An open forum
By Faye Short

As you read this column, a taskforce within the Renew Network is making final preparation for an open forum with representatives of the Women's Division on Wednesday, September 21, 2005, at Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Previously, I shared the purpose of this conversation. In this issue, I would like to share the focus of our questions for the Women's Division. In the November/December magazine, I will share our response to Women's Division questions asked of us at the forum.

Jesus Christ. Our most essential question will be Jesus' most essential question-"Who do you say that I am?" The Book of Discipline states, "The United Methodist Church affirms that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the Lord of all" (Par. 121). Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

In light of these statements, we will inquire as to how the mission work of the Women's Division incorporates the supremacy of Jesus Christ-leading to conversion and discipleship.

The Holy Scripture. The Book of Discipline states: "Our standards affirm the Bible as the source of all that is 'necessary' and 'sufficient' unto salvation (Articles of Religion); and 'is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice' (Confession of Faith)."

"I have come to realize that the great divide in values is not between those who believe in God and those who do not, but between those who believe in a divine text and those who do not," wrote nationally syndicated radio host Dennis Prager in a recent column.

With these statements in mind, we will ask if the Women's Division recognizes the Holy Scriptures as revealed by God, and as a closed canon-or whether they believe in ongoing revelation that may be in discontinuity with Scripture and more in harmony with current cultural changes.

Conservative/liberal worldview. Over the years, the Women's Division has overtly defined and denounced "religious fundamentalism" and "cultural and religious conservatism" as major deterrents to women's work and ministry.

Reflecting on this, our question would be what and whom does the Women's Division put into this category? And, we will ask for an explanation as to how Christian fundamentalism and conservatism are perceived to be the major deterrents to women's work and ministry.

Political/social action. Documentation of the political and social witness of the Women's Division over many years has revealed a narrow, partisan, left-leaning perspective that fails to represent many United Methodist Women.

We anticipate asking how the Women's Division can justify this narrow, partisan bias, and why the women of the church should be expected to accept, support, and fund programs and policies with which their consciences strongly disagree.

Accountability/autonomy. The Book of Discipline states in Par. 1317, "The Women's Division shall be actively engaged in fulfilling the mission of Christ and the Church and shall interpret the purpose of United Methodist Women." Under Par. 1318, the Women's Division is given certain responsibilities on behalf of United Methodist Women, including the responsibility to "recommend programs and policies to United Methodist Women and to secure funds through the channels of United Methodist Women."

In light of this authority given to the Women's Division under the Discipline, questions can be raised as to whether or not the local United Methodist Women's unit is accountable to the local church and, if not, how every local church can be justly required to establish a local unit of United Methodist Women.

Also, given the Women's Division's responsibilities in The Book of Discipline to "engage in activities that foster growth in the Christian faith," and "to provide resources and opportunities for women that enrich their spiritual life and increase their knowledge and understanding of the needs of the world and their responsibility in meeting those needs," would it not enhance this process to allow for supplemental women's ministries beyond the specified unit of United Methodist Women at the local, district, or conference level?

Wesley Seminary. Holding this open forum at Wesley Seminary brings to mind the words of Wesley from his sermon Catholic Spirit.  "A man of a truly catholic spirit has not now his religion to seek. He is fixed as the sun in his judgment concerning the main branches of Christian doctrine."

What an appropriate word for this exchange.