December 5, 2023
By Rev. Dr. Scott N. Field
“…and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9
This is the wondrous season in which we look back to the birth of our Savior in Bethlehem and look forward to his coming again to set all things to rights.
Advent invites us to lean into God’s future by taking action here and now. The community of Christ-followers is open to every nation, tribe, people, and language. The Revelation to John not only gives a glimpse of this wondrous future but also sets the pattern for the global community of Christ’s disciples.
The Wesleyan Covenant Association is committed to informing, assisting, and advocating for every United Methodist congregation to end up where it wants to be at the close of this season of denominational disaffiliation. Our commitment includes not only evangelicals/traditionalists and progressives/liberationists, not only UMs in the United States, but also United Methodists in Africa, the Philippines, and Europe.
Up to this point the United Methodist Council of Bishops has limited the option of any disaffiliation process to the United States alone. The option of self-determination has been denied to our sisters and brothers in other countries. This may have been an unintentional consequence or an inadequately considered decision. But the delegates to the upcoming United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina in April/May can correct this injustice, however it came to be. A fair, transparent, feasible, and uniform disaffiliation pathway can be authorized by the General Conference so that United Methodists beyond the USA have the option of determining their future. Denying this opportunity will only prolong the chronic conflict that disaffiliation is intended to resolve.
This month the Wesleyan Covenant Association is launching the Fair for Some Fair for All initiative. We are convinced that fair-minded United Methodists widely support the simple equity of allowing every UM congregation to prayerfully discern and vote upon its future. Limiting that option to the USA alone is an injustice that can be overcome by the action of the UMC General Conference in April/May.
To that end, the WCA, with our Reform and Renewal partners, is currently facilitating on-location networking in Africa, is supporting legislation by African United Methodists for action at the General Conference, is informing the wider UMC members in the USA and elsewhere about this pressing need, and is planning for African observers onsite at the General Conference in Charlotte who can report directly back to their congregations.
Your help is needed. This is a costly undertaking.
Institutional and administrative leaders of the UMC largely support what is called the “Regionalization Plan” for the future of the denomination. This plan segregates Africa and other Central Conferences from the United States. Regionalization disenfranchises the votes and voices of African, Filipino, and European United Methodists under the guise of “contextualization” so that the progressive agenda of UMC leaders in the US can move forward unopposed.
The UMC General Conference in April/May might well be the last opportunity for Africans, Filipinos, and other Central Conference United Methodists to make their voices heard.
- Will you help us with your prayer support?
- Will you share information in your social media network and local church relationships?
- Will you contact your Annual Conference delegates to the General Conference, urging them to support a continuing pathway for disaffiliation on behalf of those congregations to which it has been denied?
- Will you make a financial gift to help us in this initiative?
During this season of disaffiliation, a number of unforeseen challenges have emerged, both for the congregations seeking to prayerfully consider separating from the UMC as well as for the leaders who are custodians of the denomination. One thing upon which we can all agree, however, is that what is fair for some should be fair for all. It is a straightforward matter of simple justice.
You can be part of the initial wave of support. Click the donate button below and choose the Fair for Some Fair for All campaign option on the drop-down menu.
For additional information about the campaign, including developing resources planned to launch as we all prepare for the UMC General Conference, go to https://wesleyancovenant.org/fair-for-some-fair-for-all/
Many, many thanks for your support.