For many in our community, the news has been circulating: Wayne Street Church will no longer be affiliated with the United Methodist Church (UMC), and I, Pastor Tim, will be transitioning from my role as a United Methodist Pastor. However, I want to assure you, neither Wayne Street nor myself are leaving the St. Marys community. Wayne Street Church and I remain deeply committed to this area, and you can continue to rely on our presence and active participation in the life of St. Marys.
As I write this, I am attending the annual meeting for pastors and lay leaders, held this year at the Dayton Convention Center. This gathering is typically where we chart the course for the upcoming year in ministry. While traditionally an annual event, this is the first in-person meeting in three years. Perhaps a bit ironic, considering the challenges of the last few years, to have paused in-person gatherings for so long.
For those familiar with the United Methodist Annual Conference, you might expect it to be at Lakeside. That has changed. This year, we are in the Dayton Convention Center, where the air conditioning is quite strong – strong enough that I regret not bringing a warmer layer. The familiar and inspiring setting of Hoover Auditorium, where I was ordained in 2004, has been replaced by this modern convention space. Functionally, it’s well-equipped with working lights, screens, reliable WiFi, and a decent sound system. The chairs are certainly more comfortable, and the cool air is a welcome change from the usual summer heat. Though, I do miss the ice cream vendors, perhaps that’s not the primary focus of this meeting. Our purpose here is to define our direction for ministry in the coming year.
An early experience highlighted my unfamiliarity with Dayton – I managed to park in the wrong parking garage. To someone like myself, not accustomed to city layouts, many buildings can seem indistinguishable. It wasn’t until I noticed a concentration of predominantly white individuals that I realized I had found the convention center in an otherwise diverse area. I anticipate this demographic observation will be mentioned more than once during the conference. While I don’t expect any concrete actions to address it, it will likely be a talking point.
My main reason for attending this conference is to witness the vote concerning churches, like Wayne Street Church, that are withdrawing from the UMC. My interest is primarily out of curiosity – to understand the discussions surrounding churches choosing to leave the denomination. At Wayne Street, we engaged in extensive discussions before making our decision. Ultimately, it came down to a lack of confidence in the direction of the organization as a whole. This is not a reflection on individual members or leaders within the UMC, but rather a broader concern about the fracturing within the denomination regarding the fundamental principles of ministry in today’s world. While I participated in a morning session involving coloring with crayons – and as someone with artistic inclinations, I attempted to find meaning in my creation, even if my tablemate was monopolizing the forest green crayon – (please note the sarcasm).
Reflecting back to the late 1990s, I recall the arduous journey to achieve ordination within the UMC. It was a challenging process, but I was immensely proud to become part of the denomination. Now, 25 years later, I have chosen to transfer my credentials to a different denomination – something I would have deemed improbable less than a year ago. Yet, here we are. And honestly, there’s a sense of anger about it. Many might attribute these departures to issues like gay marriage and the ordination of practicing homosexuals. However, to me, these are symptoms of a deeper issue, not the root cause. The fundamental problem, as I see it, is the direction of influence. The Church is meant to shape culture, but it appears the reverse is happening. Even in this conference, discussions are centered around market strategies, investment opportunities, and securing church property.
These topics are of little interest to me. If the primary goal is to preserve the United Methodist Church as an institution, then perhaps it is time for it to fade away. There are countless dedicated and good-hearted people within the United Methodist system, yet the leadership seems to be leading them astray. Our purpose should not be self-preservation. We are called by our faith to transform the world. That is the mission I committed to, and regardless of the denominational label, my focus remains on building the Kingdom of God.
There’s a poignant line in the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross”: “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, ‘til my trophies at last I lay down.” Over these past few days, I have laid down a significant trophy – my ordination within the UMC, a status I have held for decades. While not the most challenging experience of my life, it is a significant turning point. And it is with considerable regret that we have reached this juncture.
