November's "Re-Imagining" Conference in Minneapolis provides a painful glimpse into the theological malaise in America's mainline denominations. These churches used to be referred to as "mainstream" Protestant. This controversy, however, reminds me of the question asked by Riley Case in a Good News article a few years ago, "Has the Mainstream become a back-yard trickle?"
Of course, the "Re-Imagining" event did not represent "mainstream" Protestantism or mainstream United Methodism for that matter. In fact, thousands are incensed at reports about "Re-Imagining" and will not be placated by smooth public relations efforts that gloss over or ignore the serious issues involved. Let me clarify what some of those issues are:
First, what was wrong with the "Re-Imagining" event? The conference, attended by some 2,200 participants (391 of whom were United Methodists), included: 1. prayers to and worship focused on the goddess "Sophia;" 2. derision and denial of essential Christian doctrinal tenets (incarnation, atonement, original sin, etc.); and 3. the public celebration of lesbianism. Rather than affirming the great themes of the Christian faith, speakers attacked the Church and its doctrines as the source of oppression of women, racism, classism, ad infinitum.
Second, what was the nature of UM participation? The Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries took action at its spring meeting last March to cancel its own "staff and director theology workshop" and "approved" in its place involvement of staff and directors in the "Re-Imagining" event. The Women's Division has acknowledged its full financial support of 36 directors, 9 staff members, and II UMW conference vice presidents, plus a grant of $2,500 in response to a request from the Minnesota Conference UMW for scholarships. This involvement clearly represents "official support" on behalf of the Women's Division.
In addition, the "Re-Imagining" program book listed several other United Methodists related to the conference. Named were Bishops Forrest C. Stith (New York) and Sharon Brown Christopher (Minnesota). Also involved as program leaders were Kathi Austin Mahle, a UM clergywoman who was co-chair of the "Re-Imagining" steering committee, and Jeanne Audrey Powers, associate general secretary of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, who also served on the steering committee. Ms. Mahle and Ms. Powers would no doubt have been involved in the planning of the event. All this represents significant UM involvement in both planning and participation.
Third, didn't the Women's Division "Fact Sheet" and "video
letter" adequately explain its involvement in the conference? Quite
simply, no. Neither the "Fact Sheet" nor the video provided substantive
or satisfactory answers. Trying to calm the storm, the Women's Division
has asked innocently, "Do UM Women have the ability to evaluate information
they hear when presented with new, diverse views?" But what were these
"new, diverse views?" They were not subtle nuances or fresh insights
about biblical truth. They were radical departures from historic Christian
doctrine and teaching .
At “Re-Imagining," Sophia was center stage. The entire gathering
prayed to her, blessed every speaker in her name, and joined in the highly
offensive "Milk and Honey" service on the final day. One clergywoman
who attended told a conference edition of The United Methodist Reporter:
"This was the first time I had encountered Sophia worship or praying
in the name of Sophia or invoking the spirit of Sophia."
What distresses many of us is that after three months, the Women's Division has expressed no regret or reservations whatsoever about the offensive content of the conference. Some of their comments have even seemed intentionally evasive.
This controversy reflects the theological crisis already present within United Methodism. We don't all need to walk in theological lock-step. But we do need to walk within the guardrails of classical Christianity respectful of that which has always, everywhere, and by all Christians been believed about God.
By now, all UM bishops have transcripts of enough of the questionable content of "Re-Imagining" to know there were serious substantive problems with it. The Good News board took action at its January meeting to ask the Council of Bishops to address this theological crisis. The Council should assure anxious United Methodists, in no uncertain terms, that the substance of the "Re-Imagining" conference was, indeed, unacceptable in terms of our UM theological tradition. The church needs a clear response from its episcopal leaders.
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