Relationship & Identity, Not Apostolic Ecclesiological Authority
Even when I have issues with our GMP [that’s General Minister and President – we Disciples love our shorthand], I have an appreciation for how difficult it is to be “in charge” without having any organizational power. Rev. Sharon Watkins, our GMP, is tasked with representing our brand of Christian witness in the plurality of Christianity, and in interfaith dialogue, and with the growing populations of the de-churched and the ‘nones’ as well as clarify an identity of who the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is, and what our shared mission and witness is. The GMP does this while managing the relationships between our theological factions that believe “they” represent what “true” discipledom is all about.
And now to chase a rabbit. I’m not a fan of our denominational vision statement that adapts Micah 6:8 for our own purposes. It was a pretty good little piece of scriptural wisdom before we added our adjective markers like corporate America does. And, even though it says, Our Confession, on our home page, Disciples in fact don’t have a denominational “confession” like our apostolic siblings in faith. Individual disciples make a confession of faith, but it is not creedal, not an acceptance of a particular doctrine, nor an “Affirmation of Faith.” Disciples don’t do that nor require that. That’s what made us a “liberal” frontier movement years ago: open communion without a creedal assent to faith, nor denominational specific baptism often rooted in geography. Can you guess where I fall on the theological spectrum?
Now, back on to main trail. For the past twenty years, our movement for wholeness has struggled to keep the family together, and intentionally assimilate new family members into a Disciples ethos. That ethos, I think, is an embrace of an evolving theological conversation informed by education, experience, and exegesis of the whole biblical witness. Our movement is struggling with changing culture, changing demographics, more choice in the drink cooler labeled “Christian,” and a revival of the idea of separate, but equal. Discipledom, like our Nation, has become more mulligan stew than melting pot. Our relationships and identity were the authority that kept us at the table, together. There was a place set because I claimed Jesus of Nazareth as Christ in my life; and I lived in covenant with other Disciples to be accountable about the consistency of my belief and my living. It is the mulligan stew that our GMP stirs, adds spice, and tries to keep at a simmer rather than allowing it to boil over. For some, the inclusion of LGBTQ persons into congregational life, ordained leadership, and equality through marriage has turned up the heat on the stew. Rev. Sharon Watkins, and our Regional Ministers, share something in common with the Archbishop of Canterbury who is dealing with a family that is not sure they want to share the same name, interpret their history and scripture through different lenses, and feel like the family name is being denigrated. It is happening in many expressions of religion most notably in, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. It is a question of authority and power. It is also a question about what is essential with little thought of charity or liberty.
The Archbishop of Canterbury: Dissolving the Anglican Church to Save It
David A Graham, The Atlantic, Sept 15, 2015“We have no Anglican Pope. Our authority as a church is dispersed, and is ultimately found in Scripture, properly interpreted,” Welby said in his statement. That’s essential for understanding what’s happening now. The archbishop draws his authority as much from tradition and an Anglican sense of propriety as any formal role.