Letter to Church Within A Church Interested Persons

Church Within A Church
Rev. Greg Dell*
May 11, 2004

Dear Friends,

No surprises. Not really. But that doesn't stem the flow of grief and anger, the deep sense of betrayal. Once again, the United Methodist denomination has violated its call, its ministry and its faithful daughters and sons. Few expected that there would be any moderation in the denomination's positions regarding sexual orientation but not many were ready for the further tightening of the belt of bigotry that is occurring in Pittsburgh.

As many of you know, I was very intentional about not attending this General Conference - the first I've missed in over 20 years. Only half jokingly I responded to questions about that decision by saying that masochism is no longer my neurosis of choice. I respect and admire those who went to the meeting filled with hope or at least a commitment to make a witness. I also respect those who decided that presence and effort would not be good stewardship.

Now, I would suggest, both groups have the opportunity to turn to the future and begin to ACT on alternatives for that part of our church truly committed to full racial, gender, sexual orientation, and ability inclusiveness. There's a meeting scheduled for May 22 in Washington DC. The intention is to have a gathering of the leadership of the "progressive" movements of the church to sort through where we are now. I will be one of the three persons representing the Church Within a Church movement. There have been few meetings I've been more eager to attend. I go with an agenda that says we must have a strong alternative to simply living within or trying to reform an untenable Discipline.

Let me be personal. I'm writing from California. My son and daughter-in-law just brought their second child - our second grandchild - into the world. That's why Jade and I are here. This morning I was holding one week old Ramona Jean in my arms while her three-year-old sister, Olivia, was making a necklace of beads for me at her nearby table. I had just finished reading the email reports of the Pittsburgh debacle. I looked at both those precious girls and made a vow. I don't know the sexual orientation of those girls. Their gender seems clear at this point; but who knows? We know nothing about their future abilities. We're clear about our desires for the racial world in which we'd like to see them grow, but there's an ocean of bigotry that will need to be navigated. However those uncertainties resolve I'm clear that I will no longer be party to supporting a faith community that rejects or denigrates the God given identity of the children and adults of our planet. Olivia and Ramona are just two of the hundreds of thousands the church has wounded once again. No more! That's my vow. The United Methodist church has violated its trust. It's time to explore the alternatives. If Jade and I and others with whom we share those commitments remain within the United Methodist denomination, it will be with a different understanding and witness than the one we have had to this point in our lives.

Let the dialogue begin. Let the Spirit speak and act. Let us respond as we are able!

Grace and Shalom,

Greg

* Rev. Gregory Dell, pastor Broadway United Methodist Church 3344 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60657-3520