Building Bridges: Global Connections in Methodism

In July 2022 when I joined the Global Methodist Church, I published Where I Am Going and Why I Am Leaving. I expressed my hopes and dreams for my new denomination. Today, as the Convening Conference assembles, many of those hopes and dreams are a reality. Some decisions will not go my way, and I will be disappointed that we will not be able to accomplish as much as we would like, but for today it is enough to celebrate that what I listed as my first hope for my new church home is fulfilled. It is set forth as a witness to the world. On July 6, 2022, I wrote:

“I am moving to the Global Methodist Church–a Church that is connected globally. She is guided not by American academics that will tell us what Jesus would have said if he had a proper seminary education and lived in a post enlightenment first world nation. This Church will be shepherded by faithful clergy and laity from Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America. Christians from every place have equal voice in the Church’s governance. In the councils of the church there truly is no east nor west, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south…” and “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We learn equally from each other all that God is doing throughout his kingdom, and we aid each other equally in advancing his kingdom.”

A lot of people who are devoted to that vision worked hard to bring it about. Normally, it takes six to eight years to plan an international gathering like this. Our leadership pulled it off in less than two. They assigned staff and volunteers to facilitate every visa from every country to make sure that every delegate from every nation could attend. Everything that could be done was done, and nothing that could be done was left undone. It was a heroic effort unequalled by anything I have witnessed at former General Conferences. Unfortunately, it is the nature of visas that not every one will be approved by every country having jurisdiction. A few… a very few will not be present. That saddens us. Nonetheless, though we could not achieve 100% attendance, we achieved 100% participation. Our leadership deployed remote technology and made translation services available so that every delegate will participate fully in each committee to which they are assigned and in every session of the Convening Conference.  

We do not need full participation so we can make an inclusive looking group photo while we are there. We need each other because the church has become fragmented and needs to be put back together. There are elements of the faith that have been preserved and are flourishing in every part of the world. There are elements of the faith that have been neglected and are disappearing in every part of the world. We need a genuine connection where, “We learn equally from each other what God is doing throughout his kingdom and aid each other equally in advancing his kingdom.”

The location of our Convening Conference is San Jose. Geographically, Costa Rica is a land bridge between North and South. I pray the events there will open a bridge for the Church of North and South. For too long, my stream of Methodism has ben cut off from Latin America. We enjoy some pleasant cooperation, however the relationship could be expressed as “friendly, but don’t get too close.”  Without going through the history, I have no problem placing the blame for this awkward social distancing entirely on the U.S. Church. It is understandable that the Latin church may want to observe us with suspicion for a season.

I am grateful for the assistance we have received from Methodists in the South. I am excited that several churches in the region have welcomed us, and a few have joined us. As a North American I look forward to us learning from each other.  Certain aspects of the faith have been preserved in the South that have been neglected in the U.S. There are authors being read in their seminaries and churches that have never been translated into English or any other language. They need to be.

Not everything at the Convening Conference will go my way. I will experience disappointment but not betrayal or despair.  The part of the Church I hoped for is becoming reality. This is the Church in her completeness: Christ—true God from true God—at the center. Perfect Christian charity is our present hope. Life everlasting in his never-ending kingdom is our future assurance. This is the primitive Church; evangelical, and sacramental, and orderly, and charismatic, and missional. Guarding the faith. Advancing the kingdom through authentic Christian ministry. Passionate and spontaneous in her worship while living the holiness of her great liturgy. This is the Church that can correct me when I am in error. I need this, because sometimes I am wrong.