General Conference Joyfully Affirms United Methodist Covenant
 

By Cathy Farmer

 

The United Methodist Church declared its firm intention to remain one church during an emotional session Friday, May 7, in Pittsburgh.

After enduring days of rumors that a resolution would be presented to the General Conference asking for an “amicable separation” of The United Methodist Church, delegates to the worldwide body were overjoyed to vote instead for a resolution declaring the Church’s intention to remain in covenant with one another.

The resolution reads: “As United Methodists we remain in covenant with one another, even in the midst of disagreement, and reaffirm our commitment to work together for our common mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ throughout the world.”  It was passed by a vote of 869 for, 41 against, with 8 abstentions.

 

‘Great joy and thanksgiving!’

Dr. Harry Durbin Sr., senior pastor of Collierville United Methodist Church and co-leader of the Memphis Conference delegation, said, “Yesterday, May 6, there was a sense of uneasiness in the body because of a rumor circulating that a resolution would be presented considering the possibility of amicably dividing the Church. But it was an unfounded rumor centered around participants who were not delegates.

“On Friday morning,” he continued, “a resolution on unity was presented that proved to be a healing and hopeful statement that we will continue to be a united church committed to making disciples at home and around the world.

“Personally,” he said, “I was overwhelmed, as most delegates appeared to be, with joy and thanksgiving that our great Church had voted overwhelmingly to affirm our unity. Delegate after delegate greeted and embraced one another. I saw many shedding tears as they shared words of peace and shared hope. It was truly the most powerful moment of healing I’ve ever experienced.”

Mrs. Beth Brown, an alternate delegate from Union City, Tenn., said, “I think the resolution on unity was very much needed. We’ve experienced divisiveness this week and now we feel united as a body. I wept. It was a powerfully moving experience for me. The events in the last 48 hours have been deeply troubling. We needed to come together as a body of Christ on this final day of General Conference.

The resolution was presented by leaders from various areas of the country and abroad.

Dr. William Hinson, president of the Confessing Movement, one of the conservative factions within The United Methodist Church, appeared before the General Conference to “clear the air of rumor and innuendo.” A resolution proposing an “amicable separation” of the Church that was supposedly written by Hinson had been floating in the hallways of the conference.

In a press conference following his appearance before the delegates, Hinson said, “I feel a deep sense of sadness about the brokenness of the Church. Nobody wants to hurt this Church deliberatively or intentionally. I’m standing here in amazement at the combustibility of an early morning speech made by someone who is not a delegate.”

Hinson spoke at a Good News breakfast saying he believed the gulf between the liberal and conservative factions of the Church could not be bridged. He also said he believed the Church must explore an amicable and just separation.

 

The 800 pound gorilla in the room

In answer to a question as to why his words were so combustible, he replied, “Because I named the 800 pound gorilla in the room instead of walking around it. I know it’s on the hearts and minds of many United Methodists.”

However, Hinson went on to say, “I believe in unity too. I desire unity. But I don’t think the gap can be bridged.”

He also disavowed the writing of the resolution calling for amicable separation.

“I’ve never written a resolution. If I had, it would look a lot better than the one circulating. It was very unfortunate.

“The grass roots are very frustrated. That frustration comes from a feeling of hopelessness when our covenant, our law, is deliberately defied or ignored. I also feel great suffering from my gay and lesbian friends. I’m hurt deeply by their pain. Why do we continue to step on one another’s dreams? We’re hurting too. In our dialogue together, our friends, the liberals, made it clear they will never leave (the denomination)—and we will never leave it. Both groups are equally committed to our Wesleyan heritage.”

Dr. John Schol, a general conference delegate from Eastern Pennsylvania, said, “I’ve received many calls from home. Many are very concerned about the news they’ve read concerning schism. They’re asking me if our denomination is splitting. We’ve now sent a message (with the Resolution on Unity) that we are unified. I felt a great sense of relief that we reaffirmed our covenant. We agree we have a mission of making disciples around the world. I think we demonstrated very clearly the United Methodist Church will continue as we know it.

Dr. Bruce Robbins, former general secretary of the general commission on Christian Unity and Inter Religious Concerns, said, “I see a deep commitment to find ways to bridge the differences.”

In answer to a question about whether or not the election of a gay bishop by the Episcopal Church affected the question of separation, he said, “The place of gay and lesbian persons is deeply divisive across the country. The pain has affected us. There’s a long, difficult road ahead. So, yes, it has had an impact, and so has the discussion among Presbyterians.
“It’s a challenge for all of us to discern how to build a bridge,” Robbins said, “but God has an imagination that goes beyond our imaginings.

“The United Methodist Church has not proposed to split,” he continued. “It’s quite the reverse. United Methodists are determined to seek authentic unity. It’s a goal for all of us.”

Kathryn Johnson, executive director of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (an unofficial organization of the United Methodist Church), said any talk of divorce is premature. “But we haven’t looked honestly at our deep divisions,” she said. “We must look at ways to live together, respect each others’ differences.”