The disagreement is so severe and has caused so much harm for so long (since 1972) that parties on both sides of the debate have agreed the denomination cannot continue as is. It must separate so that those who hold each position can organize themselves apart from each other and engage more fully in mission without the distraction of battling for the other side to come around to its view of sexuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The logic of the protocol for separation is fundamentally missional. Items C and D in the protocol’s Statement of Principles explain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Whereas, The United Methodist Church and its members are at an impasse, the Church\u2019s witness and mission is being impeded, and the Church itself as well as its members have been injured; <\/li>
- Whereas, The United Methodist Church and its members have a deep desire to fulfill our long-stated mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The question I have not heard addressed is whether this solution will be missionally successful. Recent studies suggest some significant hurdles the two separate denominations will face at least in the United States right from the start. If they want to be effective missionally, they need to begin developing plans to address these now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Progressive Irreligion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The main problem that progressive Methodists will face is that their primary mission field will be other people who hold to progressive beliefs in the United States. Yet, this group is the least interested in, and even most actively resistant to, religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a great deal of data to support this claim, some of which I have covered in previous blogs. A more recent bit of data from Pew continues to confirm it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Most](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pewforum.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/11\/PF_11.15.19_trust.in_.religion-00-03.png?resize=840%2C878&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\n\n\nIt is the blue line on the bottom graph that is most interesting here. When Democrats (who Pew have shown to be liberal or liberal leaning in many previous studies) were asked about how much control those who are not religious have over the Democratic Party, only 15% said “too much.” This compares to 25% who said “too little” and 58% who said “about the right amount.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A second graph is even starker. It shows that Democrats are against religion in public life, and that 25% even think that the decline of religion in the United States is a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Republicans](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pewforum.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/11\/PF_11.15.19_trust.in_.religion-00-04.png?resize=838%2C1006&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\n\n\nThe point here is that people in the broader culture who tend progressive\/liberal\/Democratic trend toward desiring less religion, especially in politics. This runs counter to the highly politicized “prophetic” religion often championed by progressive United Methodists. If the post-GC 2020 progressive Methodists hope to be missionally effective, they will need to contend with the very difficult mission field they are dedicating themselves to address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditional Echo Chambers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While the above graphs show that Republicans are more supportive of religion in public life and more open to Christians in Republican leadership, this does not mean that post-GC 2020 traditional Methodists will have an easy way ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Most](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pewforum.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/11\/PF_11.15.19_trust.in_.religion-00-06.png?resize=661%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\n\n\nIt is the red line in the top graph that we are most focused on here. It shows that most Republicans worship in a church where they are certain that their clergy are also Republican. This may not seem too problematic, but it does suggest a tendency toward homogeneity of belief among more conservative Christians. This is reinforced by the red line on the bottom graph, which shows much higher agreement among Republican congregants and their clergy when discussing political issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Study after study has pointed to the increasing level of social and political progressivism among especially the younger generations in the United States. This certainly holds true related to long-standing social issues like abortion and marriage equality. They also are demanding action on items such as climate change and a reduction of gun violence, items that have not been a strong suit for Republicans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the post-GC 2020 traditional church is to succeed, it will need to find a way to move beyond its internal comfort and agreement. It will need to grapple with the issues that are being presented as the primary concerns of the new generations in the United States, and it will need to be ready to meet people with real answers as to how the traditional Christian faith can meet the serious existential and political questions of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Both – Apathy toward the Church<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Many](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pewforum.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/11\/PF_11.15.19_trust.in_.religion-00-09.png?resize=1000%2C508&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\n\n\n