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UMC's big picture is bright

Published: 4/20/2007

As I travel around Kansas—and indeed, around the country—I often am struck by the discouraged attitude some United Methodist Christians have about the future of our church. They see the decades of decline and feel that others are being successful while we are failing.

I believe such attitudes are only half right. There is no denying that we have problems and that overall trends in worship attendance, membership and missional effectiveness have been negative. But that is only part of the story.

Some United Methodist congregations are growing. Some of our annual conferences are growing. Many of our mission efforts, like our relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina and our Nothing But Nets campaign, are doing amazing things to transform the world. Here in Kansas, we have great congregations and great ministries like United Methodist Youthville and United Methodist Western Kansas Mexican American Ministries. Our two colleges related to the Kansas West Conference are building buildings and adding degree programs that will impact the lives of their students. Many of our trends are, in fact, positive.

What is important here is an attitude described by Jim Collins in the book, “Good to Great.” He calls it the “Stockdale paradox.” He interviewed Admiral Jim Stockdale, the highest-ranking prisoner of war in the Vietnam War. Asked how he survived such a long stay in the “Hanoi Hilton,” Stockdale said that optimists did not make it. You had to do two seemingly contradictory things at once. First, you had to face the brutal facts of your situation. Second, you had to believe that you would prevail in the end.

I think this is what Paul means in 2 Corinthians: 4, where he says twice “we do not lose heart” (verses 1 and 16). No matter how bad your situation is—and remember Paul was beaten, shipwrecked and imprisoned—you do not lose heart. Why? Because “… God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5 NRSV) We are gifted with the Holy Spirit, and God is leading us toward a bright future.

In addition, I am convinced the future belongs to those Christian churches that stand in the extreme center. The fundamentalists and the liberals have had their days. We can learn much from each. But the world is growing more complex, and a church like ours is well positioned to be used by God for wonderful accomplishments in the 21st century. I have not lost heart.