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By JJ Mannschreck –
Speaking as a young clergy with a (God willing) long career in front of me, I think it’s important for me to explain why some of us are considering going with the Global Methodist Church (GMC).
1. The Definition of Progressive. There’s a lot of noise being made in the current church conversation about big tents and long tables. Progressive voices and institutionalists are talking about how welcoming they will be for traditionalist voices. “You don’t have to leave” they say, “we will make room for and respect all theologies.” And to be honest, I want to believe them. But if the issue of LGBTQ inclusion is a justice issue – which I’ve heard many, many times – then, at best, what we are going to see is a temporary tolerance.
The definition of progressive is that they understand their ideology as progress. Assimilation is built into their identity. One can assume that they can and will be very kind for a season – but eventually the call of justice will not be content to permit “oppressive theologies” in the room. There will probably be a few years in the Post Separation UM Church (PSUMC) where it will be safe and even comfortable for traditionalist clergy to do ministry. But it will probably get progressively worse for them as the years go by. For those nearing retirement, it might even be the easier choice to stay. But I am not near retirement. I am a young traditionalist clergy. I have no desire to be part of a tradition that will resent me just a little bit more every year for my entire career.
2. United By Mission Alone. It is time for all Methodist traditions (both PSUMC and GMC) to eliminate the Trust Clause. The Trust Clause coerces unity that isn’t really there. The Global Methodist Church has made it clear that autonomy in the local church will be the name of the game, whereas the PSUMC has no intention of getting rid of its hold over congregations. Without a legally binding, practical, and financial threat to keep unity in the ranks, the Global Methodist Church will rely on missional alignment. Rather than being yoked together by rule of law, we will be able to walk next to one another – and work together freely.
3. The Call System (and Guaranteed Appointments). Along with the trust clause, the itinerant system should be eliminated. The current method of appointment for pastors does have its conveniences – but the disadvantages significantly outweigh the advantages. It is a system that can very easily, even if accidentally, breed deep abuse and scandal. Beyond potential abuses, it enables toxic churches and ineffective clergy to point fingers at one another for decades without accountability. I’ve seen this in my own conference in countless examples. The Global Methodist Church is shifting only slightly, to a partial call system. This will be challenging at first. Churches will have a steep learning curve on interviewing pastors. Toxic churches will shrivel and ineffective pastors will struggle to find good churches, but all of those things will ultimately lead to a healthier denomination down the line.
4. Becoming a Minority. I am a very privileged, young heterosexual white man. While I may not come from a fabulously wealthy family and I never had a pony growing up, the reality is that I grew up in extremely comfortable conditions. I believe there is a racial and cultural realignment coming for the church – and I am here for it. I am eager to be a part of a church that is multiracial and where leadership is more equitably shared between Africans, Filipinos, and Caucasians from the United States, Europe, and Russia.
Our African brothers and sisters have lived with a system of inequity for decades. It saddens me to see progressive voices making a lot of noise about regionalization at the exact historical moment when multiracial voices are finding prominence in the power dynamics. Rhetorically, institutionalists talk a lot about diversity – they want Africans in the room – it just seems that they don’t want to have to listen to them. Regionalization is not justice. Make no mistake, it is an injustice issue, and nothing else. The Global Methodist Church, particularly the white conservatives in America, will have a lot to learn in a short amount of time. There is racism buried beneath the surface of some of our congregations, and we will have to deal with that if we are to flourish.
5. Governance Structure – the local Church. The core of my desire for movement to the Global Methodist Church lies in the nitty gritty of church organization. I don’t believe institutionalists or even progressives are bad people. I will miss many of my colleagues, and I wish them blessings in the future from the bottom of my heart. But when I look at the two structures, one system is simply better. For a long time the UM Church has paid lip service to the fact that the front lines of ministry are in the local church. And yet, in my experience and in what I have seen around the country, this is not a practical reality.
In my conference, pastors are actively running away from local church ministry, often seeking out the coveted conference level staffing positions. Despite the financial difficulties and combining of structures, the conference level staff continues to grow. In recent months, they have done a good job of re-orienting back toward the local church, particularly since COVID – but it is still an extremely top heavy structure. There’s a whole lot of apportionment money going to support these massive staffs and the resources they provide (which a majority of churches do not make use of). This is only more pronounced when we consider the massive dollar amounts attached to the work at the General Church level as well.
