United Methodists in America are clearly rejecting some proposals of their leaders. Those leaders are the
Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table (47 clergy and laypersons), and many of the delegates to the 2008
General Conference. That group was responsible for the 32 constitutional amendments that were approved
by at least a 2/3rd vote of the 2008 General Conference. As of this date (June 24), the rank and file United
Methodists of America, expressing themselves through their Annual Conferences, have delivered a resounding
rejection to the six most dangerous amendments— Amendments I (1), IV (4), X (10), XIII (13), XXIII
(23), and XXVI (26). Currently most of the amendments are being rejected by at least a 2/3rd vote.
None of them has received even a simple majority (51%) approval. And we haven’t heard from most of the Central
Conferences yet. American Methodists are sending some clear messages to their leadership:
1. Many delegates to the 2008 General Conference
did not represent very well the beliefs and concerns
of United Methodists back home.
2. The leadership of our church should stop tinkering
with our organization because organization
is not our problem.
3. The main problem of the UMC is spiritual and
theological. We no longer have consensus
about our mission and message.
We’re not sure anymore that all persons in their natural condition are lost and need to be saved. We’re not
sure anymore about the purpose of the cross and whether it was necessary. We have a desperate need for our bishops to lead us in recovering our fundamental beliefs as stated in our Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith.
St. Paul taught us that “if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?” (I Cor. 14:8).
Over the past forty years, Methodism’s gospel trumpet has often been muted and sometimes silent. We don’t
need to compromise Christ with culture. We must lift up Christ in order to transform culture.