Unity

Ephesians 4:1-6

Rev. Monte Marshall 

 

In 2014, the Pew Research Center issued a report on political polarization in America.  The report concludes that “Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines—and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive—than at any point in the last two decades.”  The report also notes that “’Ideological silos’ are now common on both the left and right.  People with down-the-line ideological positions—especially conservatives—are more likely than others to say that most of their close friends share their political views.  Liberals and conservatives disagree over where they want to live, the kind of people they want to live around and even whom they would welcome into their families.”[1]

In commenting on this report, New York Times columnist, Charles Blow, wrote that “For an increasing number of Americans, the tenor of politics has reached a near-religious pitch, in which people on opposing ends of the ideological scale take on theological properties:  good or evil, angels or demons, here to either save our way of life or destroy it.”[2]

Here in Texas, some are responding to the divisions with our country by taking a page from the Civil War play book and once again calling for our state’s secession from the Union.[3]  To quote Yogi Berra:  “It’s like déjà-vu all over again!”[4]  

So it would appear that America’s political landscape is scarred by deep divisions.  And I wish that we could overcome the divisiveness.  In fact, I’m just idealistic enough to hope that the church of Jesus Christ would model the way forward toward unity and peace in our society.  That’s sort of what we’re supposed to be about, right?  But unfortunately, we have our own struggles with divisiveness, don’t we? 

Take a look at The United Methodist Church.  The divisions are so deep within our denomination that some are threatening schism—that is, separation—or what I call ecclesiastical secession.  Schism would drive the factions within The United Methodist Church ever-deeper into those silos that we mentioned earlier, with devastating consequences for the church and our witness in the world—at least that’s my point of view. 

In a statement issued last year, a group of so-called “traditionalists” pastors and theologians called for an amicable parting of the ways with these words:  “It is time to recognize that traditionalists and progressives are pursuing divergent paths as we try to follow Christ and be faithful to what we understand to be the Gospel.  Though there are deeper issues that divide us, our differences, unfortunately, have now come to the fore around the subjects of marriage and human sexuality.”[5]

On the progressive side of the equation, there are predictions that if significant changes are not made in the discriminatory policies against LGBTQ persons at the next General Conference in 2016, many progressives will leave The United Methodist Church.  My friend and colleague, Rev. Sid Hall, the pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Austin, made this prediction yesterday in a Facebook post:  “I would say that if things do not change by 2016, the whole ship is likely to break apart.  Progressives will be leaving in mass—especially in the South and in the Midwest—tired of trying to sing God’s song in a foreign land.”[6]

It is against the backdrop of divisiveness in America and divisiveness within the church that we turn to this morning’s text.  First of all, a word about the context:  Originally, the letter to the Ephesians addressed the churches in the region of Asia Minor.  And apparently, there were tensions within these churches caused by two groups with a history of hostility toward one another, being together within the Christian church.  I’m talking about Jews and Gentiles. 

Earlier in the letter, the writer proclaims that in Christ Jesus, the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles is broken down, with the two hostile groups being reconciled in one body—the church, which has been constructed as a spiritual dwelling place for God.  Within this community there is supposed to be peace because all have access to the one Spirit. 

That’s the vision; but the reality is a little different.  Here’s the situation:  The churches of Asia Minor are struggling to embody the vision.  And it’s hard.  The divisions of the past are not easily overcome.  In fact, one commentator calls the situation within these fledgling churches “precarious.”  He writes:  “There has apparently been a takeover movement by Gentiles who neither know nor care much about Israel and her place in salvation history.  Her traditions and practices are odd and strange to those of pagan heritage and are being dismissed as archaic and increasingly irrelevant to ‘real life.’  Moreover, these ‘new’ Christians are (in the eyes of their Jewish brothers and sisters) too enamored with the easygoing morality of the dominant culture, calling it ‘freedom in Christ’ and citing the rabbi and Christian apostle Paul as their justification for offensive practices.”[7]

In response, this morning’s text restates the vision.  Seven times the word “one” appears in the six verses of this text.  The writer is emphasizing unity and peace within the church.  These are gifts given by the Spirit.  In other words, this is who we are as the church! 