The Global Methodist Church is offering a far more streamlined organization. In dollars and cents, it will probably cost my church half what it currently does to be a part of that structure. On a practical level, we will send less money up to the denomination, and more money will be left for the local church to do ministry in our community. In rough estimation we expect to move from 14 percent of our budget going up to support the conference down to 7 percent. District Superintendents (or whatever they will be called) will not be seen as a promotional escape from local church ministry, but rather an extra responsibility – possibly on top of local church ministry – taken up as an honor. I have seen some say that the GMC’s Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline (which is significantly shorter than the current UMC BOD) is too short. Critics claim that clearly they didn’t think hard enough if they wrote such a streamlined structure. But I look at the bloated structures of the current UM Church and I believe that a simpler way is possible (and preferable).
What is not on my list of five points? The conversation about LGBTQ inclusion does not even arise (except perhaps tangentially in the first reason). I do not want to move to the Global Methodist Church because of a disagreement over homosexuality. Despite what progressives have been screaming for years, I don’t “hate” gay people. To be honest, I can easily make this decision without even considering that part of the discussion. I would make my way to the GMC on their call system alone, or their governing structures, or their removal of the trust clause. All of these are practical, straightforward reasons that the Global Methodist Church will be a stronger church in the long run.
I know that LGBTQ+ inclusion is the flashy headline. Mainstream media, if they notice this split at all, will talk about how the church is dividing over homosexuality. They have never had much interest in nuance, or really any differences that don’t grab people’s attention. I don’t expect a fair hearing in the public square. Inclusion may have been the lightning bolt that struck the church and lit the roof on fire – but after the flames died down, they revealed a rotting structure set on a leaky foundation. It’s time to build a new house.
For what it is worth, I will be entering through the doorway into the Global Methodist Church, just as soon as they unlock the door.
JJ Mannschreck is the pastor of Flushing United Methodist Church in Michigan.
Another alternative to facing a long career with buyer’s remorse and continuing misery over ‘what might have been’ and/or ‘what I wanted and didn’t get’ might be to take a step out in faith and turn to one of the other myriad of available denominations that offer; no trust clause, local control by the congregation, no guaranteed appointment, no itineracy, far less denominational financial, and therefore, mission outreach and often a very narrow approach to Others and how we show God’s love?
Thank you, JJ Mannschreck, for boldly setting forth reasons for your decision. The old system and its fatigued clientele will clutch at you until the relationship is formally severed. It’s entirely predictable, the cloying nature of the system that is slowly snuffing out the church’s light and life.
Congratulations. You’ve checked all the WCA/GMC boxes, so you’ll never have to worry about not having an appointment.
Sarcasm is the steam released when anger is partially corked. This comment says nothing about JJ (whom I do not know) but worlds about the commenter…and is another exhibit (of which, sadly, there are plenty from all ‘sides’) of the challenge behind a gracious institutional parting.
Bob, I’m the commenter. As an octogenarian PK, I recall the many moves Dad accepted without complaint. He believed in the genius of the itinerancy. Never once did our family have to worry about no appointment. Yes, some sarcasm which I should have refrained from. The comment was more about the WCA/GMC “no guaranteed appointment” stance. JJ (whom I don’t know, either) had to bear the brunt of the steam I released. Thank you for your “from all sides” aside. We should all do better. I’ll be the first.
amen…from a fellow sinner!
So, hypothetically, you might stay UMC if we had those 5 but still insisted on allowing for differences in regards to the the tangential one?
I am an African Pastor for 32 years now. I love the itenerary system. It freshens my ministry. It makes me vulnerable but teaches me to Trust in The Lord
While I appreciate the author’s vision and his passion for what is to come, some of the areas he trivializes and dismisses are incredibly important to people with 20 years in the ministry who are trying to make this decision. I’ve always been passionate about ministry but my church’s haven’t always been passionate about me. Itinerate yet guaranteed puts a needed check on the local church and allows pastors to be prophets when they need to be in some congregations. Congregational votes are often messy. Healthcare provided beyond retirement for some is a necessity because of the pastoral ministry they have survived. If the WCA and the GMC want me, I need the assurances for my security of myself, my family who are relying on me, and the congregations I serve. So far, I have not been convinced.
Another point: we all stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. I am 60th+ pastor in a church over 160 years old with almost 30 folks who have been there 50+ years as members. In my decisions, I always balance and honor the saints who’ve come before that have given me a place to stand while tying to provide a voice for new directions. The road I travel to and from the parsonage was not first travelled by me. The arrogance to say that I know the truth for my congregation (or denomination) alone is enticing and sexy, but sinful for me. I have to hear all the voices including the ones I’m supporting as they support me. Just saying I guess.
I really like that this article was written by a young clergyperson, giving their perspective on how they made their decision. While I’m definitely in itinerant ministry I see the advantages JJ mentions to a semi-called system. I served a very dysfunctional church that had a long history of burning up good clergy. They knew they could get away with it because they were guaranteed another victim in the pulpit as long as they paid enough of their apportionments. They had decades of one and two year pastors. With our struggle to recruit new people into ministry, and the steady loss of clergy as pastors leave for other professions, our clergy need to be able to refuse an appointment to such congregations. Good points JJ.
