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A Christian conversation is planned between the Renew Network and the Women's Division. This conversation was requested by Renew in early March 2005, and accepted by the Women's Division at the end of March. Details for this significant meeting are being finalized. We solicit your prayers for this exchange.
Let me pose and answer two questions that are likely to be asked by our network members about this conversation.
Why was this conversation proposed?
Renew, a 15-year-old network, consists primarily of United Methodist Women concerned about program resource materials produced by the Women's Division, about the organizations the Women's Division networks with, and about grants approved by the Directors of the Women's Division to questionable groups. These women have found the theological, political, and social worldview promoted by the Women's Division in conflict with their own, and they see Renew as a place to "connect" with other evangelical women to strengthen their influence for change.
In December 2001, Renew and Good News issued "A Call for Reform of the Women's Division" following egregious actions on the part of the Women's Division showing an insensitivity to the expressed concerns of the women of the church. (For details see "Our Basis for Concern" at www.renewnetwork.org.) This campaign garnered strong support in its advocacy for a courteous but clear call for change in the programs, policies, and spending of the Women's Division. As part of the campaign, legislation was introduced by network members to General Conference in 2004. While this legislation did not pass, it raised valid questions about Women's Division accountability and about supplemental women's ministries. (Supplemental groups already exist and many network with Renew.)
Following General Conference 2004, Good News and Renew determined it was important to intentionally explore the issues of unity and separation raised at General Conference. A comprehensive plan was developed which included exploring our theological foundation for unity/separation and seeking conversation with various groups including the Council of Bishops, the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, and the Women's Division. Renew began discussions about potential conversation within its Steering Committee.
At the fall 2004 Women's Division Board of Directors meeting, Dr. Janice Love, newly-elected Deputy General Secretary of the Women's Division, gave her inaugural address which acknowledged the diversity within the United Methodist Church resulting in widely divergent faith perspectives. Ms. Love voiced the need to "listen carefully to those in our church who are troubled by what we do." These comments made us think the right time had come for a much-needed Christian conversation. Following board approval at the January 2005 Board of Directors meeting, Renew issued its invitation in March.
What is the purpose of this Christian conversation?
The desired outcome, as stated in Renew's recommended guidelines, is: "Clarification of positions held by both parties in four areas of discussion in an open forum with the hope this could be a starting point for reconciliation, reform, and revitalization of the women's ministry of the United Methodist Church."
We believe clarification of positions held by both parties in an open forum is important to enable individuals to refine their own positions on important issues of faith and practice and to determine their comfort or discomfort with positions taken by either group.
Reconciliation entails hearing each other with respect, whether or not our differences are fully reconcilable. Reform is essential if the women of the church are to have confidence in the body designated by The Book of Discipline to oversee the program of United Methodist Women. Revitalization implies openness to supplemental women's ministries without requiring financial or programmatic support of suspect projects.
The bottom line for Renew Network members is faithfulness to Jesus Christ, acceptance of the authority of Scripture, a mission focus that includes the proclamation of the gospel at its heart, and a ministry for women that revitalizes their faith and disciples them into evangelism and mission outreach. This Christian conversation will interpret these goals from our varying perspectives. Hopefully, these laudable goals will be those of the Women's Division as well.
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