A Window Into the Future

By Rev. Jay Therrell
May 2, 2023

For those wondering what The United Methodist Church will look like after the disaffiliation window closes, the Minnesota Annual Conference has given us a glimpse. Recently, the conference issued a document on its website called: FAQs: Living and Leading Together. I encourage you to read the entire document as it’s eye-opening.

In one section of the document the phrase, “Context is important” is used. I couldn’t agree more. The overall tone of the statement is that Minnesota and the entire UMC will be a “Big Tent,” but as you read carefully into the well-parsed words, one can begin to see the reality that a very progressive future is in store and that anyone left behind of a traditionalist perspective may get uncomfortable very quickly.

Identity, Vision, and Values

In the section on identity, vision, and values, Minnesota declares, “The Minnesota Conference is committed to ‘inclusiveness in all aspects of the life of the Church, by embracing the richness of diversity found in sexual orientation, race, physical or mental ability, national origin, marital status, gender identity, ethnicity, economic status, and age.’” Earlier in the same section, one can find the following sentences, “The Minnesota Conference has set a path for its future. All who find themselves as active contributors in living into this vision are welcome here.”

Combining the two thoughts from the same section and you begin to get the picture of what is really happening. Minnesota is embracing “inclusiveness in all aspects of life of the Church…” and “all who find themselves as active contributors in living into this vision are welcome here.” You can begin to see that laity and clergy who are outspoken against living into this kind of future will not be welcome here. You could even begin to wonder if people who are quiet and passive and not “active contributors” will be welcome. 

Weddings, Credentialing, and Complaints

In the section on weddings and credentialing of clergy, the window into the future begins to open more widely. In a frequently asked question about same-sex weddings, the statement says, “The current Book of Discipline says ‘the decision to perform the ceremony shall be the right and responsibility of the pastor.’ Context is important.” Again, context is indeed important, and I can’t help but think one of the operative words is “current” as in “The current Book of Discipline says….” It makes you begin to wonder if there will eventually be a Book of Discipline where the pastor of a local church no longer has discretion over whom s/he will marry. 

The next sentence is extremely telling, “In those places where pastors will not perform a same-sex marriage, they will, out of pastoral concern for the couple involved, seek out a pastor who will perform the ceremony and a setting in which their wedding can be celebrated.” In other words, pastors may not be required to perform same-sex weddings, but they will be required to help facilitate them by ensuring a couple is connected with a United Methodist clergyperson that will officiate the service. The future is being clearly telegraphed. 

In the section on credentialing of clergy, the document shares, “Potential clergy will be asked about their commitment to The United Methodist Church and to serving as provisional, ordained, or licensed leaders within it.” With all the statements about inclusiveness and the conference’s commitment to it that come prior to this section, one begins to wonder if there will ever be another traditionalist clergyperson licensed, commissioned, or ordained in Minnesota. 

In the section on complaints, a very clear question is asked, “How will Bishop Lanette [Plambeck] handle complaints against LGBTQIA+ clergy with regard to their identity and complaints against clergy who officiate at same-gender weddings?” The answer: “Bishop Lanette is aligned with and encouraged by the mission, vision, and values of the Minnesota Conference and will lead accordingly as one committed to a fully inclusive church.” To put it another way, the document seems to say that Bishop Plambeck does not intend to enforce the current Book of Discipline. She will allow same-sex weddings and the licensing, commissioning, ordination, and appointment of active LGBT+ individuals. If this is true now, the future will only move further in that direction.  

Clarity is Kindness

Author Brene Brown has said, “Clarity is kindness.” The Minnesota Annual Conference seems to be offering clarity around their present reality and where they are headed. No doubt the future laid out in this document will also hold true for other, if not most, annual conferences in United Methodism – especially after General Conference in 2024. 

Traditionalists would be wise to heed this important message. The UMC is showing us who and what they are and will be. If your church is in an annual conference that still has its disaffiliation window open, it’s beyond time to seriously consider moving in that direction before the exit is shut entirely.

The Rev. Jay Therrell is the president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church.

 

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