Rev. Dr. Warren Lathem, a retired Elder in the UMC, North Georgia, is the founder and President of Venezuela Now, Inc (VNI), a US non-profit supporting the ministries of the Seminario Wesleyano de Venezuela, the Wesley Medical Centers, and the Methodist Church of Venezuela. This year VNI shipped 1.25 million meals and $2.5 million worth of medicines to Venezuela. He served 18 years as Senior Minister of the Mount Pisgah UMC in Johns Creek, GA where during his tenure worship attendance grew from 75 to an average over 3,000. The former District Superintendent resides in Rome, GA with Jane, his wife of 47 years.
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We have historically affirmed our faith as Christians and Methodists through the embrace of the Nicene and Apostles Creed. Members were required to affirm their faith as being consistent with these orthodox and, then, Wesleyan doctrines as contained in the Book of Discipline.
However, entrance into the faith, which we were required to affirm, was through the transforming work of grace produced by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Conversion was a prerequisite to membership. This was seen as a transformation from a life of sin to a life of pursuing holiness. Then we were expected to continue in this transforming relationship with Christ until we grew into the full stature of Christ, being made holy in love.
This experiential faith was gradually replaced by a sacerdotal faith. The transaction which occurred at Baptism replaced the necessity of an experiential transformation. Now we “Remember our Baptism” because we have no conversion/transformation to remember.
As Methodist preachers at our ordination we were asked to answer traditional questions posed by John Wesley. One of them was, “Do you expect to be made perfect in this life?” By the time I was ordained in 1975 the church generally giggled at this question and response. It was asked somewhat tongue in cheek. It was often definitely affirmed tongue in cheek, or at least it was interpreted in such a theologically anemic way as to be of no consequence.
For many years Methodists expected a testimony of and experience of saving grace, the New Birth, conversion from a life of sin as the necessary step into membership. Through the years we shifted to confirmation which was primarily intellectual versus spiritual, transactional versus transformational. It was a change of mind that we required much more than a change of heart.
Membership in our churches required taking certain vows, but required no evidence of conviction of sin and an experience of transforming grace. This resulted in generations of “good” Methodist Church members who had no testimony of being transformed by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and transformation through the Amazing Grace of Jesus. Hence, in many of our churches we had an over-abundance of committed members who had never been converted.
This same phenomenon became normative for our preachers. Denominational theological seminaries became professional schools pursuing an intellectual faith with little or no awareness of or need for the transforming work of grace in the student. Students raised in churches where conversion, sanctification and transformation had been lost were certainly not going to encounter them in our seminaries.
Paul warned the church about this problem. He instructed Timothy, his successor, about what he was to avoid:
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” II Timothy 3:2-7.
And this exactly what has happened to so much of the United Methodist Church. Look at Paul’s words again, but read them in the context of what is happening in today’s church.
The very things Paul condemns we are being called on to affirm. The radical agenda of the Progressives in our church demands we affirm:
“We are journeying toward a new way of being followers of Christ that refute the imbalance of powers, principalities, and privileges that has plagued Methodism: colonialism, white supremacy, economic injustices, patriarchy, sexism, clericalism, ableism, ageism, transphobia, and heteronormativity. … [T]he work of liberating holy resources includes a commitment to reparations and the healing of the earth. … We dream of a new community, freed from hereditary limitations and historical precedent, where we hold all material things in common and embrace new ways to value the gifts of everyone.” (Taken from the Liberation Methodist Connexion website.)
This is the result of the liberal push which has driven the UMC since its beginning in 1968 in Dallas, Texas. That liberal push was much of the reason for the formation of the UMC.
This married two very different understandings of the meaning of the faith, the exercise of the faith and the core values of the faith. We began moving in opposing tangents, which at the time of merger did not appear so significant, but have since continually moved further and further apart until one side can’t even acknowledge the other is in fact a Christian movement. Hence the absolute necessity of the Protocol for Separation being presented to the next General Conference in 2021.