This is great article from a pastor’s perspective. Pastors don’t want to watch the pensions they were promised simply disappear into thin air. It is sad we have allowed the UMC to get to this situation. One would think the party NOT demanding to drastically change the Book of Discipline, would be the party in control. We have allowed political maneuvering to hijack the UMC. What safeguards are in place to keep thas from happening with the GMC? Also, will the UMC retain ownership of the current UMC camp properties? Or are they willing to offer a portion of those properties to the GMC?
1 John teaches us to be of the Word and not of the World, to me the Greater UMC is becoming of the World, conforming to the wants of a few people who think it is to please the world and not to please God.
I, as a member of the congregation can not conform. I am not opposed to to someone of the LGBT community coming to my church and becoming a member, we are all sinners, but, teaching my child or grandchild, is out of the question! Just as if an alcoholic minister, who drank openly every day should not teach, because that may lead his congregation astray. James 3:1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Rev 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
I am praying for the souls who choose to go with the UMC and pray that they study the Bible and make their own decisions and are not persuaded without the Bible. It is a shame that the largest church in the US has helped the destruction of a great church with all their money, I see nothing but greed when I visit that city and see the great spaceship looking building!
JJ, in my humble opinion, great article. Good for you. May you be blessed. Bob and Paul, you two are amazing disciples of Christ. Loved the exchange. I did not read all of the other comments so I have no comment on them. I tend to not comment as it opens up the door to the enemy to allow someone to attack in a moment of weakness. If that’s you, I already forgive you. Now my commentary
As a licensed local pastor in various small UMC churches since 1999, I am particularly interested in the GMC’s ordination process. I am not ordained because I never had the time to go for an Mdiv. I raised a family and served my congregations. I grew in my relationship with God and I “suffered” (my commentary) as a local pastor with all of the bumps and shots that come with it. I often felt as if I was not “equal” because I was not ordained. Sure there was plenty of rhetoric each year as I went to my dCOM interview about how local pastors are the heart of the UMC, but I rarely believed it. But I accepted it because I knew from a young age that God called me to be a pastor. Will I be ordained in the GMC? There is a very distinct possibility. But that remains to be seen.
What angers me and the main reason I am even considering going to the GMC is that I believe the word of God cannot be changed. I don’t believe hiding under the term “social justice” is justifiable either. For a small group of men and women to jam down the throat (again my commentary and opinion) of any church, an agenda that is clearly in contradiction to the word of God is truly sad and should not be considered.
This I do know. I will be leaving any denomination that goes against and willfully accepts going against the word of God. For many years God has placed a desire in me to plant a church. I struggled with it and I considered many options. I even tried to get ahead of Him once. Is this the time? I am discerning. Will it be GMC? Maybe. I can tell you for certain, it won’t be with any denomination that goes against God’s Word. Blessings to all
i always though gay was wrong in the eyes of God.
I learned a lot from your article. Thank you for being so transparent. I have been Methodist for years and worked for my local church for years as well. Our church was labeled “toxic” because pastors didn’t want to stay long. Truth is that we are a small church which can only support “newer” pastors or pastors who were considered to be on their last warning so to speak. We were highly let down by the district and after so many green or nonchalant pastors we did become jaded and were basically forced to run the church by ourselves. The district superintendent even said he wanted to close our church but he couldnt because we always paid our apportionment and we didnt owe anything for anything. If they closed it they could take controlof the building and land and parsonage. All of which were donated to the church itsself and would remain with the church if there was a separation. We were even given a “pastor” who had not even started seminary when he grabbed the reigns and almost bankrupted the church in the first few months! But many of our lifetime members got together and bailed the church out. We finally got a pastor who cares more about the church than getting ahead in the district. The congregation trusts him and things are better than they have been in 25 years. In 6 months many lost members have come back and there have been more new members than in the past 10 years combined! There is just as many bad apples in the pastor ranks as anywhere else. Some care, some think they are a prophet, and some just want the nice pension plan.
I guess I’m just trying to shed a light on what one commenter called “toxic” churches. They weren’t born toxic, they are made that way by the way the umc is organized and the abuse of that system..
My wife left our church, they are no longer Methodist. Methodist stand for open doors and open minds, but Global don’t. Any churches that they need to get into politics need to be taxed!
JJ, we will miss you in the Michigan Conference. I regret your decision, but in all honesty, and with 40+ years of service in this conference, some of your statements are simply not true and your harsh criticism is painful. All I can say is, if I believed what you seem to believe, I would probably leave too. I hope you find the future you are seeking and that God will bless your ministry.