Farewell to Enemy Former Colleagues
A public departure from the "United Methodist Clergy" Facebook Page
May 6 was the date of my formal and final disaffiliation from my conference. I got my credentials in the mail to my district superintendent. The next couple of weeks will be spent removing and changing signage and account information. I preached yesterday morning morning without being under the authority of a bishop for the first time in my life and was surprised to find that I was sad. Perhaps some who disaffiliate really relish the independence afterwards, but I don't. I hope to be a part of a functional, faithful covenant network in the near future.
Even if I don't have that covenantal connection yet, I realize it is now incumbent upon me to leave this group. Before doing so, I wanted to acknowledge that I have been a part of this group for over a decade. I can't say that I have encountered a lot of content on here that has encouraged me in my ministry, but I wouldn't say that it hasn't helped me, either. Rather, this group has helped me to understand cultural leftism in its more radical forms, more than probably any other group I have been a part of. And that is very helpful to me, as it largely matches the tone of the cultural waters in which we are all swimming. I cannot effectively minister to folks unless I understand the constructs that inform how they listen, how they are inclined to apply what they encounter in the scriptures, how they navigate other voices who also speak on behalf of the Christian tradition but who say polar opposite things to me. I can't say that I have perfectly understood everyone on here, but I can say that I have generally tried, and this practice has made me a more thoughtful and conscientious person.
I have been clear that many in this group believe I and people like me are nasty, hateful, bigots. Indeed, that is one reason why I have chosen to leave this tribe. And while I don't represent a majority of (now former) American UMC clergy in my sensitivity to this, I do represent a sizable wave of clergy who are trying to get away.
I may have left The United Methodist Church, but there isn't really any getting away from the forces pushing leftward across the world, and particularly in America. I'm going to continue to encounter people awash in these things. It will continue to sow seeds of dissension in the local church. It will continue to threaten the unity that I can hope to have with people who claim to be believers in my midst.
I don't imagine that the bulk of those of you who have insulted me, scorned me, or leveled accusations at me did so with the self-understanding that you're the bad guy, or with bad intentions, necessarily. Lots of folks on here truly believe they are on the side of the angels, and that you're a part of a movement to atone for all of the sins our ancestors in the church.
But I don't think intentions matter. In the end, all that matters is obedience to God. And one day all of us will stand before his judgment seat and answer for every thoughtless word that has come out of our mouths. Our God is Lord of history, and he alone will judge who was on the "right side" of history. Of course, as always, I acknowledge the prerogative of others to disagree with me and do things their own way. I don’t think I am God. But I do believe in a God who does things his way, regardless of how I feel about it or reason around it.
As I depart, I just hope some number of the more reasonable can acknowledge that we reached an impasse that required a break. The choice to see those leaving as evil or hateful is just that: a choice. As I see it, we had a couple decades to prepare in earnest for a split, but we are currently failing to be Christians in the midst of it now that it has come. I see so much pettiness, hatred, resentment, entitlement. I'm glad to be leaving. I'll reiterate what so many have said while leaving: this is a toxic place.
Because it is larger than just this group. It is also the leadership of the whole denomination. The state judiciary of Georgia just had to get involved to make the conference actually do what it is morally obligated to do. So many conferences have relished kicking churches on their way out the door. The ungracious and vindictive spirit of scrutinizing disaffiliations has ruined any pretense at grace in all this.
I fully believe there will be a time in the future when many of you will see how far things went and have a sober realization that things really went off the rails. You don't see it yet because you're so close to it. But things are changing quickly, so there will be a point where you see it. It's coming rapidly. And at that point, I do hope there is repentance. Because I don't want for you to suffer.
It is indeed suffering to try to make room for evil. It is most miserable, even if it doesn't feel that way right now.
I don't imagine this post will change many hearts. But I need to answer at God's judgment seat that I did what I could to warn people. I have the same spirit as I say these things that I imagine Christ had when he said, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate." The UMC is rapidly becoming desolate. I’m certain you will blame it on folks like me. Yet this desolation is what comes from the resentment leftist ideology engenders.
As I depart, I remember Christ's words: "They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God." Okay, yes, I chose to leave; you didn't put me out. And you're not killing me. Not yet. But I have seen and felt the hatred. I think I sense what is coming for those conservatives who cannot get away.
I hope you prove me wrong. I hope you are decent and gracious with those conservatives who remain. I hope you are finally able to have the functional big tent you have always dreamed of. But I think the premise on which the whole foundation of the UMC was built is flawed. I think suffering and decay await those who remain committed to the project of the liberal mainline denomination. And I don't think the bulk of you have the self-critical faculties to discern that you were all along promoting poison as medicine. I’m genuinely heartbroken that such a fine tradition as Methodism got co-opted by such a pale counterfeit as what we see today. John Wesley was right to fear:
“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.”
I've washed my hands. I'll be on my way, now. I wish you all well. The Lord see between me and thee.
I saw your letter on the United Methodist Clergy page. I tried to respond but was unable. I was a UMC pastor drummed out of ministry and forced to retire in 2007. I wanted to say what you said. But I went quietly. The D.S's sure were surprised when I showed up at WOC for my last walk across the stage! Anyway- The church I attend joined the Global Methodist in January! I praise God every day! Get on the GMC FB page. Apply for membership. Your ministry is needed. Go to the Global Methodist Church website for information.
God's blessings on you as your church transitions into a healthier connection.