But the challenge is to be who we are!  The writer recognizes that unity is both a given and the goal for the Christian community.  Richard Ward writes:  “Unity is not just something Christians passively accept or reject—it is something we choose to do.  The maintenance of unity requires ‘every effort’ on the part of the baptized to create spaces of grace where diversity in life and practice is honored.”[8]

But again, this is not easy, hence the writer’s plea to “Treat one another charitably, in

complete selflessness, gentleness and patience.”  The word “patience” is perhaps better translated “long-suffering.”

In all of this, there is one God at work, the Creator of us all, the One who is over all, who works through all, and is within all.”  This suggests to me that when we give up on one another and split apart, we are, in a sense, giving up on God—the all in all who is working to keep us united.

Now I don’t know what the future holds for The United Methodist Church.  Our divisions may, indeed, do us in.  Schism may be coming and if it does, each of us will have to decide for ourselves how to respond. 

As for me, I’m determined to do my best to hold on to the vision of Ephesians 4.  I personally find that vision compelling and worthy of my best efforts.  I’ll continue to advocate for unity and for an end to discrimination in our church.  But if, God forbid, schism comes, I intend to remain a United Methodist, hopefully until the day I die.  After all, the people of The United Methodist Church are my family in the faith and I take that relationship very seriously.

But if the day comes when I find myself in an even more hostile denominational environment, I will work to embody the unity that is ours in Christ.  This means, at the very least, staying connected to those with whom I disagree, while also doing my best to speak the truth in love as I understand that truth.  Will it be hard?  I suspect so.  Will patience or long-suffering be required?  I have no doubt.   

And if, for whatever reason, I am no longer permitted to serve as a United Methodist pastor, then I’ll serve as a United Methodist layperson.  And if the church chooses at some point to kick me out altogether, then so be it, but I don’t intend to leave voluntarily.

As I contemplate the struggle ahead, I take courage from the witness of Rev. Sara Thompson Tweedy, one of the speakers who will be here this week for Gather at the River.  Rev. Tweedy is an ordained United Methodist elder in upstate New York.  She’s married and has kids with her spouse.  Her spouse, by the way, is also a female. 

Last summer, a complaint was filed against Rev. Tweedy for being, in the words of the United Methodist Book of Discipline, a “self-avowed, practicing homosexual.”[9]  Her bishop dismissed the complaint for lack of evidence.  Believe it or not, The United Methodist Church actually has some strict criteria to follow in proving a complaint like that, and in Rev. Tweedy’s case, the criteria weren’t met.

Afterwards, a reporter was curious about why Rev. Tweedy stays in The United Methodist Church, so the reporter asked her:  “Why stay when you are treated this way?”  This was Rev. Tweedy’s response:  “This is my church too.  I won’t let the church that I love be beaten down by prejudice and bigotry.”[10]

I’m also moved by the witness of a young woman named Sarah Stankorb, the reporter who asked Rev. Tweedy that question.  Sarah grew up a United Methodist but in later life, gave up her faith in God altogether—in no small measure as a result of how she saw LGBTQ people being treated in The United Methodist Church. 

In writing an article on the possibility of schism in The United Methodist Church, Sarah had a conversation with pastor friend who reminded her of what makes Methodism special.  He said:  “There are very serious things that we disagree on, but we still east the same bread.  We still drink from the same cup.” 

Sarah then wrote: “I spent years mourning the loss of my faith, that church with its bread, its cup.  I no longer believe in God or the church’s theology, but for those who do, I’ve tasted what schism could mean.  They’ll give up communion; their church covenant will be torn asunder.  They’ll see a final, antediluvian wave of prejudice crashing against a church built on reason and love.  If I were a praying sort, I’d pray [that] those who still believe would stand together, a great rock in a storm.  I’d pray that hate would wash away—not in congregants lost, churches broken—but hearts changed.  I’d pray that unity could transform.  Now that, quite rightly, would be some kind of miracle.”[11]

I, for one, hope Sarah’s prayer is answered because quite frankly, I’m ready for some kind of miracle.  I’m ready for some kind of miracle in which The United Methodist Church avoids falling victim to the increasing polarization of our society, and instead, chooses to model a way forward toward unity and peace.  And wouldn’t that be a miracle worth seeing?  Thanks be to God!  Amen.