Speech heard round the world
By James V. Heidinger II

It ended up being a speech heard around the world. I am not sure any of us were prepared for the kind of widespread reception and reaction that was stirred by the Rev. Bill Hinson's heartfelt, extemporaneous comments at a Good News briefing breakfast on Thursday, May 6 of General Conference.

"I believe the time has come when we must begin to explore an amicable and just separation," he said, "that will free both sides from our cycle of pain and conflict." That certainly caught the attention of the reporters in the room. While this was not the first time that someone floated the idea of separation, his words carried great weight.

It goes without saying that Bill is one of our most respected evangelical leaders. As the former pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Houston, the denomination's largest, his ministry has been marked with integrity, graciousness, and phenomenal growth.

I understood the context to his remarks, having sat with him earlier in the week around a table of leaders from the evangelical and liberal wings of United Methodism. We had been invited to gather after an evening session with persons from several groups who differ with us on the issue of homosexuality. Staff and board members of the Commission on Christian Unity joined us. Tom Porter of Just Peace served as facilitator.

From 10 p.m. until midnight on Monday, May 3, we shared with one another our stories, hopes, hurts, convictions, and frustrations about the protracted conflict over homosexuality in our church. We closed with prayer and agreed to meet the next day to see what we were sensing as a possible follow-up.

Our Tuesday meeting was smaller. The General Conference had just voted to retain our current stance on homosexuality and our progressive counterparts were very frustrated. We sensed among both sides virtually no interest in more dialogue. Our differences seemed insurmountable.

Several of us had brought a statement for possible discussion, as an alternative to further unproductive dialogue. It was a statement that acknowledged our deep, if not irreconcilable, differences. It suggested that instead of continued friction and rancor, perhaps a better way forward would be for the church to consider amicable separation. If such a proposal were to be presented to General Conference, we felt it would need to come from both sides. We left the proposal with those at the meeting without having discussed it. We suggested they share it with those not present and possibly get back with us if interested.

Someone made copies of it and gave it to the press. When Bill Hinson suggested at our Thursday briefing breakfast that it may be time to explore "an amicable and just separation," it was assumed that the document leaked to the press had been Bill's. It was not.

The General Conference was abuzz with discussion about the resolution and Bill's speech. It was met with both keen interest and disdain. Evangelical delegates had varying reactions, ranging from support to those who did not believe the timing was right to put forward a resolution at General Conference. Liberals rejected any talk of amicable separation. "We will remain here in the United< Methodist Church< today, tomorrow, and however long it takes to have a fully inclusive church," said Troy Plummer, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network.

"It is not only a foolish idea, it is really a very hurtful and destructive idea," said retired Bishop C. Dale White, one of the most liberal bishops. "Why should we destroy a great church on the basis of peripheral issues?" he asked. Ironically, he is one of the leaders that published the polemical and divisive book United Methodism @ Risk: A Wake Up Call, attacking evangelicals in the denomination.

Surprisingly, for a denomination that speaks so highly of dialogue, there have been far more pronouncements made regarding Bill's speech than actual discussion and dialogue about what he actually said.

The matter of amicable separation is now on the table for discussion by United Methodists. In the light of broken covenants, defiance of the Book of Discipline, and declarations of intent to continue ignoring General Conference guidelines, it may well be time to ask if there isn't a better way forward.

Although the resolution was never brought to the General Conference (though that was considered by the evangelical coalition), many across the church are beginning to conclude that the destructiveness of this conflict and the resulting continual loss of members are not in anyone's best interest. The time, energy, and resources spent on this issue year after year are deflecting the church's attention from the evangelism, mission, and ministries of compassion to which we are called.

James V. Heidinger II is the president and publisher of Good News.

Click here to send your response plus the title of this article to us at Good News.