“For [Christ] is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” (Ephesians 2:14)
Bishop Ken Carter preached on this text in opening worship, reminding us that while we may have erected barriers, Christ has already reconciled us to one another through the cross. Our narrative is controlled by God’s story – a story of creation, not dismantling, of inclusion, not exclusion.
Following worship, members of the Commission on a Way Forward (COWF) reported on their process and the plans that emerged from it, but also on the relationships they formed. Clearly this was a transformative experience for all involved, where people felt heard, valued, and included, and they were able to envision us moving forward together despite our differences. If our future was in their hands, we might be headed in a different direction.
But it’s not.
The COWF was intentionally created to represent the diversity of the denomination. They were also required to be open to the future of the UMC together, not apart. They worshiped and prayed, and they operated by consensus. However, nothing that came out of the COWF will take effect unless approved by the General Conference delegates, a body that reflects the political, often polarizing process through which they are elected.
The first sign of how those petitions might fare came through this afternoon’s process of prioritization. Delegates rated each petition – both those from the COWF and those submitted by others – as either high or low priority for consideration. The results were telling.
Of highest priority were petitions that recommend changes to Wespath, the UMC’s pension system, that would accommodate the departure of congregations or individuals from the denomination. A close second was the Traditional Plan, which retains restrictions on LGBTQ inclusion with stricter accountability and harsher penalties for disobedience. The plan was not initially part of the COWF’s report, but was added under pressure from conservatives. The third and fourth priorities were petitions submitted by two different individuals on disaffiliation, which articulate how those who wish to leave the UMC may do so without losing their property.
Number five was the One Church Plan, which many, including the vast majority of bishops, recommend as our best chance for remaining united. Far down the list was the Connectional Plan, the COWF’s other proposal for going forward as one body, albeit segregated according to policy on sexuality.
It was disheartening to realize that the highest priority for the delegates who will determine our future is how to divide the property after the divorce. I had heard it said that the only things that have held the church together to this point were the trust clause and the pension fund. Dating to founder John Wesley, the trust clause in UMC deeds articulates that if a congregation leaves the denomination, its property reverts to the UMC. A delegate today claimed that pension holdings of $4.7 billion represent the church’s largest asset. There is clearly a lot at stake for those who contemplate leaving.
It’s tempting to look at today’s priority rankings and conclude that the marriage is over, and most of our delegates wants to get on with divvying up the property. Conservatives are already claiming victory, as Rev. Rob Renfroe, president of the advocacy group Good News said, “We’re very happy the Traditional Plan received the majority of the votes. In spite of all the efforts of the groups and the bishops, the church remains committed to a scriptural understanding of sexual ethics.”
But it is still early in the process. Today’s vote only identified priorities for perfecting the legislation. Votes on adopting any plan are still down the road, and the plans could go through significant revision before those votes occur.
For more details on the day’s proceedings, see this UM News release.