Thread by @tharzula

Since #GC2019 I've been struggling to understand who the centrists are in the #UMC and, in light of the tone-deaf #UMCNext plan from those who claim the mantle of centrism, I've been working to comprehend their perspective. A thread...

I can't help notice that so many in the #UMC screaming, "Unity! Unity! Unity!" have no interest in unity among the catholic Church and the teaching of nearly all Christians in all places at all times regarding sexuality and human relationships. Why is that? Partially because...

There is a myth in the #UMC which proclaims some mass of 'centrists' who exist amid radicals on the right or left regarding the denomination's schism over human sexuality. But either you support inclusion of practicing gay clergy and same-sex marriage, or you don't.

Therefore, on issues of human sexuality, there are no centrists in the #UMC. Those calling themselves 'centrists' are, at best, actually institutionalist supporters of the status quo or, at worst, they are being intellectually dishonest.

My friends on the right and the left are honest enough to see that God can--and will--do a new thing through the people called Methodist if we are willing to set one another free without enmity to faithfully bear witness as God calls us, as wretchedly painful as schism is.

At this point, with #GC2019 having been called to chart our way forward and with many in the #UMC not liking its outcome, calls for "Unity! Unity! Unity!" ring hollow, because the loudest voices for it are aiming primarily at preserving a status quo...

While God has done, and continues to do, incredible, holy, and transformative work through the #UMC, our status quo is 5 straight decades of membership decline and a failing experiment in rudderless & generic Mainline Protestantism.

Lord, renew your people. Christ, have mercy.