Thread by @BrianFelkJones

What's one thing folks learning about the divide happening in United Methodism should know that's often undiscussed? A seemingly small, but immensely impactful part of polity: the Restrictive Rules- & the (in)ability to change doctrine! What are Restrictive Rules? 🧵/1 #UMC #GMC

The first 2 Restrictive Rules are most important. They are found in Part 1, Division Two, Section III of the Constitution in the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. The Discipline is defines and encourages the UMC "connexion." /2 #UMC #GMC

Just as an FYI, General Conference is the body which speaks for United Methodism. It meets every 4 years from Annual Conferences across the globe made up of an equal delegation of laity/clergy. The delegations are elected by the local Annual Conferences. /3 #UMC #GMC

Restrictive Rule 1 (para 17, article 1) states "The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our Articles of Religion or establish any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine." /4 #UMC #GMC

Restrictive Rule 2 (para 18, article II) states "The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our Confession of Faith." /5 #UMC #GMC

The interesting thing about these two Restrictive Rules, besides protecting the "Articles of Religion" and the "Confession of Faith," is that the first 2 Restrictive Rules themselves are given special protection. /6 #UMC #GMC

To amend or change the Constitution of the UMC, General Conference not only has to vote with a 2/3 's majority, but 2/3's aggregate affirmative vote of Annual Conferences around the globe. /7 #UMC #GMC

Yet, that high standard is EVEN HIGHER, for the first 2 Restrictive Rules. According The Discpline (Part 1, Division Five, para 59. Article 1). Now that bar for change goes from 2/3's affirmative vote to 3/4's. /8 #UMC #GMC

All that to say, the first 2 Restrictive Rules make changing our Doctrinal Standards so high, that it is practically IMPOSSIBLE to change. Why would that be a problem, especially for me as an evangelical who affirms the Articles of Religion & Confession of Faith? /9 #UMC #GMC

It means (to be generous to all) since we can't really argue about doctrine, since it is impossible to change, many people use the same language, but mean very different things when they speak to each other in the United Methodist Church. /10 #UMC #GMC

Thus, over time, there's been a build-up of differences and interpretation of doctrine over the years. And ironically, since the General Superintendents (bishops) and Agencies don't want to acknowledge it, it all boils under the surface . . . constantly. /11 #UMC #GMC

Therefore, it creates a United Methodism in which the Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith do reflect the actual theological beliefs of the clergy, laity, seminaries, Annual Conferences, and local congregations. /12 #UMC #GMC

The high bar for changing or amending the UMC Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith by the first 2 Restrictive Rules actually suppresses and discourages conversation about real theological differences and disagreements. /13 #UMC #GMC

Instead, it creates proxy wars, in which we fight about unrelated things because we can't actually discuss the root of our disagreements. It stops honest conversations. And when that builds up over years, it has terrible consequences, which are playing out now. /14 #UMC #GMC

It also creates General Superintendents (Bishops) who are incentivized, by the very system itself, to say there are no differences happening and if there are- it is because you are a problem creating chaos. "There is no problem here, friends. We really all agree!" /15 #UMC #GMC

Let me be clear, I am an evangelical United Methodist pastor. I love our Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith. I don't want them to change. However, I understand if they are unchangeable, they become irrelevant because they do not reflect us accurately. /16 #UMC #GMC

Also, to be fair, because of this history, I understand how someone from the other side of the theological spectrum in good faith may think the way I interpret the Articles of Religion and Confession are strange and wrong. /17 #UMC #GMC

My hope is going forward the #UMC and #GMC will change the almost impossible bar for changing the Articles of Religion or the Confession of Faith by the first two Restrictive Rules. It will open up honest theological and scriptural discussions. /18

And in the end, isn't that a basic part of "Christian conferencing?" As my Mom and Dad say about relationships, "Fight about what you are really fighting about . . . that is the only way forward in love." 19/19 end #UMC #GMC