wesley that we can "think and let think" in "all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity." With my fellow United Methodists I can "agree to disagree" and still know that we are journeying along the same road which leads us to the All Knowing One, whose knowledge far surpasses our simple logical minds.

But then my heart feels a tug, and I lean towards choice C...
In his Journal, John Wesley once wrote

"In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for my salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."

Like most well-read Wesleyans, this is one of my favorite pieces of imagery from Wesley's writings. Just as John Wesley, I grew up in a Christian home, had parents who were ministers and taught me what it meant to be a Christian. I faithfully attended church each Sunday and had a deep love for the people who made up my extended church-family. However, it has been the unexplainable moments where I have felt the presence of God move within me which have meant the most in my faith journey.

• When I stood on the hilltop of Bridgeport Church Camp and watched the sun set behind that old rugged cross during worship, the hairs on my arms standing up as I felt the presence of God amidst this gathering of people I loved. I could feel God's love radiating around me and wrapping me up in a sea of grace
• When I gathered at sunrise in Duke Chapel every day for two weeks with the Duke Youth Academy Class of 2009 and listened to the words "In the Lord I'll be ever thankful, in the Lord I will rejoice! Look to God, do not be afraid! Lift up your voices the Lord is near! Lift up your voices the Lord is near!" echo through the chapel spires. While the rays of the morning sun shone through the stained glass windows warming my face the rays of God's presence shone through and warmed my soul. My spirit was fed through living in intentional Christian community for two weeks and I had many moments in which I felt the presence of God moving in my life, pushing me closer and closer towards Him.
• When I stood behind my mom as Bishop McKee laid his hands upon her head and charged her to, "take authority as a deacon to proclaim the Word of God and to lead God's people in the ministries of compassion and justice." In these moments I not only experienced tremendous pride and joy for my mom but had this strange sense of finding God's calling for my life. I could see myself standing in her shoes, beginning to understand with a new found sense of clarity the call to ordained ministry which God has placed on my heart.

In each of these moments I have felt something almost inexplicable pulling and tugging inside of me. It is a mix of joy and gladness, hope and inspiration, awe and reverence, warmth and love. It is the feeling of God moving in and through me and sometimes even despite of me. It is the sound of God calling me by name. It is in these moments that I most deeply feel the reason why I am a United Methodist.

So I'm only left with D. All of the Above
I return now to the first question posed on my multiple choice United Methodism exam. Why am I a United Methodist? Yes, it is because I am a cradle Methodist and have a passionate love for the United Methodist Church ingrained deep in my bones. Yes, it is because I can use my brain to think through the tough questions of life and have real conversations with people whom I don't agree. Yes, it is because I feel God calling my heart in a special and indescribable way. But it is not any one of these things alone...it is all of them combined. I am a United Methodist today because this tradition I was born into allows me to, as the great hymn writer Charles Wesley once wrote, "unite the pair so long disjoined, knowledge and vital piety."


Ricky Harrison is a lay member of the First United Methodist Church of Richardson in the North Texas Conference. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Religion at McMurry University in Abilene, TX and plans to continue his education by pursuing a Masters of Divinity after graduating in May. Ricky has been actively involved in both volunteer and professional Youth Ministry for the past ten years. He hopes to live out his vocational call by seeking ordination as a Deacon in order to serve the United Methodist Church in ministry with young people.

Proyecto Abrigo Mission Team - Juarez, Mexico

Friends,

This winter I have the privilege of leading a small team of folks on a mission trip to work with Proyecto Abrigo in Juarez, Mexico. After a two year period of not accepting any work teams, Rev. Jose Luis Portillo feels confident that it is again safe to host teams in Juarez! However, since the dormitories have been completely vacant for the past two years, there is much repair work which needs to be done before Proyecto Abrigo is ready to fully host teams. Therefore, I have assembled a small work team to travel down to Juarez over the winter break and spend a week working on maintenance and repair projects. Many pipes have frozen over during the harsh winters, strong rains have caused cracks to appear in the dorm walls and foundation, and a general lack of use and upkeep has led to a need for cleaning and a fresh coat of paint for all the buildings.

The total cost for all these repairs is $3,000 – approximately the equivalent to what it would cost to build a house. Since the team I’m leading is composed mostly of college students, young adults, and a few pastors, we do not have a host church which can help provide financial support for the trip. This is why I am reaching out to you, to ask your support of this team and of Proyecto Abrigo. There are three main ways by which you can support this team:

1.      Financial Donations – We are in need of sponsors to help fund these repairs. A financial gift of any size, $10 to $1,000, will be of extreme benefit to the team. Checks may be made payable to ‘FUMC Mabank’ and mailed to 501 S. Third Street  Mabank, TX  75147. Please include ‘Proyecto Abrigo’ in the memo line.

