The burning question in Methodism today

 Today I was asked THE burning question in Methodism. And no, it had nothing to do with my faith in Jesus. 

Today I co-officiated a memorial service in Greeneville, TN. The woman that we gathered to celcbrate the life of had passed away earlier this year and today was the occassion to lay to rest her cremains beside her husband. 

When I arrived I parked behind a gentleman who got out of his car with a guitar and Bible in hand, and even though I had never met him, I was pretty sure this was the pastor that I was working with because I had been told that he would be singing, in addition to sharing a message. And he did a wonderful job! His wife and three small children sang on 2 songs with him, and it was an honor to work with him today. 

I appreciate working ecumenically with other colleagues! We have so much more in common than what we disagree on. After all, we all see Jesus as the main thing of all things, and if Jesus is the main thing then I believe our disagreements on other things really isn't that big of a deal. 

At least not in an eternal perspective.

But interestingly enough, as soon as my pastor colleague found out I was United Methodist he asked me THE question,"So are you going to align with the United Methodist or the Global Methodist when your church splits?"

And my heart sank. 

It always does when I hear talk of our "ineveitable" denominational split. I was not born a United Methodist. I chose this because I felt like the UMC chose me. I was welcomed and loved at a smaller membership in Chuckey, TN, Stone Dam UMC. I was encouraged there to participate fully in the life of the church (and yes, I was asked to serve on some committees, too). My first Sunday visiting that church I was invited to walk forward to share in Holy Comunion. There was no talk about my church membership, my beliefs, what I had done or where I had been the night before, they just invited me to come receive the sacramental grace offered at the Lord's Table. 

Because after all, everyone is welcome and everyone has a place at the table. 

I don't fault  my colleague for asking the question. It's all over Christian News networks. And some churches are talking about it alot, and have been for years. I haven't been talking about a split in my beloved Church, because I don't want that to happen. 

I have another dear friend who is serving a 3-point charge in our denomination who thinks I am a little naive in my desires. Many Methodists see a denominational split as inevitable and needed. I would prefer us to remain "United". 

But I suppose that many people in the United Methodist Church have already made up thier minds on the question that was asked to me today. 

And I suppose if I must answer a question on this apprently ineveitable split (though my prayer is still that God will work a new way to keep us all together because we are all needed to be the "church" and we are all deeply loved by our Creator God), then I suppose that my answer is that I am a United Methodist Pastor for as long as the United Methodist Church exists. And that is for many more and deeper reasons than the current issues that are causing potential schism. 

 I have friends on both sides of this, and I feel sort of in the middle. Not because I am not sure of what I believe, but because I prefer to stay close to my friends who are on polor opposite ends. 

I am sure that I willl be asked THE burning question in Methodism again sometime. And I look forward to reading about the amazing things that are happening in Methodist churches all over the world again soon as well. And maybe a split will need to happen to get us to that point. But I am still praying not. 

So I leave you with another burning question. And it has nothing to do with "United" or "Global". 

Do you love Jesus?