A Church in Flux

The United Methodist Church denomination is currently in flux.  This is a nice way of saying that a decision to change or remain the same has landed (or will soon land) on the doorstep of every local UMC church in America to some degree.  The presenting issue revolves around human sexuality; namely whether or not churches should allow same sex weddings and practicing LGBTQIA+ pastors to be ordained.  As you can imagine, this decision carries a lot of weight with it.  Many churches are considering a vote that could change the trajectory of their ministry.  Questions loom around whether this represents bigotry and discrimination, or Scriptural adherence and spiritual fortitude.  In some cases, it can cost friendships and cause division on both sides.  There are no easy answers here, as even the decision to do nothing denotes a choice to stay with the more liberal denominational conference.  

In the months that have passed, many churches have been convening meetings focused on trying to figure out where each member stands.  In recent times, letters have gone out discouraging many such meetings, in favor of maintaining the status quo.  The Iowa Methodist Conference has a piece of legislation in its Book of Discipline called paragraph 2553, which allows for disaffiliation from the church governing body for congregations wishing to leave.  Conversely, if churches are not bothered by the notion of same sex marriage and LGBTQIA+ clergy ordination, they can stay in the current conference.  A third ‘soft option’ seems to be that churches can stay with the conference, but continue as more conservative in nature going forward.  This has been referred to as the "big tent" concept; where all different beliefs are welcome.  Only time will tell which outcome produces the fruit of the Spirit.

When I was a pastor caught in the middle, I could only pray and hope for God’s will to be done for each church as they saw fit.  There was a deadline for churches to send a letter of intent to the governing body by June 30^th, 2023 if they wish to leave, and then a congregational vote would be scheduled after that.  By the end of the year, this structured option to leave will be closed.  

Although many emphasize an understanding of the Scriptural position regarding human sexuality, I believe this is only the presenting symptom of something deeper.  I think what churches are really struggling with is how to approach 2 Tim 3:14-15 which says, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."   

The church as a whole is trying to figure out how to be ‘wise for salvation.’  Whether or not to consider the concepts they have learned about Scripture in the past as reliable.  The apostle Paul would seem to suggest that during these end times, the basic teachings that we have taken for granted over the course of the last two-thousand years will be challenged.  And that is in fact what is happening.  People don’t argue about what the Bible says – they argue now about what it means and can we ignore it.  Do we focus on certain passages and ignore others, do we let emotion and opinion guide us, etc. 

As a pastor, I was always haunted by the verse in the book of James that talks about God judging teachers.  Here is what James 3:1 says, "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

As a teacher of Scripture and an Elder at my new church, I need to be able to fall back on the written Word in terms of what I talk about with people.  If I don’t do that, or I compromise, then I will have to answer to God for it someday.  This is the weight of what hangs in the balance.  A denominational decision either way will cost partnerships, friendships, and may even divide local churches for years to come; but it also affects where each church will stand based on the Word of God. 

There is also a light at the end of the tunnel.  Jesus has promised us in Matthew 16 that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against religion and faith."  In other words, regardless of whether or not we argue with each other, at the end of the day God is still in charge.  His church will continue on in some form, even to the last day. 

It will be up to individual churches to figure out how they want to move through these anxious times, and how they will interpret 2 Tim 3 (mentioned above).  God will love us through it; what remains to be seen is what type of church He will bless and grow.  I'm betting it will be the one that adheres to Scripture and not culture.  May His grace and peace help guide everyone affected, and may we deal with each other using compassion and understanding in the meantime.     

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