According to umc.org, “the Commission on a Way Forward was proposed by the Council of Bishops and approved by the 2016 General Conference to do a complete examination and possible revision of every paragraph of the Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality and explore options that help to maintain and strengthen the unity of the church.” A daunting, and some would say, impossible task. Just what such a "way forward" might actually look like is anybody’s guess, and truthfully, the outlook is grim. The United Methodist Church will turn 50 in 2018, but when the Commission presents its recommendations to the called General Conference scheduled for February 23-26, 2019, it could well mark the end of the line for the UMC as we know it.
Every possible opinion has been or is being expressed, and not surprisingly, every side is staking its claims based both on its particular interpretation of scripture and by appealing to the sermons and writings of John Wesley. In a sermon entitled “On Schism,” Wesley states:
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 he Spirit in the bound of peace. It is therefore contrary to all those commands of God, wherein brotherly love is enjoined: To that of St. Paul, "Let brotherly love continue:" -- that of St. John, "My beloved children, love one another;" -- and especially to that of our blessed Master, "This is my commandment, That ye love on another, as I have loved you" Yea, "By this," saith he, "shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another."
I don’t know what will happen in the next couple of years in the UMC, but I am grieved by the lack of love that some of us are displaying. Wesley was no “believe what you want to believe” kind of guy, but he was adamant that our spirits should not be sharpened against others with whom we disagree. He was fond of 2 Kings 2 10: 15, “And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him, and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered: It is. If it be, give me thine hand.” In reflection upon that text, Wesley preached that we need not be of the same opinions in order to work hand in hand or to love one another. Just how we might apply this to the current state of affairs in the UMC is not completely clear, but the injunction for Christians to love each other as Christ first loved us must surely be the foundation of any discussion and of all decisions. I close with these words from his sermon “Catholic Spirit:”
I mean, Lastly, love me not in word only, but in deed and in truth. So far as in conscience thou canst (retaining still thy own opinions, and thy own manner of worshipping God), join with me in the work of God; and let us go on hand in hand. And thus far, it is certain, thou mayest go. Speak honourably wherever thou art, of the work of God, by whomsoever he works, and kindly of his messengers. And, if it be in thy power, not only sympathize with them when they are in any difficulty or distress, but give them a cheerful and effectual assistance, that they may glorify God on thy behalf.
Some wise words to ponder, not only for those who love the United Methodist Church, but for all of us who are called by Christ’s name as we live alongside others who may see things differently from us.
