September 2004                                                       

Dear RENEW Network Friend, 

Letters and e-mails have been flowing into the RENEW office since General Conference 2004.  They fall within four categories: (1) Those who are concerned about UMW membership decline; (2) Those who have opted to leave the church; (3) Those who hear  statements made by the Women’s Division, or who participate in events sponsored by the Women’s Division, that produce serious concern; (4) Those who have determined to work harder for reform.    

In this letter I would like to address these four areas and share statements from letters and e-mails to authenticate the concerns of evangelical women across the church. 

UMW Membership Decline 

In the August 2004 issue of Response magazine incoming Deputy General Secretary Jan Love was featured.  Ms. Love was quoted as saying, “It’s a joy to think we can take an organization that is thriving and enhance it.”  While we appreciate Ms. Love’s optimism, we must question the statement that the organization of United Methodist Women, under the leadership of the Women’s Division, is “thriving.”  

The July/August issue of Good News featured an article on UMW membership decline.  Statistical information for this report was obtained from a 2002 report prepared by the General Council on Finance and Administration, and posted on their web site. Additional information was obtained from the GCFA statistician, the General Minutes and “Together” magazine. Information regarding membership statistics was also requested from the Women’s Division, but no response was received.  

The statistical information shows a steady decline in UMW membership since 1968, when the Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren Church merged and boasted a total UMW membership of 1.7 million in 38,000 UMW groups.  The most current statistics from 2002 show a UMW membership of 775,939—a drop of 56.8 percent since 1968.  It is noteworthy that the number of churches with UMW groups has declined along with the individual membership.  The 2001 statistics show UMW groups in only 22,321 churches, a loss of 42.8 percent of UMW groups.  The denomination-wide number of churches lost was 16.3 percent.  Within the last five years, UMW has lost more than 129,000 individual members (14 percent) and more than 1,600 churches no longer have UMW units (7 percent loss).   

UMW membership loss is a concern reflected in letters received in the RENEW office: 

“Our group has dwindled and we have few young ladies….” 

“I’ve noticed, according to our directories, that the trend in our membership over the last five years is in continuous decline.  Since General Conference, I’ve had two local units want to withdraw from UMW.  I approached a large church that has no UMW unit about starting one.  The answer I received from the lady I talked to was there had been a lot of discussion about it and the women were not sure they wanted any part of it.”  (--a conference UMW officer) 

“As the current membership of UMW ages, we are not seeing it replaced by the younger women of the church. Under the current climate, I would not encourage my daughters in the direction of UMW, and would certainly not allow them to attend any of the national events.” 

Departure from the UMC 

Sadly there has been a continuing decline in membership within United Methodism for many years. It seems after each General Conference there are departures, this time being no exception.  Although the position in the Discipline was maintained regarding homosexual practice and ordination, and several other good pieces of legislation made it through, accountability legislation did not prevail.  Disappointment has been expressed that none of the petitions submitted which pertained to the Women’s Division passed.  Particularly disheartening was the continued restriction of official women’s ministries to United Methodist Women, not allowing for official recognition of other viable women’s ministry programs.  In the face of UMW membership loss and the failure to attract younger women, this is perplexing.  Compounding the disappointment was the passage of  legislation allowing for alternative/supplemental men’s ministries beyond United Methodist Men. 

The communication we receive about departure from the UMC, such as that below, is the most heartbreaking news we get here in our office. 

“This letter is being written to inform you that I have left the [United] Methodist Church….  Your renewal group was my saving anchor for many years…I am very sorry to leave you—you held my world together for a long time.” 

“I’m sorry to inform you that I no longer belong to the United Methodist Church.  We are now members of a Free Methodist Church.  It was a prayerful and difficult decision, but we know it was the right one for us.” 

“I have admired the direction and dedication you and the renewal effort has made to the work of United Methodist Women and the church and have been deeply involved in leadership at the local level.  Having been a Methodist all my life (with a great-grandfather circuit riding pastor) it has not been an easy decision to change my affiliation to another denomination....”  

Women’s Division Events/Statements: 

United Methodist women write to RENEW about conference or district events they have attended where presenters, often directors or staff of the Women’s Division, say things that cause them alarm because it so differs from their orthodox Christian beliefs.  Sometimes RENEW reports about events we cover as press, or attend as UMW members—at other times the news of statements made at meetings comes to us from the women of the church. 

