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Thoughts on Division

Note: Bishop Paul Hirschy sends a monthly newsletter to all United Brethren ministers. It is called B-Mail. Here is his February 2004 edition.

Paul Hirschy, bishop

February 2004

I Corinthians 12:25 & 26: "So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

As we begin the 2004 year we are in the process of deciding what will be best for this part of the body of Christ which we call the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The two verses scripture printed above are near the end of the passage talking about the church as the body of Christ. Most of us remember verse 21, "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you,' and the head can not say to the foot, 'I don't need you.'" This verse makes it very clear how inappropriate it would be for one part of the body to think it does not need the other parts.

Information Meetings
on the Missionary Church

I have participated in a number of information meetings. Some have been in regional settings, some in local church settings, some in annual conference settings. I have been pleased with the questions people have asked and, in general, with the attitude with which they have asked those questions. I have seen much open-minded discussion, and I appreciate that. It speaks well of us.

On January 31, we held a question-and-answer time as part of the Michigan Mid-Year Conference. Three persons from the Michigan District of the Missionary Church were present, and I think that was very helpful. Delegates asked some tough questions, but they were fair questions, and they were asked in a good spirit.

In the same way, I think that it is inappropriate for any of us in the United States Church of the United Brethren in Christ to say we do not need each other. I have been saddened by the quick respon

se of some in our body who have stated their intentions to withdraw if certain things do or do not take place. In our General Conferences and annual conferences, we discuss issues and then vote, and the majority decision is what we follow. I can remember times in both annual and General Conference when I voted for what I thought was best and it did not pass. So did the fact that I voted on the losing side give me reason to get upset and leave the body? No! All it means is that the majority did not think the same way I was thinking on the issue.

I want all of us to openly and honestly discuss the issues of joining the Missionary Church. Pray for God's wisdom as you look at the many issues involved in this discussion. Express your concerns and questions on each issue. Honor and respect individuals with a different view or position than your own. We all want to see the body of Christ be a vibrant and healthy church.

I am requesting all of us in the body of Christ to avoid the inappropriate, and premature, attitude which says, "If this or that takes place, we will withdraw." Such statements should be avoided until a final decision is made by a majority of the church. The ELT has gotten the ball rolling, but the total church must affirm the process at several crucial steps. The National Board must vote to continue the process, the entire United States UB church must vote on it, and then the US National Conference must make a final decision (if it gets that far).

If you cannot agree with the collective decision of the total United States church, you will need to follow your conscience. That may mean separating from the rest of the body. Or--and this would be my preference--it may mean that you would live with the agreement to disagree.

We are still relatively early in the process, focusing on educating ourselves and each other on what a union with the Missionary Church would involve. Many people are still learning. We all need to follow this process through to its conclusion without divisive threats. We are the body of Christ and we should not be so quick to say, "I do not need you." Such a divisive, independent spirit is foreign to 1 Corinthians 12, and should not be honored or promoted in any form.

I believe our spiritual enemy wants to cause harm and divisions in the body of Christ. I think we will see churches claiming that they are going to withdraw and become independent either way the church decides the issue of joining the Missionary Church. Where the Spirit of Christ is present there should be peace and unity. This does not mean that we will never face challenges or struggles. However, it does mean that when the decision is made, we stick together and support the decision. We are the body of Christ, and the eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you." We need to make sure our attitudes reflect the Spirit of Christ as we walk through this process of deciding what is best for the body of Christ.