“Examining the Gap Between Mainline Denominational Clergy and Laity: A Case Study”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Title: Closing the Gap: Examining the Disconnect Between United Methodist Leaders and Congregants

Introduction

In a recent article titled “Confessions of a Maverick, Part I,” the author shed light on the significant gap between the clergy and laity of mainline denominations. The article highlighted the findings of a poll conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, which revealed that while 55% of clergy identified as liberal, only 22% of their congregants did. However, the disparity within the mainline denominations themselves is even more striking. This article will delve deeper into the differences between the clergy and laity of various mainline denominations, focusing particularly on the United Methodist Church.

The Divide within Mainline Denominations

The poll findings indicate that the United Church of Christ, Episcopalians, Presbyterians (USA), ELCA Lutherans, and Disciples have higher percentages of liberal clergy compared to their conservative counterparts. For instance, 84% of United Church of Christ clergy identified as liberal, while only 6% identified as conservative. Similarly, the percentages for Episcopalians were 69% liberal and 11% conservative, while for Presbyterians (USA) they were 70% liberal and 9% conservative. These figures suggest a significant ideological divergence between the leaders and the laity within these denominations.

The United Methodist Experience

As an ordained United Methodist elder with 65 years of experience, including serving as a district superintendent and attending annual and General Conferences multiple times, the author argues that the United Methodist Church’s leadership has a different understanding of its members’ theological and cultural orientation. While denominational leaders assume alignment with the beliefs and views of ordinary church members, the author posits that this assumption is misguided.

Conservative Theology and Moderate Politics

Based on his extensive interactions with United Methodist clergy and congregants, the author contends that United Methodist churchgoers are generally evangelical in their theology and moderate to conservative in politics and cultural and social matters. This observation challenges the prevailing notion that United Methodists are primarily liberal or progressive in their beliefs. The author suggests that this misalignment between the clergy and the laity leads to mistrust among church members towards their leaders.

The Neglected Doctrine of Atonement

One example of the perceived gap between the clergy and laity is the diminishing emphasis on the doctrine of atonement in the United Methodist Church. The author argues that while Methodism historically placed great importance on the atonement, the current denominational leadership seems to have shifted its focus away from this foundational doctrine. The author highlights the lack of references to salvation and the cross in official United Methodist sources, Sunday school materials, and even teaching pictures aimed at young children.

Efforts to Change Foundational UM Theology

The author acknowledges that there are elements within the United Methodist Church that have been working to change its foundational theology for the past 150 years. He refutes the claims made by Mainstream UMC, a political group advocating for a “compatibilist” approach, which seeks unity regardless of differing beliefs or moral standards. The author argues that the majority of United Methodists, including laypeople and numerous churches, still uphold traditional UM doctrine and resist attempts to reconstruct it.

Conclusion

The growing gap between the clergy and laity within mainline denominations, such as the United Methodist Church, poses significant challenges to church unity and trust. While denominational leaders often assume alignment with the beliefs of their congregants, the reality is often quite different. The United Methodist Church, like many other mainline denominations, is grappling with the ideological divergence between its leadership and its members. Bridging this gap requires open dialogue, a deeper understanding of congregational beliefs, and a renewed commitment to upholding traditional doctrines that have historically defined the denomination..