Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network: January 2011 Devotion--CWAC

"A progressive Methodist-related Movement dedicated to BEing the fully inclusive church"

January 2011 Devotion

A New Year, An Old Covenant, and a Bold Methodist-related Movement

As a new year begins, many congregations around the world perform the Methodist Covenant Service, a practice that dates back to the movement's founder, John Wesley.

On many occasions, Wesley urged that an opportunity be provided for Methodists to make, or renew, their "covenant" with God. It is vitally important that we recognize this covenant is not a promise of allegiance to The United Methodist Church, or to any of the many denominations that trace their roots back to John Wesley. John Wesley's Covenant was with God, not the Church.

I grieve the ending of my journey with the United Methodist Church (UMC), and celebrate my choice to join a genuine Methodist movement.

As 2010 draws to an end, I grieve the ending of my journey with the United Methodist Church (UMC), and celebrate my choice to join a genuine Methodist movement. I grieve for many other people who have been rejected, oppressed, persecuted, and spiritually abused by a denomination that is wounded and crippled with legalism, a command and control hierarchy, bigotry, heterosexism, and fear. Although there are many good people who are clergy or members of the UMC, the denomination no longer speaks authentically of the grace and love of Jesus. Every decision and action of the UMC that denounces gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered children of God is an act of spiritual abuse.

I believe that Jesus would confront the legalistic, hierarchical, authoritarian structure of the United Methodist Church in the same fashion that he spoke against the Pharisees and Jewish Priests. When Jesus warns people about the yeast of the Pharisees, he is warning about their legalism and tendency to abuse their power over people. It is not the specific people who are filling the roles of bishop, but the systems and the human tendency to sin that is the root of the illness that has infected the UMC with a deadly virus. Any system that exercises the kind of absolute power (within a culture of secrecy) over clergy that UMC bishops exercise is doomed to falling victim to oppression and injustice.

Jesus modeled and taught nonhierarchical servant leadership. Command hierarchical authority is what exists within the UMC appointment process. Bishops exercise control over district superintendents and together they make decisions that affect the lives of clergy and local church members. There is a culture of secrecy, cover-ups, and lies surrounding the appointment decisions. By its very nature, this model of leadership is oppressive.

I have been discriminated against in the appointment process for a number of issues

Robyn Morrison

including who I married (a UMC Elder), my gender, and my prophetic voice. I am not afraid to speak truth to power. I also discovered that I am unwilling to submit to the absolute authority of a bishop. Although I once thought I could work for change from within the UMC, I realized that I cannot be ordained into a system that I believe is hypocritical and unChristian.

Yet God's movement towards personal and social holiness, God's movement to reach the poor, the abused, the outcast, the marginalized, the oppressed with a message of grace and salvation in this life cannot be stopped. God's prevenient grace is unstoppable.

The Church Within A Church movement is one of the ways that God is working to revitalize the tradition of early Methodism, to transform individual lives, communities, and the world through the power of spiritual companions and disciplines.

If we are to counter the forces of heterosexism, racism, gender discrimination, classism, and other forms of injustice, we also need to dismantle oppressive power structures. As a New Year begins, I have a challenge for progressive inclusive UMC clergy and laity; do something prophetic, bold, and courageous. Join the CWAC movement. Publicly support the ideals and mission of CWAC. If you are ordained, then request Dual Covenant through The Church Within A Church. If you are fully committed to ending homophobia and the spiritual abuse that institutional Christianity has inflicted upon gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered people and other gender and sexual queers, then stop allowing yourself to be silenced.

If the military can end 'don't ask, don't tell' it is high time that followers of Jesus do the same. It is time to end the silence. It is time to come out of the closet with your support for justice, inclusion, and an end to oppressive forms of leadership. This year renew your covenant to God, and stand firm in your rejection of the official position of the UMC.

by Robyn Morrison

soon to be ordained by The Church Within A Church Movement

***Become a Member of the Church Within A Church Movement

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***Explore Dual Covenant status with CWAC

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