Chapter Eleven
Rev. John Thornburg

What we know for certain is that the future of the denomination would be altered. We can expect some churches to rejoice that United Methodism has put aside a discriminatory thorn in its own flesh. We can expect some churches to withdraw from the United Methodist Church out of their own sense of what is biblically faithful. We can expect some churches to be thrown into a new round of discernment.

The larger issue is whether denominational turbulence can serve a godly purpose. For me, the answer is yes. When I disagree with you, at least three things can happen: I can come to understand my own position better; I can come to understand your position better; or I can fail to learn more either about myself or you.

If I resolve to understand my own position better, I become a better partner in dialogue. I have the opportunity to be more genuine with you because I can move beyond attacking you and on to representing my own belief. I also have the opportunity — through prayer, study, and Christian conversation — to strengthen my overall walk with God and my knowledge of God’s will as revealed in the Bible.

If I resolve to understand your position better, I am less likely to engage in demonizing you. I view you as one who is as faithful to the task of discerning God’s will as I am attempting to be.

God help me if I do neither.

There is much talk going on now that all matters related to homosexuality should be tabled. I hope and pray that this will not happen. If the faith of those who wish to see the church’s position changed is seen as an impediment to getting on with "the real business of the church" (a phrase used regularly these days), then that means part of the real business of the church is silencing discussion on a monumental issue.

As people of faith, we must believe that silencing dialogue is much more threatening to Christian community than the fracture of the United Methodist Church.