Epilogue
The last time the Methodist Church spilt was due to the slavery in 1845 [before the start of the Civil War in 1861]. That split was decades in the making.
At its founding in 1785, the Methodist denomination was explicit in calling for emancipation. But thereafter the church grew quickly. So quickly that it was the largest denomination in the United States by 1840. As they evangelized in slaveholding areas, Methodists compromised — in 1800, the church shifted to calling for “gradual emancipation.” In 1808 local churches were allowed to make their own rules “regarding buying and selling slaves.” And in 1824, slaveholders were gently encouraged to allow slaves to attend church.
With increasing stridency, pro-slavery congregations pushed for more. They secured a resolution in 1836 that the church had no “right, wish or intention to interfere” with slavery. In 1840, the conference condemned 10,000 abolitionist petitions, saying that opponents of slavery would turn slaves into victims “and sacrifice them through the success of their kindness.” This is a far cry from today’s United Methodist Church [UMC] Social Principles.
or is it?
The fear of the 1845 Methodist split was an ominous sign for the future of the United States. History is not repeating itself – People are repeating history.
is this 1845 or today?
The new denominations of 1845, on both sides, created a closer bond with religious and governmental institutions which lead toward greater and more perilous divisions. Each side believed they were the only “true” Methodists and that it was fighting a holy war to the death.[19] The lessons from this history are not comforting.
Are there reasons to stay within the UMC?
Here are 5 reasons to stay…
Click the heart
The Battle Hymn of
the United Methodist Church
Our eyes have seen God’s glory what the UMC can bring.
God has sounded forth the trumpet that shall be
God’s church of grace
and truth
and love.
But the voices pick a side:
Turning their heads
or Welcoming everyone inside.
May Christ’s wisdom to love the underlings and make their voices louder
to honor and love all who sin.
For our labor is to bring God’s heaven on earth for all to win.
Our God is marching on.
Glory, Hallelujah!
[19] From Washington Post, “Why the split in the Methodist Church should set off alarm bells for Americas.” By Sarah Barringer Gordon. 16 January 2020.