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Commentary
Why I'm a United Methodist Amy Forbus, Apr 2, 2007
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Amy Forbus
First in an occasional series
By Amy Forbus Special Contributor
When people ask why I'm a United Methodist, "because my parents were" is not a valid answer for me.
My dad was a leader on my first mission trip in 1988. At age 75, he still drives the church bus for those who can no longer drive themselves, and he makes an annual mission trip to the UMCOR Depot in Louisiana.
My mom nurtured my love for music ministry, so it was fitting that as we worshipped with my home congregation on Christmas Eve, we discovered we were singing from a United Methodist Hymnal we gave in Mom's memory.
But I am not United Methodist simply because my parents were. Born, baptized and raised in United Methodism, I grew to love it and claim it as my own faith because of its theology of grace, rich tradition and encouragement to nurture faith in Christ throughout life's journey.
As the only student from a rural school attending the downtown church, I didn't feel at home in United Methodist Youth Fellowship. I was more comfortable with school friends who belonged to other denominations.
I'd sing in our church youth choir, but I regularly attended other churches' retreats, revivals and lock-ins with my friends, soaking in their beliefs, their behaviors and, up to a point, their theology.
I'm thankful for those experiences. They enriched one of the deepest times of my faith exploration.
There was fun to be had in other parts of Christianity. But I came to realize that they weren't my spiritual home. I could find a sense of belonging there, but after a while it became evident that their brand of belief, that definition of God, was too small for me.
'On my own terms'
That smallness showed itself in the negative reaction of my schoolmates when I excitedly announced that my church was getting its first female pastor. Invitations to visit my church were declined, though I'd been to theirs many times.
It was also evident when the validity of my infant baptism was questioned; when I saw congregations split over matters that could've been reconciled through a structure like United Methodism; and when I saw subservience of women enforced even though "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).
Though I never officially left, I began a return to United Methodism on my own terms. As I prepared for college, I considered state schools and a Baptist university, but ultimately decided on a Methodist-related one.
After a rocky freshman year, I allowed my roommate to drag me into the choir loft at First United Methodist, four blocks from campus. From there, I saw several of my professors each Sunday, as well as other mentors in the faith.
On campus, I became active in the Religious Life Council, and planned the baccalaureate worship service for my senior class, the first time that service had been held in years.
When my husband and I married and moved to North Texas in 1996, it marked more than the beginning of a new family. It was the start of a search for a place where country-UMC-boy and downtown-UMC-girl could both feel at home and find meaningful ways to be in ministry.
Re-connecting
At Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Carrollton, Texas, a church named for John Wesley's new beginning, we've found our own new beginnings, too. We've been active members for almost seven years now.
Ten years ago, I never thought a church without a pipe organ was in my future, and while choir was a given, I would never have dreamed I'd be singing in a worship band, too - and absolutely loving it.
And we've found a sense of mission through this congregation: My husband and I have worked Habitat for Humanity builds and our Annual Conference's Amigos Days mission projects, participated in blood drives and served as leaders on youth mission trips.
Being United Methodist is not always warm and cozy and comfortable, as much as I like to pretend it is. Sometimes I wind up asking, rather than telling why I'm a United Methodist.
Controversies, attitudes and divergent beliefs threaten to splinter the church, and even as I've become more involved in my Annual Conference and Jurisdiction, I sometimes wonder why I am willing to sit through all these meetings. Why can't we all get along? And when it's obvious that we can't get along, why do I bother trying?
I eventually do remember why - grace, tradition, a life-long journey in Christ. Good stuff.
That makes it worth all the posturing, the maneuvering, the utter humanity of the church; a church made up of the likes of us - undoubtedly sinners, yet somehow called saints of God all the same.
Ms. Forbus is the Digital Community Builder for UMR Communications.
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Re-connecting
