Promised Land: Will We Step into it Faithfully?

By Rev. Dr. William D. Gibson
May 19, 2016 | Portland, Oregon

Being at the 2016 General Conference has been an emotionally exhausting experience. Because of the dividing debate on human sexuality in our church, I have found myself wrestling with a feeling of guilt. Last summer, I left the Southeastern Jurisdiction to take a new position in the west as a new church developer in the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area. Today, my family and I call the Seattle area home.

For years in the southeast, as a local church pastor, I was a vocal advocate and ally for the LGBTQI community in our United Methodist Church. In my last appointment, I led a reconciling church where almost half of our congregation identified as LGBTQI. I was actively involved with Reconciling Ministries and worked with other allies for full inclusion in our church. Without question, I have served and stood within the existing tension of this “issue” along side those who are marginalized inside and outside of our church.

Since engaging in my new role, my voice has been largely missing from the ongoing debate. And particularly, while being present at General Conference, I began to confront a sense of guilt because of this absence. There are so many LGBTQI brothers and sisters, each of which are like family to me, whom I have served along side in sharing the love of God.

However, over this last year I have been working to develop new opportunities — new church projects — that will reach unchurched, disconnected, and marginalized people in what is referred to as the “none” zone. It would be an understatement to say that this focus is extremely important in living out the mission to which Christ has called each of us, not to mention being an active expression of who we are as United Methodists.

Consequently, the perception of guilt pointed me to a question: Could this be the “promised land” for the UMC?

The “promised land” I am referring to represents life after the human sexuality argument for full inclusion in our church. In my new context, the work of the church has in many ways moved on…

The “promised land” I am referring to represents life after the human sexuality argument for full inclusion in our church. In my new context, the work of the church has in many ways moved on, turning its attention to creating discipleship systems, engaging the mission field, and leadership development. We are laboring to face the real challenges of our current state, which is the predicted death of our church (I hope to labor with you in changing that prediction).

Such has called us beyond our differences to discover new strategies for intersecting culture and elevating the Gospel message in powerful and transformational ways. We have a lot of work to do, but we are slowly making progress. No, we are NOT all on the same point of the theological spectrum. Yes, we are still advocating for full inclusion in our church, while living out what that looks like in our cultural contexts. But, we are living, loving, working, and talking together, regardless of differences.

For years Christians used the Bible to justify slavery. For years we used the Bible to claim that women have no voice or role in church. For years we used the Bible to stand against interracial marriage. For years we have taken Bible verses out of context to prove our positions. And, throughout time we have looked back on those moments in history and wondered what in the world were we thinking.

This General Conference has been painful to watch, discuss, and experience. The added bullhorn of social media cranks up the volume to a degree that has forced breaking points for many. Real voices and faces have been discovered behind dividing postures and they show a deep tear in what we hope will remain a “united” church. Tension has been high and it continues to distract us from what Christ has called us to do.

In Scripture, the Promised Land represented for God’s people the unknowable reaches of grace — a vast space of unexplainable provision. God said, “Look as far as you can see in every direction — north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession” (Genesis 13:14-15, NLT). We struggle to understand such a “permanent possession” of God’s promise. Yet, in this space, the people of God continued to attempt to find their way, live their lives, and reflect the very love God graciously poured out.

Today, our consequential decisions sometimes limit an all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing, all-loving God to the boundaries of our human understanding; we dismiss what is possible at the hand of God. Jesus was often questioned by those inquiring about what he was teaching and doing, to which he responded, “Come and see.” His words subverted hundreds of years of teaching, while calling people beyond their personal positions, by way of faith.

Believe it or not, there is life and work after the “issue” The United Methodist Church faces regarding human sexuality. I know because I am participating in it, along side of people who are different from me, yet made the same by the grace of God. Full inclusion of humanity reflects the unknowable beauty of God’s promise. Our focus in the west is on intersecting with the lives of people and culture that is outside of the “Christian” bubbles we tend to create. We are more in need of God’s promise with every step taken. Isn’t that what it looks like to walk by faith?

Church, it’s time to step out faithfully into the great unknown of God — the “promised land” of grace and provision that exceeds our limits. It’s time to believe in the power of the Holy Spirit instead of the power we think we hold to manipulate each moment.

Church, it’s time to step out faithfully into the great unknown of God — the “promised land” of grace and provision that exceeds our limits. It’s time to believe in the power of the Holy Spirit instead of the power we think we hold to manipulate each moment. It’s time to follow Jesus into a life that reflects the gospel, turning away from the fear that temps fate.

People are watching. There are those who are looking for hope and life and a way forward. There are people in despair, consumed by war. There are people who are dying of starvation and disease. There are so many people outside of our circles… And, yet, we keep trying to draw these circles smaller and smaller, carving off our opposing brothers and sisters like they no longer matter.

Personally, I am hopeful. I believe there is still a promised land for The United Methodist Church, and it waits, beyond our own barriers. But, one question remains: Will we step into it faithfully?

Rev. Dr. William (Bill) D. Gibson serves as the Director of Strategic Faith Community Development for the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference.

Image Credit: “Mt Jefferson from Boca Cave, Oregon” by Flickr user Thomas Shahan, CC BY 2.0.