An adaptive change in Methodist ecclesiology has led to
three (and sort of four) technical changes in the Missouri Annual Conference.
The adaptive change in question is a shift in philosophy
from a connectional attitude toward a congregational attitude. I have a couple
of ideas about why this change was implemented, but those motivations are not
the subject of this post. The shift itself is happening, as evidenced by the
aforementioned technical changes.
The first technical change that was impacted was in our connectional
support of community based service
agencies. This connectional support (what the UMC calls “apportionments”) was
given to a long list of groups working to alleviate injustice, poverty,
homelessness, hunger, etc. all around the state. We supported them
connectionally because of a philosophy that said, “We can do more together than
we can alone.”
When that change happened, we were encouraged to think more
congregationally. Now, individual congregations are in relationship with service
groups that have particular local meaning: maybe hometown agencies, agencies
that dealt with an issue of particular importance to the congregation, or
agencies led by people in the congregation.
The second technical change that happened was in our
resourcing of campus ministries at
colleges and universities. Again, the philosophy behind maintaining on-campus
facilities and appointing clergy to serve on campuses was that “we can do more
together than we can alone,” in this case with regard to nurturing the
Christian discipleship of students in college.
The Annual Conference decided to change the way we do campus
ministry by encouraging local congregations to start college-age ministries of
their own. And today there are many vibrant and vital college-age ministries based
out of congregations all across our state.
The third change is ongoing, and relates to Annual
Conference support for church camps and
retreats. Rather than pool our resources connectionally to support staff
and facilities designated for church camping and retreats, a different vision
has been cast.
It is still unclear what this vision is exactly, but seems
to revolve around 1) bringing the idea of camping to local congregations and 2)
individual directors of camps seeking out their own facilities in which to hold
them. In broad terms, a shift from connectional support of camping and retreats
to a more local, congregational vision. Because this is an ongoing change, it
is unclear what exactly the result will be.
The “sort of” fourth thing I want to mention is a
wonderfully connectional idea called “Serve.”
The idea of a “Serve Day” grew out of a vision of United Methodists all across
the conference serving outside the walls of our church buildings. It was an
amazing idea – thousands of people working on the same designated day to truly
make a tangible impact for God’s sake in communities all across the state.
It did not take long, however, for this distinctly
Methodist, “we can do more together” idea to fade away. Rather than a designated
“Serve Day,” congregations are now encouraged to adopt the attitude of Serve
throughout our ministries all year long. I can’t help but wonder if the idea of
a Serve Day was simply too connectional to withstand the current trend toward
congregationalism.
Finally I would like to add that I do not offer this as a negative
criticism of the current climate, simply an observation. I am not offering one
approach as “better” than another. I’m simply naming something that I’ve
observed, a trend that I see taking place in the United Methodist Church.
Personally, I prefer a more connectional model of church over
a more congregational one. That’s just my preference, though. I understand that
the local church is where disciples are made most effectively, and so I can see
the logic to the shift.
And I’m sure the pendulum will swing back the other way at
some point, and we’ll reclaim some more of our connectional spirit again. It
may look different, which I actually think will be a good thing. Our “connection”
hasn’t really been “connected” for some time. We have lived in the illusion of
connection for a long time now. I believe that it has become a top-heavy
connection, deriving our connectional identity from conferences and agencies
that exist on a far different plane from many United Methodists “in the pews.”
Perhaps a new connectionalism will emerge that connects
congregations in new and innovative ways, “in the trenches,” so to speak. Maybe
Methodists will connect personally with other Methodists in ministry and
service in ways that nobody has thought of yet. That’s pretty exciting
actually!
Right now, we’re focused pretty intently on “healthy
congregations.” I get that. I appreciate that. I just hope that we don’t lose a
valuable part of our identity as Methodists in the process. I'm looking forward to new and creative ways to "Hold dear the
connection!"
