Now What for Methodism?

Following the events and decisions at General Conference 2019, the question many are asking is, "Now what?"  Some are asking in a more depressed way.  As in, "Now how can I be Methodist if I no longer agree with the theology and practices of the United Methodist Church?" 

First of all, I point you to my previous essays (here on this blog, Writing to Live) to answer part of the latter question.  Methodism is not connected, or should not be connected, to a particular denomination and certainly not to any required universal agreement on theology or practices beyond Christ and grace.  If one feels strongly that they are called to be a Methodist--called by God to renew Christians everywhere in the full life and power of the Holy Spirit through God's grace, so that we are not dead Christians or trapped by the structures and powers that be, called Christendom--then one can continue to be a Methodist regardless of what the United Methodist Church has decided.

Of course, I want to point out that as of this writing there is some question still about what will happen to the United Methodist Church.  Yes, General Conference approved the traditional plan, strengthening and re-enforcing the belief that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching and disallowing LGBTQ+ persons to be married or ordained.  But many parts of that plan were deemed unconstitutional and not, as far as I can tell, corrected to be in line with our constitution.  A Methodist should not care about a constitution to begin with but that's another story.  The point is we aren't necessarily definitely sure.  With that said, the fact that the Conference approved the traditional plan regardless of constitutionality is a sign of how committed the delegates were to the traditional plan and, therefore, many will be planning on leaving the denomination.

Already I am hearing chatter of creating a new denomination.  I am not one to try and persuade anyone to stay in a community in which they no longer feel comfortable.  However, the idea of creating a new denomination at this point in time seems contrary to the passionate frustration and anger many United Methodists are feeling.  If we want Methodism to be true to itself, true to its movement, true to God's reason for raising us up, then we do not do so by building yet more man-made structures with yet more beliefs and practices that must be adhered to.

Instead I encourage Methodists everywhere to prayerfully consider letting Methodist denominations collapse and die.  I encourage Methodists everywhere to prayerfully consider being Methodist in whatever church and denomination they find themselves.  If that's the United Methodist Church or some new denomination calling itself Methodist, fine; if that's in the UCC or ELCA or whatever, fine.  The point is that Methodism is a movement of grace for all Christians, everywhere, who are stuck in thinking that mere belief or practice adherence makes one saved.  Methodism is a movement that asks dead Christians everywhere, "Are you an almost Christian?  Are you a Christian in name only?"  Methodism is a movement that says to dead Christians everywhere, "God's grace can empower you to love like Christ, to a full life in Christ, don't deny the very promises Christ himself made to us."  The message of Methodism should not be constrained to a single group.  It's meant for all Christians.  Though it will take time and much prayerful discernment, I myself am considering, and have been for some time before General Conference, laying down my 'credentials' as a pastor, soon to be provisional elder, buying a house with my family and settling down and joining the nearest church as a lay person--as a Methodist; or transferring my credentials to some other denomination and serving as pastor--as a Methodist. 

Go forth and evangelize wherever you find yourselves, in whatever denomination, so that the spirit and movement of Methodism can once again fulfill its mission: to enliven all Christians.