2.      Donate Medical Supplies – We will be driving a 15-passenger van and a truck down, leaving lots of space to carry medical supplies for the clinic. Expired prescriptions, empty medicine bottles, over the counter medicines, vitamins, and children’s cough and cold medicines are among the most needed supplies at this time of the year. For a more extensive list, please visit http://proyectoabrigo.org/ministries/clinic/

3.      Prayer – Please be in prayer for the team traveling to Juarez, for Jose Luis, the many ministries of Proyecto Abrigo, and all of our brothers and sisters in Juarez. We are thankful that the situation of violence is greatly improving, however there is still great need in the city of Juarez. There are still families who live in cardboard shacks, who work for pennies per day in the factories, and who can’t buy enough food to feed their families. I truly believe in the power of prayer and thank God each day for your faithful support of this ministry.

It is through your support that Proyecto Abrigo can again flourish and bloom – slowly moving back up to building over 200 houses every year! Your deep love and devotion to the many ministries of Proyecto Abrigo has been a continual blessing through the years. I want to extend my deep gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do to support this ministry. I hope that you will prayerfully consider how you might support the renovation team this winter so that Proyecto Abrigo might again start hosting teams during the spring break and summer months.

If you have any questions or would like more information about how you can help, please don’t hesitate to contact me either via email, phone, or FaceBook. To stay up-to-date on what is happening with Proyecto Abrigo, be sure to visit www.proyectoabrigo.org on a regular basis and subscribe to the monthly newsletter!

Thank you again for your faithful support of Proyecto Abrigo! Dios te bendiga!

In Christ,
Ricky Harrison
214-264-8303
ricky@mcyouth.org
www.proyectoabrigo.org

Peace to Leave, Peace to Believe

Leaving Oklahoma City was much different than leaving Tampa: Perhaps it was due to my stamina level being much higher after a four day conference compared to a two week conference - Perhaps it was because I didn't have final exams to greet me when I returned (after missing two weeks of class) - Perhaps I was looking forward to a three hour drive compared to a six hour flight process - Or perhaps there was something more...

As I sat on the plane and flew back home after General Conference I found myself processing a wide range of emotions: confusion, anger, frustration, anxiety, bitter sadness, dissapointment, all along with sheer mental and physical exhaustion. I found myself overwhelmed by these emotions and more as I attempted to process the two week long race that had just been run.

As I sat in the car and drove back hom after Jurisdictional Conference I found myself processing another range of emotions, but ones that were much different from my first list: Joy, hope, inspiration, along with more mental and physical fatigue. However, the single feeling that overwhelemd all others was a simple feeling of peace.

It started as a peace I could feel in the soles of my feet, the relief that comes when finally sitting down after a week of walking around in dress shoes. It then began to grow and develop into a a peace I could feel in the soul of my spirit, of my every being. After weeks and months of my spirit navigating unexpected twists and turns, being hurt and broken, and sorting through conflict and turmoil of every kind, this peace began to provide a balm for my soul. A peace that passes all understanding. A peace that can mend and heal. A peace that quieted my heart and provided room to sit still and just be.

Although I physically left Tampa over three months ago, I've found that it has been difficult to really leave General Conference behind me. I keep replaying conversations I had, committees I watched, votes I cast, and speeches I made in an attempt to understand what impact I made on The United Methodist Church. Did I help make the Church sustainable? Did I hold the Church accountable? Did I make sure that my children and grandchildren will have a United Methodist church to grow up in and love? Did I help pave the way for young leaders who come after me? Did I leave the UMC better than I found it? All these questions have run through my mind day after day for the past three months as I searched for a seemingly unattainable peace. A peace that might answer some of these questions and leave me satisfied, ready to step back and jump fully into the day-to-day ministry which really makes an impact in the world.

As this peace has begun to overwhelm my soul, I've found that it has allowed me to finally leave. To leave behind the unaswered questions and worries of General Conference, to leave behind the struggles and heartbreak experienced in North Texas, to leave behind my heavy burdens and simply return home. Return home to a God that loves me no matter how many times I put on my suit and tie, no matter how many times I percieve myself to have fallen short, no matter what I decide to do with my life. A love without conditions or requirements, with no strings attached. And not only do I return home to the embrace of God's unconditional love, but I return home to this beautiful incarnation of God's love lived out in my friends and family called the Church, my Church. Whether I find myself at Rockwall, Richardson, or Buckingham on a Sunday morning or Wednesday night, I know that there will be an overwhelming group of people gathered to love and support me, lifting me up and pushing me back out into the world.

Now that I've begun to leave my burdens behind, this peace has allowed me to believe again. Believe in lay people who serve food to the hungry, believe in pastors who visit the sick in the hospital, believe in district superintendents who nurture and care for those entering the ministry, believe in bishops who bring not only healing and wholeness to the Church, but boldly lead it out into a hurting and broken world. This peace has allowed me to believe that, despite our grit and grime, The United Methodist Church has much to offer the world, that people will connect with the Church, my Church, and find a home where they might acquire this peace as well.

