I’d like to introduce you to Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops.  Not that I’ve met him personally.  But he released a video on May 30, 2023 about the future of the United Methodist Church, and is inviting each United Methodist to find their role in what he is calling “the next expression of Methodism.”  At our last General Conference in 2019, a resolution was passed to allow churches to “disaffiliate”—that is, to leave the denomination, with special terms that allow churches to leave and take their property with them as long as they complete the process by the end of this year.  That is not usually the case, but limited time only “graceful exit” plan was put in place to try to help put an end to our long-term divisions.  Across the denomination, most of this work has now been completed at all the different annual conference meetings.  In Eastern Pennsylvania at our annual conference in May, five churches were approved for disaffiliation.  Five is a lot, but it’s not a big percentage of our congregations.  We still have about 400 churches in Eastern PA.  But some regions of the country have experienced much more intense conflict.  For instance, a couple weeks ago in mid-June, at the Western Pennsylvania annual conference, 298 of their roughly 800 churches were approved for disaffiliation.  It has been a season of conflict, frustration, and sadness.

I almost didn’t even notice this new video from Bishop Bickerton, because it’s been hard to stay tuned in to everything happening in our denomination these last few months.  But recently I got an email with some catchy graphics and the words, “Reclaim. Revive. Renew”.  I like those words!  So I clicked on the link, and up came this video from Bishop Bickerton.  It sounds to me like he prepared this video from a bird’s eye view—he is able to see that the tension in our denomination over differing views on human sexuality has come to a head, and now our denomination is turning a corner.  He is sharing that bird’s eye view and says “now is the time” to move forward.   As we anticipate our next General Conference in 2024, Bishop Bickerton is inviting us to “sign up again for a lifelong commitment to ministry” in both our local congregations and in our denomination, and to seek “a new conversion of our spirits.”  Bishop Bickerton seems to have faith that much better days are ahead for the United Methodist Church, if we work together and do not give up.

Let’s take a few minutes to watch the Bishop Bickerton video now.  OR, for those of your reading at home, here is a transcript of the video.

 

Reclaim. Revive. Renew.  The Future of the United Methodist Church.

Friends, the time has come. It’s now time for you and me to work together to architect the next expression of United Methodism.  The future of the United Methodist Church hinges on our ability to deeply pray that God will give us the strength and the courage to do what we must, what we have been called to do all along.  I believe it hinges on the faith that Paul talked about in Ephesians when he proclaimed that God at work in us is able to achieve abundantly far more than any of us can ever ask or imagine.  What do you say we Reclaim, Revive and Renew our beloved connection.  Together. 

Reclaim.  It’s time for us to reclaim this church.  We have an opportunity to re-claim our identity—who we are as United Methodists.  Personally, I became a Methodist because this grace thing worked for me.  When life was rough and times were uncertain, there was a refuge from the storm at a place called Calvary United Methodist Church in Moundsville, West Virginia.  That was my home church.  That place did an excellent job of confirming faith as something that I could embrace as my own.  The concepts, “do no harm, do good, stay in love with God”—they were simple enough that even the son of a blue-collar worker from Appalachia could understand and live them.  Within the community of the church, I found unity around the essentials of grace, hope, joy, love, and justice.  I learned to be open enough to listen to the viewpoints of others and give people freedom to celebrate the gifts that God gave to them, and most of all, to love in all things. 

Friends, this is the basis of our own reclamation project, to find a renewed sense of call, to seek a new conversion of our spirit, to get out of our churches and into our communities, to preach and teach and heal and comfort the afflicted, to confront the injustices of our day, and be willing to stand anywhere necessary to share with everyone that they are welcome and to look at what the good news of God’s love really means in life.

Revive.  It’s time to revive this church.  What do you say we give new energy and passion to the ministry of making disciples for Jesus Christ.  Let’s revive our belief, our sense of expectancy, and our eagerness for the blessing of the Holy Spirit to guide our steps.  Let’s once again get curious about the mysterious work of God in our midst.  And let’s love coming to church again and make absolutely sure that when people pass by our buildings they will know that inside those walls are people who absolutely love God and genuinely love every soul as a part of God’s creation.  Let’s offer our radical love, genuine hospitality and sincere engagement.  When’s the last time you invited someone to go to church with you?  Invited them to go because you believed enough in what was happening there that you couldn’t contain yourself?  Whether it’s a refuge from the storm, warm clothes, an open and welcome table, or a soul-stirring worship service, ministry is always about building relationships and it’s always about taking someone along with you on the journey toward Christ-like holiness.

