Unafraid and Unashamed: Facing the Future of United Methodism

About a month ago I wrote a post after a clergy district meeting, sharing resources and links for folks to help sort through things that are currently being discussed in the United Methodist denomination.  I realized that I had not yet read Will Cantrell's book, Unafraid and Unashamed: Facing the Future of United Methodism, so I ordered it and read it.

I recently finished it and wanted to share some of my notes, thoughts, and reflections.

From a practical view, this is a very timely and helpful resource to add to the reading and discussion.  The book came out in 2017, contains eight chapters that are relevant without being too lengthy, and Wil himself has first hand experience as a delegate to General Conference.  Another positive about the book is that it isn't divisive, but rather allows you to look at the topic, to consider the topic, to open yourself up to and for discussion.  This is truly what is needed.  As mentioned in my previous post, courageous conversations and spaces in which we can have those conversations is a big piece of what is missing currently, from my perspective.

The book's eight chapters are:

Chapter 1-- Removing the Rose Colored Glasses
Chapter 2-- Paying the Cover Charge
Chapter 3-- Looking in the Mirror
Chapter 4-- Embracing Diversity
Chapter 5-- Getting Serious about Connectionalism
Chapter 6-- What's Your Agenda
Chapter 7-- Becoming the Loyal Opposition
Chapter 8-- Church Unity

In addition, there is a foreword by Rev. David Graves, the Bishop in the Alabama-West Florida Conference, an Introduction (Option: Fear of Faith), and a Conclusion (My Prayer for You, Me, and the UMC).

All total, there are 149 pages, with the Acknowledgements at the end of the book.

Though there isn't a study guide within this book, you can give your email at this link here and they will send you a leader's guide to help with discussions.

When the book came and I saw that the forward was written by Bishop David Graves, I was glad.  I know David from days gone by in the local Emmaus community and looked forward to what he said about the book in the introduction.

Before you get to the forward (and even before the title and content pages), there is a page that has the two words "fear" and "faith" prominently in the middle of the page with an explanation for each: "Fear tells us to keep doing what we have always done, hoping that the outside world will go back to the way it used to be.  Faith tells a different story."  This is a 'cause for a pause', giving us something to reflect upon before we even begin the book.

In the forward by Bishop David Graves, there are two quotes that I had underlined in my initial reading:

"In these days, we need to guard our hearts, to focus more on what we have in common, rather than focusing on our differences." (VII)

"This book can serve as a guide to respect viewpoints that differ from our own." (VII)

The Introduction goes into more detail about the option between fear and faith.

On page 7, this paragraph speaks truth: "Often life teaches us hard lessons.  Sometimes we can pick our battles.  Other times, our battles pick us, and our only option is to determine the methods we will use."

Wil asks an important question as to how we will respond to this current crisis that is going on in the United Methodist Church.  He asks: "Will we respond out of fear or out of faith?" (12)

Scriptural holiness is discussed on page 14 and how that was central to John Wesley and the life of Christ.  "Jesus was quite controversial in his day because he did not make his ministry simply about correct theology.  The Pharisees did that." (14)  "Instead, Jesus lifted up two values above theology and correct social policies: Loving God and loving your neighbor: It was these overarching values John Wesley referred to as "scriptural holiness"." (14)

Wil writes, "I pray we find the courage to look fully at our differences through the lens of our shared beliefs, our beloved means of grace, and our desire to love others as God first loved us." (15)

Amen.  What a great prayer.  Imagine if we were to come together in such a way.  What would that look like?  What could that look like?

Wil ends the introduction with these words: "If we find within ourselves the courage to set aside our fears and embark on this journey, then perhaps the people called United Methodists will discover a miraculous capacity to share hope, healing, and joy with a hurting and divided world.  As John Wesley would say, we will find ourselves spreading "scriptural holiness over the land."" (16)

If I shared all of my notes from Wil's book, you would only be getting his book through my eyes.  I encourage you to check it out for yourself and to order the leader's guide too.  Check out other resources available as well, from books to guidelines to articles to personal testimonies.  Start a group or class in which folks can come together, read and share.

It is my hope that we would find the courage to set aside our fears and embark on the journey to have courageous dialogues with one another, to find ways to love one another, to allow faith to overcome fear.

Whether you pick up this book or another one to begin the conversation, I just encourage the conversation.  In my previous blog posts on this topic (The Way Forward-- 4/13/18 and Another resource for Courageous Conversations in The Way Forward--4/15/18), I listed some resources that offer guides to courageous conversations with questions and outlines.

That might be the starting point for you.  Wherever the beginning point is, as John Wesley has said, "O begin!"

