In January of 2020 I published my point-of-view on “The Imminent Separation of The ‘United’ Methodist Church.” Recently, there has been an update (for me personally) on the matter. My logic in that POV has not changed, but my affiliation has. I commented, in my observations, that I do not desire to question anyone’s sense of calling; and I still have no interest in doing so, for the very reasons I enumerated. I am, also, still only concerned with freedom. As I have noted elsewhere, we are each free to decide and make decisions for ourselves. Each of you and I will have to answer for ourselves one day – good or bad, right or wrong.

As I have, also, noted many times, I do not care about the homosexual arguments within the UMC. You are free to make your own decisions, but you cannot legislate (or otherwise) that I agree or disagree with you. I commented, first, that I would remain in the UMC, regardless, because I assumed a sense of freedom in their argument. And secondly, I said that I would remain because I am not the alternative – i.e., “Traditional.” The new Methodist denomination that was forming out of the splintered UMC was claiming a “traditional” stance, and I have never been accused of being traditional!

Three occurrences (or observations) have changed my mind about my affiliation:

1. Because I was not ordained in the UMC, I had to go before a committee every year for accountability – the District Committee on Ordained Ministry – in order to retain my License. During my 2022 and 2023 meetings, I was told that “there is no mechanism in place within the UMC for [me].” The institution has always struggled with what, exactly, to do with me, but this was a different struggle altogether. So, I had decided in August of this year (2023) that I would not go before the committee in 2024 – effectively ending my work within the UMC. I had been ordained “by the people” in 2001 – outside of the four-walls of the institution – and I decided to continue in the work of “the unchurched.”
2. My assumption of freedom within the argument of the UMC was called into question. I have made it clear – I do not care about the homosexual argument; do your thing. As it turns out, that is not enough to maintain good standing. According to my observations and experience, I must accept and agree with their opinion on the matter, and fully support the social movement of the times. Again, as I have noted many times, I will live free; thinking for myself! I will not be bullied or coerced into “group think.” Neither will I forfeit The Gospel of Grace in exchange for The Gospel of Social Justice. In short: I WILL NOT CONFORM (Romans 12:2)
3. Being a meta-observer, I like to keep note of all the moving pieces on the chess board of society. I had previously made another assumption on the subject of the imminent separation of the UMC; namely, that the “traditional” denomination that formed was an attempt to maintain a kind-of status quo. My assumption, after extensive research, was wrong.
   

The Global Methodist Church is a reformation movement (of sorts) in the historical “traditions” of Methodism. It senses that the UMC has lost the Vision of God’s worldview for the church. I am a Methodist – my theology best aligns with those of John Wesley and his Methodist Movement; especially the American Methodist movement instituted by the likes of Thomas Coke and Frances Asbury. My understanding and interpretations of Pauline Theology – the Cruciform, specifically – speak directly to the Methodist theology of “Scriptural Holiness” and “Holy Living.” To summarize: The GMC is interested only in a “traditional” Methodist interpretation of God’s worldview for the church and humanity as a whole. And I fully agree with that, whatever that looks like.

As mentioned above, I was ordained by the people in 2001, to cast a Vision in the people who are without the four-walls of the establishment. On October 7, 2023 I was ordained an Elder by the Global Methodist Church – an ordination by the establishment, to work within AND without the four-walls. The connection is what I desire (as I have said many times), and the GMC has given me that right from the start. I am free to do the work outside of the four-walls. But I am also equipped to work within, in the hopes of casting a Vision to understand those without.

I still will not conform, but I do choose to adhere to the doctrinal standards of the Global Methodist Church, regardless of my own opinions on various subjects. That is all they ask of me. I am free.

You are free to make your own decisions on the matter. I will not “cancel” you because of them.