Renew.  It’s time for us to renew this church.  Recently, our focus hasn’t always been trained on the call that God has placed on us.  What do you say, we sign up again for a lifelong commitment to ministry.  The missional work we have before is absolutely vital. The world needs us.  So, let’s renew our response.  You and I, we share a story.  I have always believed that United Methodists have the most relevant theology for a broken world.  I believe that now more than I ever have.  What we have must be passed on with purpose and conviction:  our ministries, our faith in Christ, our presence in communities around the world.  These are vibrant, lifegiving, transformative opportunities to make this world a better place—the place that God envisioned for all of us.  A place where everyone can thrive.

As we look forward, as we architect our next steps together, let us give thanks for our shared values, our shared calling, and our beautiful, diverse connection—a connection that enables us to reach out and proclaim the love of God in every corner of the world.  Friends, it’s time.  Will you join me and millions of your fellow United Methodists across the world as we reclaim, revive, and renew the United Methodist Church?  Let’s keep this story alive.  Let’s make it vibrant for today, tomorrow, and always.  May it be so.  O God in heaven, may it be so. Amen.    

 

I am so glad Bishop Bickerton took time to make this video.  It’s a “meet the moment” kind of speech.  He has a unique vantage point and can see what’s going in the denomination better than anyone.  As he looks around, he sees loss, of course.  But he also sees opportunity.  Or maybe more accurately, he sees, “God-portunity”.  I got this made-up word from a clergy colleague, Rev. Alicia Julie Stanley, who serves two United Methodists congregations in Shamokin.  Bishop Bickerton seems to be saying, here we are at a unique time in our denomination’s history.  In other settings he has reflected on the divisions we have suffered, and has lobbied for extending grace and peace to those congregations who have left.  But now he has a message for those who remain:  we have a God-portunity!  God is not done with us!  If we will pray deeply and connect to the Holy Spirit and each other, we can reclaim our beloved connection, see it revive, and help it fulfill its call with renewed strength and vigor.

One of my favorite themes from the video is how Bishop Bickerton said at his home church growing up, he learned to live with people who were different from him.  He learned to listen to different viewpoints, and he learned to “give people freedom to celebrate the gifts that God gave to them.”  The other day I was in the grocery store, and a man I know from the Riddle Village Sunday night services came up to me and said, “I’m so glad you’re not Southern Baptist!”  You may have heard that as a denomination, the Southern Baptists have decided to reinforce their rule about no women pastors.  The issue of giving people freedom to celebrate the gifts that God gave to them is very personal for me!  While some denominations are making it a priority to take away some people’s freedom to live into their gifts, we are trying to promote that freedom.  I hope you will take some time this summer to complete at least one spiritual gift inventory, and then ask God to help you figure out the best ways to deploy your gifts in service to the church and the world.

In our scripture lesson today, Paul is trying to help the Christians in Rome learn the same lessons Bishop Bickerton learned at his home church growing up:  how to live with people who are different, how to listen to different viewpoints and live out different convictions, and how to give people freedom to live according to the way the Spirit is gifting them and leading them.  The main controversy in Paul’s day for the Christians in Rome stemmed from some of the Christians having come to Christ through their Jewish faith, and some coming to faith without first practicing Judaism.  These Gentile believers weren’t circumcised, they didn’t keep kosher with the eating and cooking habits, they didn’t follow all the Old Testament rules.  There was a lot of tension between the two groups, each one apparently thinking they were “RIGHT” and the others were “WRONG”.  Sound familiar?

So Paul crafts a message to “meet the moment”.  He’s looking at things from a bird’s-eye view.  He sees as job #1 Jesus’ prayer that his disciples be one.  This lofty goal, Jesus’ heart’s desire, is that we experience communion with each other—bonds so strong, we are connected to God and each other forever!  This is far more important than anyone else’s individual preferences and beliefs.  Paul reminds them of Jesus’ teaching.  He says to stop worrying about what others are doing and remember each of us will be held accountable for what we did.  He says to stop passing judgment on one another.  He says, don’t let your convictions become a stumbling block for someone else.  Give people space to live out their faith according to how they Spirit is leading them. Give people space to change and grow.  Don’t be a discourager.  Be an encourager!  “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.”

Bishop Bickerton’s video reminded me that we sit on the edge of a God-portunity.  We are in the midst of a unique moment in the life of our denomination, and in our world.  Now is a great time to reclaim our values of 1) do no harm; 2) do as much good as we can and 3) stay in love with God.  Now is a great time to pray for a revival in our ranks.  Now is the time to seek a renewal of our spirits.  Let’s sign up again for a lifetime of ministry, as disciples of Jesus Christ.  For his glory, and for the transformation of the world.  Amen.