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Article on Wil's book:

'Way Forward' Leads Pastor to Write Book about UMC Future (by Annette Spence, September 25, 2017)

Another resource for Courageous Conversations in The Way Forward

Last week I wrote a blog post entitled "The Way Forward" that came out of Thursday's clergy meeting.  I included links to resources that had been mentioned in the meeting and others that I found.  It doesn't include everything, but maybe some of the resources will lead to dialogues.  In the post I admitted that I hadn't read any of the United Methodist books on the topics.  Over the weekend I ordered Wil Cantrell's book, Unafraid and Unashamed: Facing the Future of United Methodism.  I figured that would be a good place to start.

If you haven't seen my blogpost "The Way Forward" from 4/13/18, you can read it by clicking here.

Here is a link to Wil Cantrell's book site to check out his book: Unafraid and Unashamed.

This morning I thought about a resource I read and wanted to share it.  However, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back and add it to an already long post or start a new one.  Obviously, I chose the latter.

The resource I want to share is David Gushee's Changing Our Mind.  I read the 2nd edition a few months back, but I understand there is a 3rd edition out. I recommend this later edition because it includes a 5 week study guide, which is great for any group wishing to use it or even an individual desiring to use the questions to dig deeper.  Now I need to look into the 3rd edition myself.

2nd edition

I first heard of David Gushee when I read his book, Still Christian: Following Jesus out of American Evangelicalism (2017).  As an evangelical ethicist, I found his views on things worth the reflection.  When I learned he had written Changing Our Mind, I decided to check it out.  [All references below will be to the 2nd edition.]

What I found refreshing was that Gushee wasn't attempting to change anyone's mind.  His mind had changed over time.  He shared from his experience, from Scripture, from study.  He brought the facts to the table for discussion.  Much like the courageous conversations I learned about this past week at the clergy meeting where we come together to listen to one another.

In reading Gushee's book, the phrase "the way forward" or "a way forward" was used several times and though it isn't a United Methodist resource, it struck me that his book could be used as part of the studies for the way forward.

The first time the phrase stood out to me was in the introduction by Matthew Vines: "By addressing the core concerns of conservative Christians with respect and reasoned argument, Gushee points the way forward beyond the church's current impasse." (xxv, italics mine)

The second time I noticed this phrase, it was Gushee speaking in Chapter 3: "I hope my explorations can be helpful to individuals and churches seeking a way forward." (23, italics mine)  It was here that I wondered to myself, jotting down this question in the margin: "Is the UMC "way forward" group using his book?"  From what I have seen on the few website links I have found, I don't think his book has been used in the process, but it seems like it would be a good one to add to the mix, as he deals with the topic in a very clear and thorough manner.

At the end of Chapter 6, Gushee notes: "But regardless of your stance on the sexual ethics issues, if you have stayed with me so far, I hope you will agree that all Christians ought to be eager to offer well-informed understanding and hospitality to people of non-heterosexual orientation and identity in our families and churches.  Anything short of that is not consistent with the requirements of the Gospel." (360)

That caught my attention.  Aren't we supposed to offer hospitality to all?  Isn't that who we are, what we do as the body of Christ?

A couple of years back I had the opportunity and privilege to participate in a Conference training for Welcoming the Immigrant.  We planned for two training sessions in our Conference.  Though the focus for that training was the "other" in terms of language, culture, and country, as the church, we have the opportunity and responsibility to show the love of Christ to all that come through our doors.  And, because we don't wait for people to come through the doors, we are to go into community and show love and offer hospitality, meeting people where they are.

[PDF for Immigrant Welcoming Communities]

Yet, have you heard of Christian churches and/or families rejecting people because they were different in some way?  It isn't just a "gay" issue, though that seems to be an easier focus/target.  We have a hard time accepting and extending hospitality to any "other".

If you think you'd be willing to check out Gushee's book, you will be encouraged to note his stance on the culture: "my goal is not to accommodate culture, but to meet my responsibilities before God as a Christian leader." (16)

Gushee wants people to converse.  I believe his book is a courageous conversation starter.

In Chapter 7 he offers six options for churches in dealing with gay people.

In Chapter 8 he recognizes that this might be the point where some people get off the bus, so to speak.  Yet, before they quit reading, he gives everyone some homework to do.  After listing the seven items of homework he writes, "If this is where you get off the bus, please go with a new sense of resolve and love to serve LGBT people and to make your family, friendship group, and church a safe and loving place for everyone--and to resist the easier path of silence or indifference." (47)

For those that are willing to keep reading, he dives into the Scriptures next.

As with the information I shared the other day in my post "The Way Forward", I share this from David Gushee's book in hopes that it might jump start conversations.

I don't know where the United Methodist church is heading.  It doesn't know where it is heading.  What I do know is that I am called to love God and to love others as myself.

In order to love others, I need to be willing to get to know them, to spend time listening to them, to hear their stories.  I need to continue spending time listening to the One Voice who knows and loves me best.  I need to be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to teach me anew.

In addition to attempting to live into the greatest commandment to love God and the second one like it, to love others as myself, Micah 6:8 plays a big role for me as I seek to show hospitality to others:

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NIV)

May it be so.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra