WHY?

By Peter L. DeGroote

As I approach retirement my thoughts increasingly turn to the seemingly compulsive effort of the UM Church to shore up and expand its membership. Why? To what end?

It is customary, but not universal, for an organization’s members to want it to expand. I can testify that most pastors long for a larger congregation, although I am not always sure of our motives. Bishop's motives are complex but they have all vowed to preserve and advance the institution of the church, which becomes a primary goal for them and a primary measure of their career success.* It is all very worldly and the follower of Jesus has to ask why.

The great heroes of Jewish scripture are the prophets who challenged the preservers of their religious institutions. Jesus was certainly a major threat to the religious institutions of his day. We can add numerous reformers from Christian history to the list—as well as a number who were burned at the stake or were otherwise dispensed with. And we cannot forget John Wesley. His approach was peaceful; he organized around the establishment.

In “Absent Gifts,” a recent post to this blog, Darius Hills lamented the loss of many promising people to the UMC because of its exclusive policies. (Yes, one is either exclusive or inclusive, no middle road.) That squares with my experience. The church I serve is adjacent to The George Washington University. A sentiment I have heard from students is no less meaningful by being a quote from elsewhere: “If you don’t want my friends you don’t want me.”

In another post on this blog Tina Seitz (“What Does Religion Teach Us”) connects the cause/effect relationship between the church's devaluation of GLBT folks and violence. By way of comments to that post, Pastor Keith McIlwain tried to deny the connection. The events at recent political rallies should offer sufficient evidence that the words of leaders can give a license to hate. It is not enough to say “that is not what I meant.” One has to be responsible for the consequences of one’s actions, which includes one’s words.

Going further, Antony Hebblethwaite reports words about the church from a friend who once attempted suicide: The authority to ruin my life and cause me to live in fear of God and man – to deny my basic humanity – and to learn to hate myself. Antony – I almost killed myself!! God damn it – how can I possibly affirm a faith who’s basic nature would push me to take my life. My faith in Christ requires a denial of my basic value as a human being.

So, I add to my question: Why should one support the expansion of such an institution? I’ll keep thinking.

*It is instructive to read the “Examination” section of the Consecration Service for Bishops.The Book of Worship, Page 702.