Advice from a former United Methodist

Over the weekend a friend pointed me to Kevin Watson's recent blog post. Kevin and I have corresponded before, and the Reporter recently printed a commentary of his. In this post, he shares links to a blog series by Craig Groeschel, founder of the wildly successful LifeChurch.tv and a former United Methodist.

Craig has written half a dozen blog posts to offer suggestions for the United Methodist Church. And really, they are worth the read. So are the comments -- some from United Methodists, some not. A word of caution when you get to post number 6, though: Remember the lens Craig uses to view the UMC. Craig left the United Methodist Church, and he seems to see a clear divide where many current United Methodists would not. A few UMC folks posted comments saying that his categorization of liberal and evangelical is a false dichotomy. Of course, other commenters, both UM and not, agree with him and do see the division as cut-and-dry. Reminds me of a phone survey I participated in a month or two ago. The person conducting the survey asked me, "Would you consider yourself evangelical or born again?" to which I answered, "Yes." The questioner then informed me that it wasn't a yes-or-no question; I had to choose whether I was one or the other. "You mean they are mutually exclusive?" I asked. "I think someone should take a closer look at your survey questions."

So, in summary: Go read the series. Learn from it. Maybe even ask some hard questions of our leadership because of it. But think a little harder about Part 6. I, for one, believe the perceived division is a lot more nuanced than Craig Groeschel does.

Comments

[Scott endress]

These posts are not very fresh or engaging. You can hardly call them anything but simplistic impressions shared by many. The key to me has always been how can we do the work sometimes in spite of the structure. Even independents like livchurch are not perfectly structured and don't guarantee doing god's will be any easier or more likely.

[UMJeremy]

I find it a bit self-serving to offer a recommendation that the UMC split...from a person who split from the UMC in the first place.

[Amy Forbus]

Scott, I think the key prhases in your comment are "shared by many" and "in spite of the structure." If many people agree that these things need to change, and find ways of circumventing the structure, then why don't we make changes? I was part of a group that developed legislation passed at General Conference 2008 to shorten the ordination process by one year. It went through on the consent calendar -- such widespread agreement that no floor debate was necessary. But I don't think that single change was enough. Now, I'm not saying Craig and his crew have everything right at LifeChurch. I just think we might learn something if we heed those who have been a part of the UMC and aren't any longer.

Jeremy, I agree completely -- hence my remark about remembering the lens through which Craig sees us.

Thank you both for commenting!

[Jim]

Folks are caused to split from the UMC because grassroots members get very little say. Pastors who choose to remain in the system and would like to see the denomination change are stymied because of their fear of retribution from their particular cabinets in their conferences. Those UM pastors who desire change are forced to leave the denomination in order to serve in the way the Lord has called them to serve. Our conference--probably most conferences--elect the same "old" delegates every four years. Those delegates have become like the politians in Washington. Rather than really listening to what their flocks say back home, those delegates blindly follow the direction of the council of bishops--which is accountable to nobody. After all, those clergy delegates may BE a bishop one day!! Check out accountablity in your current discipline!!!!

Jim