Adam Hamilton: What I love about the UMC

Adam Hamilton, pastor of United Methodist megachurch Church of the Resurrection, posted the following in an open Facebook group:

My own assessment of the UMC is that in the last twenty years we’ve shifted towards the center theologically and a reclaiming of our evangelical heritage. I believe the United Methodist Church is at its best when it is passionately evangelical, firmly committed to justice, and with a liberal spirit that is always seeking truth, always willing to question old assumptions, and always open to reform.

Part of what I love about the United Methodist Church is that we affirm the historic essentials of the Christian faith but recognize that the 3 lbs of brain mater we each possess is hardly adequate to fully comprehend the glory of God. So we tend to do theology with a bit more humility than some. My hunch is that when we get to heaven we may all be in for a few surprises concerning the theological convictions about which we’re willing to divide here on earth.

While there are some in our church who have capitulated on the historic essentials – this is a decreasing number of people. I know most of our bishops and few if any are where Sprague was. We have the most committed and gifted group of bishops in my lifetime – and most have a passion for Christ and care very much about the church’s faithfulness. This does not mean that they are socially conservative. But I am not certain that social conservativism is to be equated with Christian faithfulness and at some points I am confident it is likely opposed to Christian faithfulness.

Regarding the issue of homosexuality, this is, in my mind, an issue of differences over biblical hermeneutics and one’s theology of scripture. My personal belief is that twenty years from now most Christians will see this issue differently than we do today. I think this may be an issue about which God’s views may not be adequately summarized in the six scriptures that specifically address same sex intimacy in the Bible. If anyone is interested, check out my chapter on this issue in my book, When Christians Get it Wrong.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting with many of our young clergy in the UMC – mentoring some in the Young Pastor’s Network and meeting with others as I speak at annual conferences. They are overwhelmingly evangelical in their theological orientation and also overwhelmingly progressive in their social stances including their views on homosexuality.

I, for one, am more hopeful about the UMC than ever, and I believe our blend of liberal evangelicalism with its emphasis on both holiness and grace, the intellect and the heart, personal holiness and social holiness is one that stands the greatest chance of reaching a new generation of unchurched young adults.