My concern today is not for those far leftist folks who are radically committed to their theological/sociological/political agenda. They are bold and clear in what they expect of their adherents.
Nor is my concern today primarily for the Traditionalists who are clear in their theological/missional/doctrine identity. They (we), too, are bold in what we expect of those who wish to be a part of this movement.
My concern today is for the so-called “Centrists.” They occupy what has often been called the “mushy middle” which can’t clearly state a unifying theology/doctrine/mission. But more tragically, many of the church members and pastors in this group are among those who exchanged the experience of the transforming power of the Gospel for an intellectual affirmation of some ambivalent doctrines or beliefs most often cloaked in social justice language.
Advocates for this group, including my own bishop and many others, are saying to their pastors and churches, just stay where you are. After the split, nothing of consequence will change. They are counting on ambivalent doctrinal alignment, inertia and fear of change, coupled with the enticement of the guaranteed appointment, and therefore salary, to be enough to keep most in line.
When I mentioned this to a bishop recently, he declared, “That is what we call the Great Lie. As soon as the Traditionalists are gone, the Discipline will be radically changed and adherence will be mandated for both clergy and local churches.”
When the sleepy, self-content congregation is assigned a gay clergy couple or a transgendered pastor they will have no choice but to receive them. Weddings celebrating all kinds of unorthodox relationships will be celebrated in their churches conducted by their clergy. They will be required to affirm this new expression of the faith.
Of course, some will gladly do so, especially among the Centrist clergy. They have already pledged their allegiance to this flag. Also, some churches will gladly embrace and affirm this new expression. But many traditional members who had been lulled to sleep will awaken.
Realizing what had happened while they slept, they will simply exit the denomination. They will leave behind churches which can no longer pay the salaries of their clergy and closings will escalate at a great rate.
What can be done about the Liberationists? Nothing. They have cast their lot. What can be done with the Traditionalists? They (we), too, have determined our direction.
But what about the Centrists? Probably nothing of consequence can be done. It is a dying institution. It is a church that replaced conversion with affirmation and as such has become a spiritually anemic institution “having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof,” to quote the Apostle Paul again.
However, there is one thing that needs to happen beyond praying. Those of us who know traditional pastors and lay folks in these Centrist conferences and churches need to be sounding the alarm for them.
They are being sold “The Great Lie.” The clergy are so intimidated they will not inform their congregations of what is happening in the denomination. Or the clergy are so fearful of their place in the local church they will not even speak to their folks about what is happening, being governed by fear of conflict instead of having the boldness which the Holy Spirit provides.
The call is for Traditionalists who are unafraid to speak what we believe to be the truth. We must start having conversations with fellow clergy and lay folks who are in for a very rude awakening if they are lulled into believing the Great Lie.
Transformation is required. Affirmation is not enough.
Comment by David Connon on December 17, 2020 at 7:51 pm
Rev. Lathem, thank you for this powerful piece.
Comment by Douglas E Ehrhardt on December 17, 2020 at 9:31 pm
Amen brother true words.
Comment by Brad Pope on December 17, 2020 at 9:39 pm
This is the most accurate state on the UMC I have read. My fellow Methodists at my church are amazing people with big hearts who have been sold a big lie and most are completely unaware. When our church promoted “Bible studies” on a book about Jesus not being divine and nobody even raised an eyebrow I knew we were on the titanic listening to the orchestra.. the question is – do you stay and try to wake up a few while annoying most, or do you get out and be fed yourself? Where do traditional Methodists go in a place like Atlanta where all the UMC congregations are led by either avowed progressives or “centrists” whistling past the graveyard who while committed to making members are ambivalent about making Bible believing disciples?
Comment by Daniel on December 18, 2020 at 7:37 am
Fantastic article! Every Methodist should read this immediately.
Comment by Stacey Murdock on December 18, 2020 at 10:04 am
If you cannot remember the Transformation then it probably did not happen. I remember the doomsday predictions after 1968, they’re coming true today.
