2 Florida United Methodist Review Online

Clergy call for new focus from General Conference

By Michael Wacht

LAKELAND — Headlines in United Methodist publications over the past few months have focused on the issues of homosexuality, denominational structure and finances. While these issues will likely capture the attention of delegates to the denomination’s General Conference in Cleveland May 2-12, some Florida Conference clergy hope delegates will focus more on the mission and vision of the church.

In an informal survey conducted by Review staff via e-mail earlier this month, conference clergy expressed their opinions about General Conference’s focus and their personal feelings on issues scheduled to be addressed.

Most who responded said the hot issues would take precedence, but that those issues are symptomatic of different problems.

"I know there will be much debate on issues like homosexuality and abortion…and these are critical issues in themselves," said the Rev. Al Beck Jr., pastor of North Ft. Myers United Methodist Church. "However, it seems to me that they are corollary issues whose core is one of identity. Who are we as United Methodist Christians? Are there any ‘non-negotiables’ of faith, or is truth transient?"

The Rev. Brian Fowler, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Apalachicola, said issues like homosexuality "simply keep our wheels spinning" with discussion that doesn’t lead to decision or conclusion.

"Issues such as these will take our eyes off of the call of Christ, which is to make disciples of all nations and baptize them," Fowler said. "…the most important issue that needs to be tackled is how are we as a Church going to disciple our own people and newcomers to our denomination. I know that this does not seem like a hot issue, but that is the whole point, it needs to be a hot issue."

The Rev. James Ulmer, a retired United Methodist pastor, agrees. "…the main issue should always be evangelism," he said. "What can we do to reach more people with the distinct message that Methodism has in sharing Christ with others?"

Some say focus on Scripture

Other clergy said the church should focus on the Bible and restore scripture as the central authority of the denomination.

"…we must deliver what is right and what is wrong…according to the scripture," said the Rev. JinHo Kim, a member of Conference serving the Korean Evangelical United Methodist Church in Minnesota. "The UMC must make her direction very clearly to the Word of God, not to human philosophies, nor to any arguments."

The Rev. Jorge Acevedo, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Coral and a member of the conference’s General Conference delegation, said the United Methodist Church needs to decide if it will be a Biblical church.

"Is the orthodox and apostolic heritage of the primacy of scripture going to be central to the United Methodist Church or not?" he said. "As a delegate to General Conference, I will affirm the authority of scripture, regardless of the issue being considered."

Others ask for practical focus

Other clergy expressed a desire to focus on issues that directly relate to how local churches function. The Rev. James Rosenburg, pastor of George Young Memorial United Methodist Church in Palm Harbor, hopes delegates will address technology and structure, access to resources that help churches provide new worship experiences, and other issues.

He said churches are no longer getting value for their money from general boards. "More and more churches are looking to organizations outside the UMC for more relevant ways to meet their needs," Rosenburg said. "It is time to get on the cutting edge and be the church of the future, instead of debating issues about church life that will ultimately be decided in local church."

James Roach, part-time supply pastor at Tustenuggee United Methodist Church in Fort White, said he wants General Conference to address issues facing smaller churches, which usually do not have access to materials, programs and seminars that can help them grow and thrive. There is a need for church agencies or personnel dedicated to helping small-membership churches deal with practical issues, he said.

Some are disconnected

Some pastors, retired and active, said they preferred not to comment. One retired pastor said the denomination had made it clear that it is not interested in his opinion. The Rev. Bob Bushong, pastor of Peace United Methodist Church in Orlando, said he didn’t have an opinion to express about General Conference issues because "I don’t feel very connected to the larger church.