So as I wrap up from a busy year, pack my bags, and in a few short weeks move back out to school, to some sort of 'normal' schedule, I am reminded of the words of Jesus as he prepared to send out his disciples:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.  -John 14:27

May you prepare to go, wherever it is God has called you, with the assurance that all may not be well, but all is at peace. May the peace of Christ overwhelm you from your soles to your soul, bringing you comfort, healing, and wholeness. Peace which enables you to lay your burdens aside and leave them far behind, diving head first into God's beautiful creation to serve the world, offering them the same peace Christ offer's each and every one of us. May you go with God.

General Conference Reflections: Fear and Distrust

The first night of the 2012 General Conference opened with a grand worship service. There were bright lights, cool graphics, beautiful music, abundant prayer shawls, and a moving sermon. One of the most moving moments in the service for me was the sight of all of our episcopal leaders, in full vestment, processing behind the cross down the center aisle to the front stage, where the hundreds of active and retired bishops were seated for the service and most of General Conference. It was a beautiful sight to see our clergy leaders, our spiritual shepherds, all gathered and seated in front of us. As I scanned the crowd of faces I saw many bishops who I knew or recognized, bishops which I held the utmost respect for and admiration of, bishops that I hoped and believed would lead our beloved United Methodist Church into the future with vision and purpose, bearing healthy and vibrant fruit.

That feeling of reverence, awe, and respect (and dare I add even trust?) for those we have lifted up into episcopal leadership only seemed to dissipate as the conference progressed. What quickly became clear to me is that we desire our bishops to lead the Church with a strong vision and prophetic voice, yet we fear giving them the power which would actually allow them to do so. This became most evident in the debate (no, not discussion, but debate) regarding the non-residential bishop and term limits for bishops. First, the Council of Bishops (CoB) submitted a petition which would allow for a non-residential president of the CoB. What began as an informed presentation by Bishop Goodpastor quickly digressed into an anti-Roman Catholic mud slinging contest on the floor. Charges of totalitarian Popery were casually thrown around, loaded with emotional and non-rational sentiments. What amazed me the most was not the uneducated remarks that were made publicly on the floor (such as those who didn't even know enough polity to realize we have a current president of the CoB), or the emotional anti-Catholicism which won out over reasoned arguments, but the overarching culture of fear and distrust which surrounded the entire mess. Needless to say, this petition did not pass.

Then, after the removal of guaranteed appointments had been passed on the consent calendar (to the suprise of many delegates), a piece was brought to the floor regarding the assignment of term limits for bishops. This piece called for bishops to be given an eight year term limit, with the option for one re-election at Jurisdictional Conference. The fear and distrust experienced in the non-residential bishop debate quickly reared its ugly head again. The debate was again filled with much emotional baggage and not enough rationale discernment.

I must say that I am all for holding our bishops accountable, and if we can end guaranteed appointments for clergy, then surely some form of this rule should apply to bishops as well. However, this particular piece of legislation which assigned term limits was not properly thought out, developed, and seemed more like an act of retaliation than a well though out system of accountability. I agree, if a bishop can't get their act together after eight years of service, then they shouldn't be serving in that capacity any longer. However, there was no thought given to what happens to current retired and active bishops, central conference bishops, or how Jurisdictional Conference would handle the sudden increase from electing two or three bishops each quadrennia to electing up to fourteen bishops each time in some jurisdictions. It seemed much more like an act of fear than one of rationale discernment.

Looking back, I am extremely surprised and disappointed at the broken relationship which exists between our bishops and the rest of the Church. As we are currently going through the process of nominating, interviewing, and in a few short months voting on new episcopal leaders, it amazes me that we do not trust the leadership we ourselves put into place. How do we expect to move forward as a Church if we won't even let the leaders we have put into place guide us?

Now I realize that there are bishops who are incompetent, ineffective, and/or just plain bad at their job, just like there are district superintendents who are incompetent, ineffective, and/or bad at their job, and pastors who are incompetent, ineffective, and/or bad at their job. If one has a bad bishop, DS, or pastor, then one year is way too long to live/work under them (not to mention much damage can occur) - But if one has a really good bishop, DS, or pastor, then ten years isn't even long enough!

So how do we begin to live into a system which holds all of us accountable? How do we have constructive conversations with a bishop when he/she is hurting instead of helping their flock? How do we work through problems that clergy and laity face so that we heal relationships instead of throw mud? How do we protect prophetic voices when they face angry criticism?

