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By Melissa Rudolph
Pastor, North Carroll Cooperative Parish

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In the last edition of the UMConnection, there was a graphic depicting the church torn into two parts, with commentary from representatives on each of the sides. But this is not an accurate picture of where our church stands right now. The truth is that there are not two sides in this debate: there is at least one more.

I consider myself to be part of a large group in the middle that is not for status quo and not for being lukewarm or choosing not to take a stand.

Rather, what many of us in the middle are for is the entire body of United Methodists as a global, connectional church. Our Book of Discipline, in
part II, is headed by the description “Global Book of Discipline.” It states: “The Book of Discipline reflects our Wesleyan way of serving Christ through doctrine and disciplined Christian life. We are a worldwide denomination united by doctrine, discipline, and mission through our connectional covenant. The Book of Discipline expresses that unity.” (¶101)

Through Holy Conferencing, we come to agree on a set of principles by which we are governed. We may not     
 all agree with them and we may commit ourselves to trying to change them, but for any of us to sidestep the work of our own bishops and Boards of Ordained Ministry is a breach of our covenant as a people.

Many call acts of defiance in this current climate “civil disobedience.” But, what they miss is that by definition, “civil” disobedience does not pertain to ecclesiastical life. It is not for the church, but for secular society.

What I value most about our United Methodist Church is that there is no one group, faction or person able to speak on the Church’s behalf, except for the General Conference. If we ignore items that arise within that body because they simply don’t fit our own agendas, then we are forcing the issues in a way that is no more than cultural imperialism.

I do not side with any polarizing faction within our church. I am part of the global, connectional, United Methodist Church and stand to honor the voice and contributions of all our ministry partners around the world, not just a vocal minority in the United States.

As the apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, “Brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Agree with each other and don’t be divided into rival groups. Instead, be restored with the same mind and the same purpose.” (1 Corinthians 1:10, CEB)

We die to ourselves in order to be united in the body that holds us accountable: that is what we do to be part of this movement called Methodism. We humble ourselves before the God who uses each of us in unique ways and in different seasons.

Connection. Discipline. These matter if we are going to be a force in the world. When these are broken, then we are impotent.