5 Ways Bethany UMC is All the MCC Wants to Be and More

By Bill Robbins

Recently, the Bethany UMC Lead Team has been spinning the narrative that the only way to keep Bethany together is through disaffiliation and the MCC, departing from its 47-year history and alienating members who have played active roles at Bethany for decades. 

But when you break down their points, you’ll discover that everything they say the MCC can be is exactly what Bethany has always been – minus gay marriage, gay clergy, and oversight and accountability. 

Let’s break these claims down. 

1.     Part of a Network of Churches 

MCC proponents argue Bethany would join a network of churches, leveraging their strengths and sharing their passion for spreading God’s love. However, the MCC is currently made of three member churches, while Bethany UMC shares a network of more than 30,000 United Methodist Churches in the United States. 

2.     Broad Inclusiveness 

The Lead Team continues to stress the importance of openness and acceptance. All are welcome, but not with the same rights. The MCC refuses to ordain gay clergy or allow gay marriages, with no foreseeable changes in the future. And if a church should perform a gay wedding, they would be asked to leave the MCC network. 

Meanwhile, the UMC it is working to remove harmful language from the Book of Discipline to allow for gay marriage and gay clergy. Churches and pastors who do not support this change will not be penalized by the UMC. 

3.     Local Ministry Outreach

Those who support a move to the MCC cite the ability to pursue their own local mission efforts, referencing some of  Bethany's past and present programs, including the Student Backpack Ministry, Feed My People, and Hill Country Community Ministries. As part of the UMC, Bethany can continue serving these needs in addition to global programs like UMCOR Disaster Response and Recovery and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. 

UMCOR recently provided support for victims of Hurricane Idalia and wildfires in Hawaii. The United Methodist Volunteers in Mission provides construction, education, agricultural, and health services to 59 countries. Neither of these services is available through the MCC. 

4.     A United Bethany

Would Bethany retain more members if we disaffiliated from the UMC and moved to the MCC? The Lead Team's numbers indicate no. According to the Lead Team’s congregational survey, staying with the UMC would result in a projected loss of 23 percent of members. A move to the MCC would result in a 38 percent loss, slightly behind a 41 percent projected loss if we moved to the GMC. The best way to keep Bethany intact is to stay with the UMC.

5.     Pastor Accountability 

Current and future pastors are accountable to a broad set of standards and requirements in the UMC. However, in the MCC, pastor accountability is confined to the individual church. If, for example, a senior pastor dictates hiring like-minded staff, Lead Teams, and an Ad Board, there would be virtually no accountability for their actions.  

When you get right down to it, everything the MCC says it wants to be is precisely what Bethany UMC is now, with two exceptions: pastor accountability and support for gay marriage and clergy. 

And there's no reason to tear apart Bethany's 47-year history over these two issues. 

Resources: 

Comparison Chart Link (pdf)