Happy birthday John Wesley, we need you in the pulpit and the countryside, standing on the gravestone and the street corner.
I pray for the NGUMC Conference, we’ve forgotten our mission of making Disciples for Jesus Christ who can relate to the transformation of conversion.
Comment by Amy Cobb on December 19, 2020 at 8:33 am
Truth
Comment by William on December 20, 2020 at 12:05 pm
To: Brad Pope
You asked, “where do traditional Methodists go in a place like Atlanta?”
We’re in the same boat. But, the place to start could be Mt Bethel United Methodist Church. We’re not members (yet), but it is our prayer that MBUMC will be a major role model and leader of the new traditional Methodist denomination in North Georgia, especially for metro Atlanta. Right now, for those caught in the pandemic and/or unable to make the commute to East Cobb, this is an excellent and real traditional Methodist online worship experience on Sunday mornings.
Comment by Chase Whittington on December 21, 2020 at 8:45 am
What a hot, steamy pile of divisiveness. This reads like one of the multitude of Republicans attack ads I’m stuck watching on a daily basis…strap on your skis and ride down the slippery slope. GAY CLERGY COUPLES…TRANS LEAD PASTORS…AAAAAGGHHH! To say that you have to pick your brand of extremism is simply giving into the partisanship of the world.
What this sounds like to me is that in this long absence there is a fear that cooler heads may prevail and all of this partisan work may not bear the fruits of division the good reverend has helped to fertilize with manure like this for so long.
If the extremists want to leave, go…but don’t attempt to shame those you dub the “center” for not indulging your call to partisanship.
Comment by Jeff on December 21, 2020 at 1:27 pm
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, … Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due. And even as they refused to have God in [their] knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting…”
GOD’s word is clear, Chase. You espouse heresy; the Creator WILL give you up into the cesspool of immorality you have longed for. You’ll need to find a way to fund the United Methodist Bathhouse yourselves though. 😉
Comment by Wayne Worsham on December 21, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Brad Pope: “When our church promoted “Bible studies” on a book about Jesus not being divine and nobody even raised an eyebrow” That is what the book of John is all about. John wrote his Gospel in his older age to let people know that Jesus is fully divine.
I highly recommend the book “Unlocking the Bible” by David Pawson. If you don’t know a book was written then you don’t know what the writer is trying to tell you. Also, chapters and verses have not been helpful. God did not intend for the Bible to have chapters and verses.
William: I am in south GA conference but know the former pastor at MBUMC. That is a great church which has had great leadership. Would highly recommend that church.
Comment by William on December 22, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Chase,
It would help us all if you would answer the following three questions:
1. In the United Methodist Church at present, what is the centrist definition of Christian marriage?
2. In the United Methodist Church at present, what is the centrist definition of sexual immorality?
3. In the United Methodist Church at present, what is the centrist understanding of Biblical authority?
Comment by William on December 23, 2020 at 2:00 pm
In addition— it would be most helpful to all if a United Methodist Church identified CENTRIST would offer the centrist interpretation of this, for example, Scripture:
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Comment by William on December 24, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Furthermore — what is the UMC CENTRIST interpretation of these words spoken by Jesus?
Matthew 19:4-6
4. “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5. and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?’ 6. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Comment by Jay Westfall on December 26, 2020 at 4:31 pm
Thank you Rev Warren,
Your thoughts are true, comforting and timely.
The Great Lie must be articulated to fellow laity at my own church. I know the Holy Spirit will give me the words…
Peace be with you.
Comment by William on December 27, 2020 at 12:34 pm
THE BIG LIE posted on the North Georgia Conference website 1-16-20
Message from the North Georgia Conference Cabinet on the
Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation
## This Protocol offers a path for The United Methodist Church to continue to be a denomination for those with traditional, centrist, and progressive perspectives. The post-separation United Methodist Church will continue to have room for divergent perspectives and value diversity as an essential component of our faith.
