Those who know me, even casually, know that I am technologically limited. Yet, since this past Sunday evening I have been thanking the Lord for technology. Those who know me more than casually, know that I am not overly emotional. Yet since this past Sunday evening I have been unusually filled with emotion.
What happened this past Sunday evening? There was a prayer meeting at Mt. Bethel Church in Atlanta that, via technology, was shared with persons around the world. I was invited to be a part of that, offering a brief word from Scripture and to lead in prayer. It’s been a long time since I have been moved so deeply. I’m sure the impact of limited public sharing brought on by Covid 19 had something to do with it, but it was far more than that. It was the obvious expression of the Holy Spirit’s presence. A large number of people gathered in the church there in Atlanta, but there was more. Two non-Methodist pastors from the area spoke to the congregation, offering love and support and thanking the congregation for their ministry, especially in that area of the city. But there was more, United Methodist leaders from two countries in Africa and one from India spoke and prayed as a part of our Methodist family. But there was more, leaders in mission organizations briefly reported on their ministry and thanked the Mt. Bethel congregation for their generous support. It was a hallelujah time.
I feel tears of joy welling up now as I rehearse that evening. I was filled with thanksgiving and joy. This was my church, the church I have sought to serve faithfully as an ordained minister for over sixty years. Not often do we have the opportunity for such Holy Spirit celebration and sharing. I was overwhelmed with emotion, and am still feeling it deeply, because of what initiated the call for that worldwide prayer meeting. The Bishop and Trustees of the Conference had threatened to close and claim the property and resources of Mt Bethel Church.
I don’t want to debate the issues leading to that episcopal decision. I simply want to share the question that is troubling me.
There has been division about doctrine and discipline for four decades, reaching a point that the Bishops called a special General Conference in 2019 to deal precisely with finding a way forward for our denomination. The denomination was on the verge of implosion. At that time, the General Conference again reaffirmed the UMC’s sexual ethics, teachings on marriage and ordination standards which had become the core point of debate and disagreement. But it doesn’t seem that General Conference ever happened. One jurisdiction of our denomination declared their unwillingness to accept the action of the General Conference. There was widespread rejection and disobedience within the church by pastors, churches and even Bishops and that defiance continues.
But there has been more. The ongoing disregard for our covenant and the action of the General Conference led to the establishment of a group representing different groups and varying positions on our disagreements. Through prayerful dialogue and respect for one another they agreed to a Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation.
I’m convinced that had the General Conference met as scheduled this past spring, that Protocol would have been approved, and we would not have the painful situation of Mt Bethel. My big question: Why can’t we act and relate in confidence that separation is the will of the vast majority of our membership? Separation does not have to be bitter and angry, it can be civil, gracious, and redemptive.
Having written this, I just learned that the Bishop and Trustees of the North Georgia Conference and Mt. Bethel have entered a mediation process to resolve the ongoing dispute. Praise God! I’m praying that this will result in a shout of Hallelujah!