I have wanted to write this for a while, but then Russ Abel posted this article along very similar lines. You can read that here: click here.
I remember prior to General Conference in May having lunch with another pastor. Over chips and salsa we were discussing where the United Methodist Church is at over the big hot-button topic of the day. I remember at the end of the conversation as we were heading to our cars, he advised me that because I believe in the authority of Scripture, and that I am seeking out what that Scripture is actually saying and wish to stay obedient to it, to enthusiastically take ownership that I am indeed a Conservative!
This brings up a question: Are conservatives really the only ones who see Scripture as authoritative and wish to stay obedient to them? I have had the pleasure of knowing so many pastors who would easily fall into the "progressive" camp, yet unlike how many Conservatives would paint them, they are some of the most Godly individuals that I know.
Progressives decry Conservatives for simply plucking some words out of their context in order to say that the Bible upholds their narrow view of Scripture and God (hence the accusation of proof-texting) while Conservatives condemn Progressives for taking too many liberties in their interpretation of Scripture. Both sides want God's truth to shine through this storm that the church universal is being battered around in and both sides are crying out the name of Jesus to calm this storm -- but to make sure that the storm is calmed in the way that they believe it should be calmed in.
I have seen where the name of John Wesley has been used by both sides (self-righteously) to defend their cause as being the true and just way of how the Methodist Church ought to be. Conservatives have declared John Wesley as being a dyed-in-the-wool Bible-believing conservative himself while Progressives call upon his non-traditional practices for the sake of sharing God's grace. It really makes me wonder if either side, Conservative or Progressive, could really consider and understand that John Wesley was both Conservative and Progressive.
No one can doubt Wesley's love and adherence to the Bible. Here is a man who described himself as "a man of one book." Incredibly learned, always soaking in yet more knowledge in seemingly every subject... Yet, it was because of his love for the Bible's Truth that Wesley spent his life in ministry sharing Grace with all that he came across. It was out of a desire to show grace that he started a prison ministry. It was because of grace that orphans were able to receive an education. It was out of the drive of grace that resolved himself to become more vile, putting aside any pretense left of respectability, and began to preach outside of a church in the fields. John Wesley did so many things that the conservatives of his day shook their heads at. The proof of this? His home church, St. Andrews Church in Epworth, refused to let him preach in the same pulpit as his father one Sunday morning. Almost without a second thought, John Wesley began to preach on the grave where his father was buried in the surrounding cemetery next to the church, bringing about a larger crowd than was actually inside for service!
John Wesley was incredibly Progressive and Conservative, willing to put aside the shackles of respectability and "we've always done it that way!" that had been holding so many pastors down. At the same time, John never wanted to start his own church, splitting away from the Anglican church. True to the word? Most definitely. Breaking the mold most liberally? Most certainly. This was all done for the sake of Scriptural holiness.
There must be a balance sought between Truth and Grace
What I am finding as the driving force behind many Conservatives “is Truth above all” while what drives many Progressives is “Grace above all.” There must be a balance sought between Truth and Grace - I wonder if this is one reason why Wesley emphasized a balance between the head knowledge and heart knowledge of God. Now, I am not saying that Conservatives display no grace or that Progressives preach no truth, but a balance is certainly off when you begin to declare that schism from those that don't believe like you is the only prudent necessary course of action.
I am reminded of Paul's words about the church being like a body. We are many parts that need one another to help keep us in check. I see fantastic examples of personal holiness and spiritual discipline being practiced and preached by Conservatives, while at the same time I am in awe of the social justice ministries that are spearheaded by Progressives. We need each other! We have been given the opportunity by God to sharpen each other, to make each other stronger. Instead, I have seen where this beautiful church has done exactly what Paul declares we should not do in Romans 14 - we have been judging one another and have been tearing one another down with our arguments and actions.
Let's be honest: vows have been broken on both sides.
If the extremes of those in the church force a choice instead of seeking unity, it will be a day where my heart along with the hearts of many others will break. That would be a day that would seem to say that Truth and Grace cannot coexist with one another within the United Methodist Church. It will be a day where labeling one another Conservative or Progressive overrode our true identity: Children of God.
I for one am praying for unity and harmony, even in the midst of this storm. To me, that is the most Wesleyan thing I can and should do.
Please, if you are to label me, label me a Child of God seeking both Truth and Grace.
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