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Nov/Dec 2005
Features

Hollywood discovers Narnia

Philip Tallon & Jerry Walls examine the draw of C.S. Lewis.

Walking through the wardrobe

Sarah Arthur looks inside The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Debating the old professor: C.S. Lewis and the advent of Aslan

Elizabeth V. Glass recounts the re-enactment of a timeless debate.

Hurricane survivors count blessings

Kathy L. Gilbert reports from Slidell, Louisiana.

After Katrina

Jackie Larson tells how one small Texas church is making a difference.

Liberian children offer gift of hope to Louisiana

Kathy L. Gilbert reveals an incredibly sacrificial gift.

Practicing hospitality

Tammy Darling and Christine Pohl remind us of an ancient discipline.

COLUMNS
Editorial
UMW/RENEW Conversation: A good start

RENEW Women’s Network
To question is not to attack

The Great Commission
Mission work is complete when...

From the Heart
Nothing...except
DEPARTMENTS

Letters to the editor
Straight Talk
News Analysis
News
Church women’s forum brings differences to surface
Confessing Movement issues statement on unity
Church must change world through witness, bishop says

Culture in View
One man’s fall
When rockers knock on heaven’s door

To question is not to attack
By Faye Short

The Open Forum for discussion between the Renew Network and the Women’s Division held at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. on September 21, 2005, is now history. The feedback received indicates the Renew panel members honored the Lord and represented the evangelical women of the church in an exemplary manner. We found this exchange to be valuable and anticipate ongoing benefit from it. Renew has prepared a packet, “Unpacking the Forum,” which is offered with a DVD/video of the forum. We encourage network members, and United Methodist Women at large, to host “Forum Follow-up” meetings to view the video and to use the discussion guide in the packet to further conversation about this exchange.

While Women’s Division panel members indicated they sometimes had difficulty seeing themselves in Renew reports— Renew found difficulty identifying ourselves, or our evangelical friends, in comments shared about us at the forum. For instance:

• In her opening remarks, Dr. Jan Love indicated that the Women’s Division was most unhappy with the format for the forum that “Good News recommended and Renew insisted upon.” However, at no time did the Women’s Division show strong aversion to the proposal Renew women recommended, nor did they offer an alternative plan.
  
• It was disappointing to hear accusations in the opening remarks that Renew, Good News, and the IRD (a separate renewal movement) distort and exaggerate the work of the Women’s Division. Yet, no specific examples of such distortion were provided, nor have they ever been.
  
• A great surprise came when one speaker placed the Southern Baptist denomination in the category of “fundamentalist” in the negative sense of the word. The growth of the Southern Baptist Church and its scope of ministry around the world testify to a vibrant, Christ-centered denomination. Putting this label upon a sister denomination was a serious mistake.
  
• Another panelist charged that the legislation Renew Network members brought to General Conference was intended to “dismantle UMW,” to “degrade the status of UMW,” or to “undermine UMW.” Women offering this legislation were grassroots United Methodist Women. Our forum panel had three fourth-generation and one fifth-generation United Methodists. A careful reading of the legislation reveals no such intent.
  
• A most amazing erroneous statement was that Renew charges a membership fee, thus excluding those who are unable to pay. Anyone may join this network simply by contacting us and asking that your name and address, or e-mail address, be added to the network list. Such persons then receive an introductory packet, a monthly letter, and a quarterly newsletter—at no charge. Individuals do donate to this network to enable the ministry to exist. Affiliate programs are available on a donation basis. These are all voluntary donations, not membership fees.

Sadly, Women’s Division President Kyung Za Yim equated asking questions, disagreeing with actions, or differing in theological perspective with “attacking.” But to question or to disagree is not to attack.

Ms. Yim said the women she encounters are “hurt,” they are disturbed by the “harsh criticism of their mission and the denial of their Christian commitment.” She fails to understand that the ongoing work of local United Methodist Women has not been called into question. No individual’s personal faith experience has been maligned. However, the programs, policies, and publications of the Women’s Division are of deep concern to many women within the organization. Renew hears the “hurt” and frustrations of these women on a regular basis.

Ms. Yim asked, “Can we tell them the attacks are over?” Renew Network members would welcome the opportunity to speak to women with this misunderstanding and say, “There is no attack, just sincere concern about our 136-year legacy and how that is being represented in our name. Will that concern continue, and will it be expressed in as clear and loving ways as we know how? It will until there is substantive change and reform of the Women’s Division.”

You can access the video at the Women’s Division web site: http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/. For information about the “Unpacking the Forum” packet, contact the Renew Network at: P.O. Box 889, Cornelia, Georgia, 30531; 706-778-4812; renew1@hemc.net.

Click here to send your response plus the title of this article to us at Good News.