With another General Conference quickly approaching, and as a delegate, I have spent some time re-reading our constitution in the Book of Discipline (BOD). Interestingly, it is all about unity! We see this theme in almost every paragraph. It is clearly stated that “dividedness” is a hindrance to our witness. We are called to confess, in humility, our brokenness and seek opportunities for reunion, “in the confident assurance that this act is an expression of the oneness of Christ’s people.” We are then to “strive towards unity…at all levels of church life.” I wonder how we could have strayed so far?
As a matter of constitutional proclamation, we are also called to work towards inclusion, “without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition.” Scriptural Unity is not to be found by dividing into like-minded camps or by excluding others. It is not found in our agreement over things that do not “strike at the root of faith,” but in our coming together in environments where we can practice our calling to love with patience, kindness, humility, and without insisting on our own way. That glorifies God!
The BOD gives us powerful guiding principles for how we can strive for this unity of spirit. Later in the BOD, we are challenged to seek unity in the midst of both continuing “historic tensions” and as “new issues continually arise and summon us to fresh theological inquiry.” In this light, we affirm our rich diversity of perspectives and see this as a sign of health within the Body of Christ. We affirm that “our faith is enriched by indigenous experiences and manners of expression.” As a guiding principle, in this diversity, we believe that “we are held together by a shared inheritance and a common desire to participate in the creative and redemptive activity of God.” I wonder what conferencing would look like if we were more faithful to this charge?
By taking a small leap, we can also say that inclusion is at the heart of our tradition, defined as the living faith that honors those who have gone before us rather than the dead faith of the living. With this definition, I do not think we should use the word “traditional” to describe the policy (It is no longer a plan) that is before us. This policy is built on a mandate to exclude, punish, and strengthen stances that cause harm. Even the Judicial Council has likened this policy to an “inquisitional court.” This policy does not honor our living tradition. I would love to re-claim this important word for all of us rather than letting it be co-opted to describe one segment of the church and for the only purpose of judging some among us as incompatible. That seems so unconstitutional to me – not to mention unchristian.
The abuse of the Book of Discipline (BOD) in times of contention is similar to the abuse we see with scripture – proof-texting, selective literalism, and focusing on the letter of the law rather than the spirit. It is used too often to announce the speck in the eye of some while ignoring the ways that others do not follow our discipline and doctrine. That list is long for all of us. We hear cries against disobedience when we could acknowledge that principled resistance is a legitimate approach within our covenant and our democratic process of discernment. Where some practice this kind of resistance by pushing through a plan known to be unconstitutional, others resist rules and language believed to be exclusionary and incompatible with both the spirit of the BOD and the living tradition of the church, Our covenant can honor this tension as we continuously strive for unity around the values of faithfulness and love.
Rather than using the BOD against one another, we could see it as a resource to help us build a church that truly glorifies God. As we approach another General Conference, I would encourage us all to prayerfully read the constitution before we get too involved in all the legislation that will come our way. There is something to be said about putting first things first.
Connected In Christ 