This week, I officially stopped my ordination process in The United Methodist Church. I’ve been in that process since 2005—the same year YouTube was founded (I learned coincidentally this morning when talking to my kids). And I’ve been attending the UMC since 1997. Needless to say, this is the closing of a significant chapter in my life.
There are a few reasons for this change. But the most significant is that I have been told that trying to teach part-time along with serving in the church full-time is incompatible, that my time and energy will be too divided, that this might suggest my lack of commitment to the local church.
I don’t wish here to suggest that these are not real potential concerns. I do disagree with them, though. I think that teaching makes me a better pastor, and vice versa.
The situation does sadden me. It’s not that I think I’m some special snowflake, that I’m so important. I know I’m not. But the denomination has long insisted on its need to find ways to reach younger people. So I represent something important for this denomination: I’m young, I’m educated, and I’m willing to work for the future of this denomination.
In my humble opinion, then, it would seem that the denomination should respond to a situation like mine by saying, “We have typically done things this way, but perhaps we need to consider newer ways, in order to fit this situation.” Instead, it seems that the response has been, “We have typically done things this way, and we will continue to do so. You need to adjust your plans to fit our framework.”
People with way more experience and wisdom than I have made these decisions. So I don’t want to suggest that I know better. And they could certainly be right.
But minimally, I’m pretty convinced that if the organization keeps doing things as it’s always done, then it will not be prepared for what comes next.
So, instead of adjusting myself to fit the system, I think it best if I find another community where I can express my gifts and calling best.
I wish the denomination luck. A rocky path lies ahead.