I have been a United Methodist pastor for over 16 years and have served in leadership roles in the UMC for over 23 years. God called me to ministry through the UMC and called me to minister as an ordained elder in the UMC. The UMC invested in me and continues to do so. The Mississippi Conference of the UMC paid for a big chunk of my seminary education through the Ministerial Education Fund. MSUMC congregations gave me scholarships. They prayed for me and encouraged me. They helped me discern my God-given call to ministry. They affirmed my call. They gave me a place to serve.
My heart breaks as I watch church after church leave the connection and throw the baby out with the bathwater. I grieve as I watch colleagues be slandered (self-included) and clergy families be displaced.
If a congregation is in unity and prayerfully discerns that what is best for the Kingdom of God is for them to no longer be affiliated with the UMC, then even though I don’t understand it, I can respect the decision. However, if a congregation is divided, then please hit the pause button. Because of disaffiliation, I have watched families be ripped apart and decades-long friendships be destroyed. It’s not worth it. The grass is not going to be greener elsewhere, especially if you are not in unity in your decision. The Holy Spirit does not guide us through political propaganda and fear mongering. Spiritual discernment comes through prayer, listening to each other, acknowledging that we do not have all the answers.
Is the UMC a perfect denomination? Absolutely not- because perfect denominations do not exist. I understand why some UMC congregations and pastors outside of Mississippi have chosen to depart from the denomination. However, there are absolutely no actions nor inactions of the Mississippi Annual Conference that have contradicted the Book of Discipline.
Though it is far from perfect, (believe me, I’ve had my share of laments and complaints over the years), the Mississippi Conference of the UMC is “my tribe.” They are my people. I will not attempt to name all of the parishioners, mentors, and colleagues in the MSAC of the UMC (and beyond MS as well) who mean the world to me and who have walked alongside me. They have taught me, encouraged me, and challenged me. The beautiful thing is that we do not all agree with each other, yet we trust each other enough to still love each other and to “keep the connection.” We know that we are better together.
I grieve that some who have departed the UMC in Mississippi seem to be declaring victory. There is no victory in a church split. There is no “win” in an ugly divorce, and the UMC/GMC division is similar. Much has been said and done that has harmed Christ’s body and the church’s witness. Much deceit and manipulation has yet to be acknowledged.
But hear the good news! Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love for us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Can God work through all this mess? Absolutely. Will God work through the GMC? Absolutely. Will God continue to work through the UMC? Contrary to popular belief- absolutely. Here is the actual victory: God is an expert at bringing life out of death, hope out of despair, resurrection out of the tomb, vibrant communities out of remnants. May it be so with us. Glory to God. Amen.
Rev. Amy Roller is an Elder in Full Connection in the Mississippi Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. She is currently appointed as pastor of Dixie UMC near Hattiesburg, and is the founding pastor of Longleaf UMC in Oak Grove, which resulted from the disaffiliation of Oak Grove Methodist Church.
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