Church Within A Church: Perceptions of General Conference

The following letter is a report from our Church Within a Church designates who attended a meeting of "progressives" in Washington, DC to combine and process their perceptions of General Conference.

May 27, 2004

Dear Friends,

What Biblical story will it be?

• The persistent widow who would not leave the insensitive judge alone until she was recognized? (Luke18: 2-5)
• Or the faithful disciple challenged by Jesus to leave even mother and father for the sake of living and spreading the Gospel? (Luke 14:26)
  

That was part of the challenge that faced a meeting of leaders of the progressive movements in the United Methodist Church as we met in Washington, DC on May 22. Three of us (Gil Caldwell was not able to attend) represented Church Within a Church. We joined folks from Affirmation, Methodist Federation for Social Action, Reconciling Ministries Network, MOSAIC (Methodist Students for an All Inclusive Church), and United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church. We were meeting to reflect on the impact of the recently concluded General Conference and to consider next steps.

There was a range of opinions on General Conference. They covered a spectrum from those who felt it was not as bad as it could have been to those who felt it was horrendous. There was consensus that some of the worst expectations were not met and that there were some positives - particularly in areas not specifically related to issues around sexual orientation. In general there seemed to be a difference between the perceptions of those who were present and those who were not present. That difference was not without exceptions! But for many who were present there was an experience of hope and community even in the face of legislative defeat. The many experiences of collective witness, connection, and prayer were powerful. For many who were not present the awareness of the results of voting were primary and felt devastating.

The Biblical story challenge above speaks to one of the questions we put to ourselves in the discussion following our sharing our perceptions of General Conference: Will there be room in the progressive movement for more than one posture relating to our denomination as a result of this and recent General Conferences? Will we be a progressive movement of United Methodists? Or will we be a progressive movement in the United Methodist Church? Can we affirm two or more postures or only one? Will we: * Strengthen and affirm those who are willing to move or are moving toward denominational schism or leaving the denomination (or putting themselves in situations where they would be forced to leave) in order to experience and grow the church of our common vision of full faithful inclusiveness? * Strengthen and affirm those who are moved to remain within the denomination and work for its transformation into the church of that same vision?

It seemed there was a lot of understanding that moving from the denomination or staying in is not so much a matter of leaving the struggle or staying with it. Rather it is defining the most faithful postures for the struggle we all share. It appeared that there was much openness and respect among those present for the importance of various postures - and the legitimacy of focusing on one or another or a combination.

There was a great deal of additional work on vision, strategies, resources, and other possibilities. It was a meeting with little conflict and much sensitivity. There was no little challenge and more than a little growth for all of us. But a final consensus precluded the possibility of any kind of common public position statement. Basically, the group was challenged - challenged itself as it turned out - that its own table was too small. It was only a portion of the "progressive leadership" in the denomination. The only persons of color in attendance were Traci West (incredibly eloquent, offering a great deal of leadership, challenge and support) and Barbara Ricks Thompson (being her wise and wonderfully insightful self). The persons who were not present were many of those who had signed on to the Common Witness statement for General Conference (attached for those of you who can receive and open attachments) - a much more authentically diverse group than ours on Saturday. We also missed specific representation from the Western Jurisdiction - which is playing a unique role in the ongoing struggle. The group was clear that it didn't want to move ahead with that limitation of representation, even if it meant missing a number of opportunities to respond. It decided that it couldn't represent itself as the leadership of the "progressive movement" in the UMC

So there it is, maybe it was a missed opportunity for agreement on a posture relating to remaining within or going beyond the denomination (and the many other postures that exist between them) - not to mention other strategic issues. But perhaps our time together will spell a dawning of a new commitment and awareness by a group that too often gives little more than lip service to its concern about racism and white domination while it struggles with more integrity around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

It is hoped that the envisioned expanded leadership group will be able to meet before or at the time of the various movement meetings in October in Chicago. Church Within a Church is one of the groups meeting at that time (October 15-16). At that time, we will have some important and visionary decisions to make regarding how best to proceed from where we are. As registration details become available, we will send them along.

In the meantime, it is our hope that all who are receiving this report will give some prayer and reflection regarding the path of faithfulness to which we as individuals and groups are being called. Be mindful of the annual and jurisdictional conferences so that we are aware of the outcomes of that "holy conferencing" as well. And, if you are so moved, please forward your ideas about our future direction and action to Greg and he will share them with our national coordination team.

Grace and peace,

Gregory Dell, convener Cathy Knight, Susan Johnson Morrison