I believe it starts with living into a system where transparency and accountability are key. Secret messages are not delivered, back room rants do not occur, closed door bullying sessions are not tolerated. When problems occur, we address them openely instead of attempting to sweep them under the rug or totally ignoring them. When I make an off-handed remark that demeans those I'm angry or frustrated with, you call me out. We begin to forget the "other," that is so easily critiqued, and begin to address the individual, who is an imperfect human being. Offer advice. Take advice. Trust me. Trust others. Trust yourself.

Perhaps if we began viewing the relationship between bishops, district superintendents, pastors, and laity with less regard for our own well being and more for that of the "other," we might even begin to recognize the humanity on the other side of the mirror. Perhaps we might begin to love our bad pastor, incompetent district superintendent, and ineffective bishop so much that they can't help but listen, grow, and love with us. Perhaps we might realize that our neighbor looks a lot like this leadership figure we are completely fed up with. Perhaps we might begin to live fully once we have truly been able to love wastefully. Perhaps we might even find our way out of the wilderness of fear and distrust and maybe, just maybe, get a glimpse of the promised land which lies ahead.

This is not a call for blind trust or ignorant love. It is a call for loving accountability. Love me so much that you have no other choice but to hold me accountable - and let others do the same for you.

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"Let the Jesus in me, love the Jesus in you. It's easy, so easy, easy to love!"

General Conference Reflections: A Better Way

After seven months of intense preparation, I first landed in Tampa filled with excitement and energy. As I registered at the convention center and walked through the halls on the first afternoon I realized that I was among the best of the best when it came to United Methodist leadership. I felt this communal sense of a deep desire for change from our status quo, a desire to truly holy conference, a desire to listen and learn instead of debate and legislate. I went to bed that first night eager, excited, and hopeful that by the time I boarded the plane back to Dallas in two weeks, The United Methodist Church would be changed for the better.

It was during the debate over our Rules of Organization on Tuesday night when I began to realize that I might be wrong. After hours of debate on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, we were already off to a delayed start. Committee work then began late Wednesday morning and it quickly became clear that most committees were fairing no better than the precedent set by the rules debate. Although my Discipleship committee finished early and completed all of our legislation, we really had little to nothing of great weight or importance to deal with. Once my committee finished, my inner methodork kicked in, pushing me to sit-in and observe other committees at work. It was during this time that I had the chance to observe Church and Society II and General Administration. Since many people have written extensively about the disastrous downfall of the General Administration committee to recommend any type of restructuring, I will not examine that here. Instead, I want to highlight a God-moment which filled me with hope for the future of our United Methodist Church.

On Thursday afternoon I sat in on the Church and Society II sub-committee which dealt with the issue of human sexuality. This sub-committee, chaired by my good friend Andrew Ponder-Williams, a 21-year old lay delegate from Missouri, experienced what I considered to be a true moment of holy conferencing. This sub-committee was compromised of around thirty lay and clergy members from across the United States, from across the World, with different races, different ages, and vastly different theological perspectives: 21-75, American-Russian-African, Black-White-Hispanic, Liberal-Moderate-Conservative, Gay-Straight. This truly was a table where all voices were present.

Andrew began this particular afternoon session by holding up a very large stack of papers, giving everyone in the room the chance to see the sixty-one petitions submitted which dealt which paragraph 161.F, where the practice of homosexuality is declared to be, “incompatible with Christian teaching.” However, instead of jumping right into a piece of legislation, with passionate speeches, debate, and parliamentary procedure galore, the sub-committee began simply with a time of moderated discussion. Members were each given two minutes and asked to share their hopes, fears, dreams, concerns, questions, and stories around the issue of human sexuality. People began to share stories of hurt and stories of hope, stories that made everyone laugh and stories that made everyone cry, theological assertions and human realities. By the end of an almost two hour period, walls had truly been broken down and those that entered the room with entrenched positions left the room with not only new eyes and ears, but new brothers and sisters whom they truly loved. Then, after a brief coffee break, the group came back together and set to work on a single petition which struck the language of “incompatible” completely from 161.F. It was truly a beautiful sight to witness.

Unfortunately, the piece did not fare as well the next day in full committee, with nothing being recommended to the General Plenary. However, the process that I had witnessed the day before gave me extreme hope and inspiration. I had my first of many epiphanies that afternoon: What if all of General Conference ran this way? What if, instead of being solely focused on passing or barring pieces of legislation, we began by solely focusing on each other as human beings? What if instead of debating, we began listening? What if instead of giving passionate speeches, we shared personal stories? What if we actually left room for the Holy Spirit to move among us? Would we be overjoyed if the Spirit changed the minds of others? Would we be angry if the Spirit changed our mind? Would we be open to hearing and experiencing the Living Word instead of just reciting the written word?

If there is one thing that this story teaches me it is that there is a better way to do General Conference. Maybe, just maybe, that Way looks a little more like a group of friends in conversations than 988 delegates performing parliamentary tricks…