One such event was reported to us by a conference UMW officer who was surprised to hear a Women’s Division staff person, teaching on interfaith issues, implying that all religions are equally valid and we should not evangelize.  During the question session she asked the staff presenter what part the Great Commission played in all this.  The staff person was very upset and stated she never expected a question like “this.”  She then asked the UMW officer , “Surely, you don’t think that there is only one way to God?”  The answer was, “That’s what the Bible says.”  To this the staff person responded, “Surely you don’t think everything in the Bible is right.”  To which the woman replied, “Yes, or else why bother to be here at all.”   

The participation of the Women’s Division as a co-sponsor of the “March for Women’s Lives” pro-choice march in Washington, DC in April generated a lot of response, as have other incredulous actions reported to RENEW: 

“I have talked to several women in my local unit and at the district level who do not agree with abortion and are appalled at the WD decision to host/promote [co-sponsor] the pro-choice march in April in DC.”   

“The current Women’s Division Pro-Abortion agenda is a perplexing issue.  I do not believe that the Women’s Division’s position reflects the views of the general UMW member, but more importantly ignores what is best for mothers and children.  We could be a very effective organization in supporting the needs of women and children, making abortion an unnecessary choice.  I was both shocked and angered to read on the UMW website that we had sent a 50-member delegation to the recent pro-abortion march in Washington.” 

“At this same conference, I was in the audience as the speaker (on prayer) said He/She when referring to God.  She did the same thing the following day.  This non-biblical gender swapping deeply disturbed me (and my UMW friends when I returned home).” 

Working for Reform 

General Conference 2004 brought rumblings of separation due to irreconcilable differences and it brought a statement of unity that was hastily contrived albeit endorsed by a large majority.  Still, it is a recognized fact that differing worldviews, disregard for the Discipline and attitudes toward the authority of Scripture among United Methodists have created tensions that tear at the fabric of our connectionalism.  It remains to be seen where God will take us during the next four years.  There are evangelicals who continue to work faithfully for renewal and accountability while they await God’s guidance for this denomination. 

Here are some of those faithful United Methodists, called to stay and work for change: 

“Thank you so much for ‘holding the fort’ for us!  Reaction to your recommendations to General Conference were shocking to say the least—but only serve to demonstrate the big job ahead of us….  We await further counsel as you are led in future actions.  ‘Be strong and very courageous,’ and, ‘Be of good cheer.’” 

“Last summer I was at National Seminar.  It was there in the Bible study that Dr. Gnanadason said that there are many other ‘Holy Texts” that we should consider.  I was so shocked I just sat there.  I was so ashamed that I did not say anything.  I promised God I would stand up for Him at every opportunity.  So, [at another meeting] at Montgomery, Alabama I could not be quiet.” 

“At a recent School of Mission at Blue Lake I heard a comment during the UMW Overview hour when reports were being given about local, regional, jurisdictional info for and about UMW.  Someone asked about RENEW (I had no idea what it was) and the leadership person speaking said ‘Oh, just forget about RENEW.’  This just peaked my interest as I am always interested when someone tells thinking, intelligent, godly women to just forget…anything!  Thus, I began investigating your website and here I am writing to you after speaking with some ladies in our UMW unit and letting them know I was going to do so.” 

“I believe I have to do what God wants and at this time I believe it is time to begin to stand up for my convictions.”  (--a district UMW officer) 

My sense following General Conference is that things will not continue with “business as usual.”  Many men and women within United Methodism have reached a place of decision—to leave, or to stand firm and seek far-reaching change.  Good News, and its women’s program arm, RENEW, have pledged in a recent press release to “begin to examine and explore the issues raised by the proposal for amicable separation and the resolution on unity during the 2004 General Conference.”  Good News will make this exploration a major emphasis of our renewal work during this current quadrennium, with the anticipation that the other renewal groups will join us in that process.  

Will you stand with us in this process?  Are you also called to “make public statements and take actions that raise the question of what unity means for our church amid the deeply held theological disagreements within it?”  We hope so.   

Your prayers, financial support and concrete actions at the local, district and conference levels are essential. Although not listed on the response card, we will send you a copy of the full Good News press release if you send back your card—hopefully with a generous financial contribution.   Thank you for being our partners as we launch new, important programs during the fall season.   

Sincerely in Christ, 

L. Faye Short
President