Reconciling God's Dilemma for the UMC
I always say that God works mainly in the dilemma's of our lives. In the GC2019, the denomination’s “Traditional Plan” passed, with 53% (438 of 822) while the Judicial Court of UMC had previously stated - "“The Council of Bishops was not designed to function as an inquisitional court responsible for enforcing doctrinal purity among its members”. Key was the concept of "due process" in matters dealing with the removal of bishops.
The saying "when elephants dance the mice may die" comes to mind.
Today, as I struggled to understand "WHY" some in my local church seek disaffiliation, I found Dr. David F Watson's article (“On Separation, Schism, and Seasons”, 2022/08) on why he chose separation after the 2019 vote. I have heard others say "it is just too painful" or more simply, there is no Win:Win in UMC's dilemma on "The Path Forward".
But one has to peel another layer that speaks to the fear of the future. Dr. Watson puts it succinctly: "the breakdown of governance in the UMC made division inevitable. ...The General Conference is no longer a viable means of governing the church". Herein is the real crux of the issue for those who have lost trust in the UMC and feel accountability of the UMC Bishops is at the center of God's dilemma.
I am reminded of the Book of Job when Job demands to take God to trial because of the terrible circumstances in his life. And the friends of Job - advising Job but not seeing the hand of God at work through all the injustices.
Today, the righteous Methodist is seeking to take God (UMC Bishops) to court. This applies to both extreme sides of the theological spectrum: those seeking separation to ensure accountability is absolute; while others are seeking a place where contextualism runs wild. No wonder our trust is enmeshed with so much pain.
The more I sought to reconcile all sides the more the wisdom of God’s dilemma came to me - seek not Win:Win, instead seek the cross.
I believe that instead of seeking to hold authorities accountable or to frustrate those seeking traditional order we should seek clarity in our Faith in God and the Holy Spirit. Wesley's sermon on Schism convicted me of my own biases and strengthen my Faith in our UMC. My Faith knows that the Holy Spirit is working in the governance of our Methodism. For me, this vote is about Faith.
Faith comes from hearing the words and news of Jesus's life and fully understanding the sacrifice of the cross. Blessed are our meek members whose strong Faith enable them to "lose" without loss of trust; in doing so, we demonstrate the body of Christ in real terms and bring Glory to our Lord. The "Lose:Lose:" path in the unity of the body of Christ reflects Jesus's sacrifice at the cross. We are living through the circumstantial will of God.
In the circumstantial will of God there is only pain and no Win:Win, the Faithful choose the cross. For we know that the ultimate will of God will come when we are Faithful. My duty is to hold steady to my Faith:
- My Faith in the Holy Spirit, working thru all UMC authorities; (especially when I disagree with them)
- My Faith in the hearts of members of my local church; (rather than the voices of other churches)
- My Faith in Wesley who spoke clearly to those who divide our community into "groups";
- My Faith in the diverse theological views across the UMC
Understanding the "WHY" is not enough for I feel the pain of so many in the reality of our Lose:Lose world. Do not think whatever choice we make will be a Win. Wesley makes this clear - there is no win, there is only the will of God in our dilemma. And, I believe the Holy Spirit is at work to strengthen the UMC. I pray each of us find clarity and are renewed in our Faith.
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