…From Bogata to Burkburnett: Focusing on our connection

BY RICHARD B. HEARNE
NTC Board of Laity, Chair

In a recent article in the UM Reporter, Dr. Donald W. Haynes wrote about being questioned by a new seminary
graduate with “Do you see United Methodism having a future of consequence in American Christianity?” This is a question that continues to plague many of our leaders, both clergy and laity.

Dr. Haynes answered, “It depends on our level of passion of soul, “fire in the belly” and doctrinal identity. Discussing the latter, he questioned “Do we really understand who we are, are we communicating it and are we committed to the mission?” I think that Haynes has really hit on something that we need to consider as we continue to plan for the future of our local churches and our denomination.

Looking at the latter, doctrinal identity, is a great cause of concern for me. I think our denomination has really changed over the past 50 years from a body of believers that were born and raised in the Methodist tradition to a group of persons that come from other traditions and have found a home in the United Methodist Church. We often hear pundits say “that as long as Catholics continue to marry Baptists, there will always be a United Methodist Church.”

While this is such a blessing it also has resulted in many folks being members of the UMC but not really knowing what it means to be a United Methodist. As Dr. Haynes mentions our situation is that many of us do not understand who we are. We laugh (uncomfortably) when people say anyone can be a United Methodist because you don’t have to believe in anything–which is not true.

If we are to have a “future of consequence” in the future, we must help our members understand our Wesleyan history and know who we are and what we believe. Once we know who we are, we must begin to communicate to others what it means to be a United Methodist Christian.

According to Haynes, “Grace theology has become the most frequently used phrase to summarize our United Methodist doctrine,” which is not the reality in many denominations. Our world longs for this concept of grace as people wish to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We must all know how to explain this concept of grace, of an open communion table, infant baptism, the appointive system and our connection to each other and to the world.

The good news is that we are not starting from scratch with our need to communicate. On the national level our “cross and flame” is one of the most recognizable logos in the religious world and our recent “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” campaign by UM Communications has brought the UMC much positive attention. On a local level the NTC Communication Department has been a leader in gaining recognition by the Bring A Friend Sunday, Home for Christmas/Watch Night and other promotional campaigns.

Our salvation I believe is in our “Connection”–the unique way we are all tied together. Our downfall will be if our local churches continue to operate as independent entities. My goal as the Conference Lay Leader will continue to focus on our connection. The first step in this process is a conference wide meeting of the local church Lay Leaders with Bishop Earl Bledsoe on Sat., Feb. 7 at First UMC, McKinney.

Our purpose is to provide training for our Lay Leaders to take back to their local churches, to understand the relationship between the local church and the annual conference and to share in the vision of our new bishop. The NTC Board of Laity, which is sponsoring the event, is hoping that all local church Lay Leaders (or their representatives) will be in attendance.

For more information, please call 214-505-2324, or e-mail: rbhearne@sbcglobal.net. I know why I have chosen to be a United Methodist – how about you?