"Broken"

by Heather Williams

“They broke the covenant,” claims Dr. Bill Hinson, president of an organization known as the Confessing Movement of the United Methodist Church.

“They” would represent the so-called liberal group of the United Methodist Church.

Hinson, speaking at a press conference during General Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., this week said he is convinced that the gulf between the liberal and conservative groups within the church is so wide that it “cannot be bridged.” Yet we hear about unity in the United Methodist Church. We were also told that these words – spoken at an early morning breakfast – were not meant for the public. Why not? It is also interesting that these statements were published on the group’s website.

There appears to be two different conversations, a “parallel process.” Is this a collaborative process?

According to Kathryn Johnson, executive director of the Methodist Federation of Social Action, collaboration involves a conversation of the issue at hand. There has been an expression of position but not an authentic dialogue of the divide we as United Methodists find in our church. This is what the MFSA desired for this General Conference,: that we as the body of Christ look honestly at our division and find ways to live together as United Methodists.

According to Dr. Rev. Bruce Robbins, former general secretary of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, “There needs to be space for those who believe that policies are offensive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Both sides are offended; both sides of this chasm find that their Spirit-led perspective of the Gospel calls them to live a certain way: living by the inherent word of God, living by the greatest commandment of Christ, to love one another.

“They broke the chalice.”

Following a communion service someone broke the communion chalice as a symbol of brokenness of body of Christ. According to a delegate, “The symbolism of our sacraments should be lifted up in unity of the body of Christ not to be broken in a political statement.” In the midst of discussing our sacramental theology and how to interpret communion, a chalice is thrown to the floor. An act out of brokenness and discouragement, a moment of pain.

When will we stop trying to hurt one another, stop trying to make political statements that wound the heart? When will we let the words of Bishop McKinley Young, take root in our hearts and make a way in your lives to be faithful disciples of Jesus. We have a sense of urgency to stand in what has been called the gulf, and call for a new social order, not just a political sound bite.

“Walk together, children. Don’t you get weary. There is a great camp meeting in the promise land.”

Perhaps the promise land is in the gulf. Perhaps it is in the gulf that we can break bread and experience holy conferencing at a great camp meeting called and inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit who claims each of us as water washed and Spirit born.