May 13, 2003

As United Methodists prepare for the 2004 legislative session that will determine future directions of the denomination, an ad hoc group of clergy and lay leaders has released a book addressing their concerns about attempts to restrict theological and social diversity.

The book, United Methodism at Risk: A Wake-up Call, was published this spring by the Information Project for United Methodists, an unofficial group led by retired United Methodist Bishop C. Dale White and Beth Capen, a layperson from Kingston, N.Y. Financial sponsor was Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. Leon Howell, former editor of Christianity and Crisis magazine, is the author.

White provided copies of the book to the denomination's Council of Bishops during the council's April 28-May 2 meeting in Dallas. He told United Methodist News Service that he wanted his fellow bishops to know exactly what information the book contained.

Focusing on "conservative renewal movements related to the United Methodist Church," the book outlines the history, funding sources, strategies and tactics of the renewal groups. Specifically named are Good News, Renew, the Mission Society for United Methodists, Lifewatch, the Confessing Movement, the Association for Church Renewal, a Foundation for Theological Education, Transforming Congregations and the Coalition for United Methodist Accountability.

The book's study guide, written by White and the Rev. Scott Campbell, pastor of Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church in Cambridge, Mass., notes, "The leaders of the conservative renewal groups operate with a narrowly focused theological and socio-political agenda. Many receive large grants from non-church organizations with a distinct political and ideological agenda unrelated to making disciples of Christ."

Although the critique is not meant to question the integrity of the "sincere, faithful Christians" who support these groups, White and Campbell write, those Christians need to make "informed decisions about what it is they are supporting."

The Rev. James V. Heidinger II, president and publisher of Good News, called the book a third-rate attempt at an expose designed to prop up a liberal viewpoint that is, in his opinion, fading across the church.

"The book is a sustained attack from the old-guard denominational establishment whose views have been dominant for the past 30 or more years, during which time our church has lost nearly 3 million members," he said in a statement to United Methodist News Service. He also objected to the distribution of a book published by an unofficial group at the Council of Bishops meeting.

White said he hopes the book's release in late April would allow time "for people to do some critical thinking" as the denomination prepares for its top legislative body, the 2004 General Conference. The church's annual (regional) conferences are electing delegates to General Conference as they meet this spring and summer.

One concern, for example, is the attempt to challenge "freedom of theological inquiry" and set up structures "to police the pulpits of Methodism," White said.

The book's preface calls upon "those who share our convictions" to insist that General Conference delegates consider the good of the whole church in their decisions and be able to "approach that gathering with open minds and open hearts."

The theological conflict in the United Methodist Church needs to be addressed "from a perspective that's broader than that of the conservative renewal groups," the bishop explained. "We really wanted people to understand where these groups originated and what is the source of their funding and support."

White said he doesn't question the right of such groups to advocate for their particular theological positions. But he added that he does question their methods and what he and others consider attempts "to spread fear and mistrust through the denomination" through intimidation and character assassination.

In Heidinger's view, the renewal groups under criticism in the book "are attempting to speak for mainstream United Methodists across the church. To be sure, we've not always done that perfectly. But this sweeping assault, under the cloak of scholarship, seems little more than an attempt to marginalize and silence groups speaking for the church's mainstream."

United Methodist News Service