Have you ever tried to convince someone that loves the King James version of the Bible that it's not really the most accurate translation? Show them an NIV, or heaven-forbid, a copy of The Message and you might be facing an exorcism. It's like trying to get the guy with the bullhorn to put it down. You know that guy, right? We have one of him at the Cherry Festival. He has signs and hands out tracts and everything. He yells at people to make sure they get scared of hell enough to believe in Jesus. You can't reason with this guy. He won't listen because he KNOWS he is right....after all he's convicted by the Holy Spirit. (If you've never seen the Nooma film "Bullhorn" you should watch it).
In thinking so much about the UMC and recent events and conversations, along with my presence at the Conference Leadership team meeting for W. MI today I continue to wonder if a denominational split is looming. There is so much fear around this idea, that splitting would cause such a disruption and be so painful to the overall UMC. I'm starting to wonder if a split would actually allow both parties to do things much more quickly. Otherwise we're just trying to convince one another that the Holy Spirit has empowered us with the "right" solution, "right" way of thinking, a special understanding or conviction of the definitions and ranking of sin, and God's sheer disappointment at those who disagree with us.
I am no Wesleyan scholar but I do have a basic understanding of John's desire to change the way things were back in the Anglican Church. He wanted the Gospel to be practical and available to everyone. It wasn't about creating a new establishment or power structure. It was about a movement. It wasn't about a heirarchical model of leadership, it was about a guy and his buddies who rode horses and preached outside about the power of grace. (No bullhorn necessary).
I vote that we start a new movement. No one needs to be in charge. This movement focuses on loving people into a relatinoship with Christ. It involves doing our best to meet people's deepest longings and needs. It doesn't involve building huge structures or polishing our shoes. It's about getting serious about movement...
I think we could call this the rUMC....UMC Revised.
Who's in?
I, too, pray that the UMC will not split. I wish we could just all agree that God's mission given to us as United Methodists--to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world--is more important than being right about obscure opinions all the time.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you've seen it, but there is a movement a bubblin', I think. It's called "Missional Methodist." You should check out their "manifesto:" http://missionalmethodist.org/missional_manifesto/. Based on this post, I think there is quite a bit there that you will agree with. Let's renew our commitment to be missional! and in so doing, bring life back into the Church.
"... loving people into a relatinoship with Christ" ... didn't a bunch of crazy people try something like that about 2000 years ago? I think a couple of them even used bullhorns! ;)
ReplyDeleteCount me in. :)