One-on-One with Jeffrey Barbeau on Methodism

“In many parts of the world, the teaching and preaching of Methodists set the stage for the astronomical growth of Pentecostalism.”

Ed: There appears to be a crisis in United Methodism today. Tell us more about the current problem.

Jeffrey: It all depends on who you ask! The short answer is there’s a battle over sexuality in the church. Traditionalists argue that the cultural shift in favor of same-sex marriage is a break in historic Christian doctrine. Progressives believe that refusing ordination to gay and lesbian clergy is an act of profound injustice.

A closer look at the issue might reveal other layers that contribute to the problem.

First, American Methodists have long valued collaboration in favor of shared ministry. Early American Methodists differed sharply over the question of slavery, but somehow managed to carry on despite some serious social and political differences. Finally, when charges of slaveholding were leveled against a bishop, the issue could no longer be ignored.

Second, and this is related, the church is coming to grips with the challenge of unity in a vast, global communion. For a long time, American Methodists enjoyed numerical dominance that allowed them to set the agenda on matters of faith and practice. But with the remarkable growth of Methodism in Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world, voices from the global church can no longer be hushed.

And here is where I think that, finally, the UMC has a crisis of ignorance. When people in a denomination or church fail to understand their own history, they are liable to confusion and misunderstanding.

United Methodists aren’t the first to face these issues, but their prominence in American public life makes the crisis more visible.

Ed: What experiences inside and outside of Methodism shaped your thinking about the movement?

Jeffrey: An important part of my own story involves ...