Methodists wrestle with possible split

The possible springtime split of the United Methodist Church, the nation’s third-largest Christian denomination, seems in some ways like another kind of breakup, as far as the Rev. Howard Boles can tell.

He’s senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in downtown Columbus.

“This almost is like a divorce in which you’re waiting for one spouse to say, ‘I’m done and I’m going to leave,’” Boles said.

United Methodist Church leaders from around the world and across ideological divides recently unveiled a plan for a new conservative denomination that would split from the church in an attempt to resolve a dispute stretching more than 40 years over gay marriage and gay clergy.

That proposal, one of several, is called “A Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation,” envisions an amicable separation in which conservative churches forming a new denomination would retain their assets. The new denomination also would receive $25 million.

The proposal was signed in December by a 16-member panel, who worked with an independent mediator and began meeting in October.

The United Methodist Church’s future direction on these issues will be determined at the next General Conference assembly May 5 through May 15 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Boles, who has been outspoken in his support of LGBTQ issues locally and nationally, looks forward to resolving differences.

He said decisions in May could strengthen United Methodists overall in the long run.

“For those of us on a more progressive scale, this will mean that we don’t have to be arguing and fighting about these things,” Boles said. “We eventually can once again focus on mission and ministries and the kind of things I think that churches should be known for. And I think that in itself will be a very good step for all of us.”

Boles said there have been several well-attended Sunday school classes and general discussions of the issue spread over several months at First United Methodist to keep members informed of developments and what those developments could mean for individual congregations.

“Folks have asked some really good questions,” Boles said.

What is known as the Traditional Plan became effective Jan. 1 in the U.S.

The new rules, adopted by a 438-384 vote at the emotionally-charged special General Conference in St. Louis last year, strengthen longtime bans on “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy and same-sex weddings, according to the United Methodist News service.

The new proposal is the work of a group of traditionalists, progressives and centrists.

But the Rev. Steve Austin, pastor of Sandy Hook United Methodist Church in Columbus, is careful to point out that multiple plans have been mentioned for United Methodists, and not just the one that most media have focused on for more than a week.

Sandy Hook’s congregation discussed the issue of a possible split at a special meeting Sunday evening.

“The (Sandy Hook) congregation as a whole is pretty well in the middle,” Austin said. “I think they could go either way. I’m still squarely on the traditional side.”

His perspective and opinion, as he said in a Republic story last year, simply reflects his view of Scripture.

The pastor said he took pains to balance his presentation.

“I wanted to give them the raw information — not my interpretation of it,” Austin said.

The Rev. Dave Blystone, pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church in Columbus, mentioned last year that his church, like Sandy Hook, has people on both sides of the issue. And he emphasized that church members must show love to others, no matter what.

“Regardless of what our (denominational) law says, the real question is ‘How do we minister to all the people around us, regardless of who they are?’” Blystone said.