The United Methodist Church split is personal for me

Editor’s note: This writer’s op-ed was prompted by “Un-United Methodists: Church splinters between its conservative and gay-affirming sides,” a series of articles published Sept. 2 in The Charlotte Observer, The News & Observer and The (Durham) Herald-Sun.

I write regarding the ongoing doctrinal dispute within the United Methodist Church. This decision to split has personal significance for me because I grew up in the Campbell’s Creek United Methodist Church in eastern North Carolina, which is among those rural N.C. churches that voted to disaffiliate from the mainstream church.

My siblings and I were baptized in the Campbell’s Creek church, and over the years we took part in the myriad church activities for children, youth and families. My ancestors were were founding members when the church was first formed in the late 19th Century, and later my family members were instrumental in the church reconstruction in the mid-1950s.

Since the beginning, the church has been the focal point of this small rural community. Church members took part in many community secular activities as well, such as “dinner on the grounds” at the church and hayrides on Halloween. My mother even formed a popular youth group called the “Around the World Club” so that kids could learn about international cultures.

As a child, the church gave me a feeling of belonging and a sense of security, and I believed God’s love was boundless.

All this turmoil of late has impelled me to reevaluate my perspective. Over the years, I formed an idealized, sentimental view of my community church, never really looking past the stained glass to unmask the more odious realities of the church. such as the patronizing relationship with the African-American community. A long-time family friend did not attend my father’s funeral because he felt unwelcome. Now comes the rejection of gay people and the membership’s resistance to gay unions and gays in the clergy.

One wonders what, or who, is next?

John Wesley, who was instrumental in the founding of Methodism, believed that the love of God was universal. What does the church’s decision say about our Christian identity and who we want to be, both as individuals and as children of God? Doesn’t our inexorable connection within the community of God bid us to encourage love and respect in the pluralistic communities in which we live?

One wonders how the “Global Methodist Church” movement gained currency. Whatever the case, this is a consequential decision that leaves me embarrassed and deeply saddened for the community I love.

Now I find myself set on a path to reconcile the church’s decision. Going forward, it is my hope that we may seek a level of personal humility that enables a greater understanding of others, an atmosphere that both resists rancor and promotes forgiveness, and, finally, encourages communities of faith built on love and respect for everyone.

Mary Paul lives in Raleigh.