## The Protocol also offers a path to separate for those whose convictions do not allow them to continue to be United Methodist.
[Note: there could not be a more insulting, disrespecting, demeaning, slanderous, and deceiving depiction of Traditionalists and the traditional perspective in the North GA Conference than the above statement]
Comment by William on December 27, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Sorry — it’s THE GREAT LIE.
Comment by Rev. Dr. Lee D Cary (ret. UM clergy) on December 28, 2020 at 3:43 pm
Warren, thank you for telling the plain, honest truth (not that there is any other kind). You summed up the current status of the “Methodist” movement in remarkably few words.
It committed suicide by buying The Great Lie. That was easy to do, since there was no Episcopal leadership (neither then or now) to alert the Laity.
For some reading your article, the truth will set them free, but it may, at first consideration, provoke their anger. They’ll get over it – or they won’t. It doesn’t matter. It’s still the truth.
Comment by betsy on January 6, 2021 at 10:10 am
I can very much relate to this question from Brad Pope: “the question is – do you stay and try to wake up a few while annoying most, or do you get out and be fed yourself?”
Several years ago, things came unwound for me at the local UMC where I had been a member for over 20 years–it was the only UMC I had attended as an adult. I started reading John Wesley’s sermons and was amazed how far the UMC had drifted from what Methodism originally was. I found this statement: “First, save yourself and then when the opportunity presents itself save others. But no matter what else you do, always save yourself.” I have been following his advice ever since.
Wesley also said something along the lines of only do those things that promote inward and outward holiness. Church, including worship was leaving me confused, frustrated and boxed in. I miss church, especially historic liturgical worship, but a wide open life with God has been the better choice
And then there is Wesley’s definition of the church:
“This is the original design of the Church of Christ. It is a body of men and women compacted together, in order,
first, to save each their own soul;
then to assist each other in working out their salvation; and
afterwards, as far as in them lies, to save all men and women from present and future misery, to overturn the kingdom of Satan, and set up the kingdom of Christ.
And this ought to be the continued care and endeavor of every member of his Church; otherwise he is not worthy to be called a member therof, as he is not a living member of Christ.”– “Wesley on the church”, posted on John Meunier’s Arrow though the Air Blog, April 24, 2012
Comment by Margaret Lane on January 11, 2021 at 3:08 pm
“They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” II Timothy 3:2-7.”
I was with you wholeheartedly until you chose this verse which demeans women in the ugliest terms. So…never mind. I will keep my transformed self away from your teachings.
Comment by Dr. Richard Griffith on May 28, 2021 at 10:39 am
Dr. Lathem – Thank you for writing such a bold, and truthful piece. What baffles me is the fact of just how little discipleship has been occurring in the Western (American) Church. It seems everyone wants to stop at justification (without repentance) while there is certainly a call to deeper spirituality. Sure, folks might even be aware of sanctification that also requires transparency, accountability, and transformation, but it does not mean that many “Believers” have entered this phase of discipleship. I believe this to be especially true of those in leadership who would acquiesce to a zeitgeist of cultural appeasement that does not even require repentance at justification. Further still deeper in the walk of transformation is the concept of mortification. THIS is the primary stage where Christian leaders should be as they model dying to themselves (this includes their unorthodox views of sexual identities) so that they and others might live. The real shame is that those in the liberal and centrist views have only strengthened the argument of secular (and even pagan) sexuality. The call to pursue holiness and mortification means to take up the cross and die to one’s self. This call to mortification, to die to self so that Christ’s life shines through us has been sacrificed on the idolatrous altar of sexuality. Instead, our “leaders” are more concerned about the gratification of the self (themselves and others) over the call to pursue holiness as a witness to Christ’s power in our lives. Thank you for your faithfulness to the call of Christ.
Dr. Richard Griffith
Comment by Mike on August 11, 2022 at 7:47 pm
I went from being a nominal Catholic Christian to being a transformed (1999) United Methodist Christian (2001) and now I am wondering why. I love the UMC, but I love God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit first.