Listening Bears Fruit and Strengthens Connection
In 2018, 40 United Methodist leaders from around the world – 10 from Africa, the Philippines and Europe along with 30 from across the United States came together with the goal of listening to one another.
This world-wide gathering of United Methodist leaders with a support team of facilitators and translators gathered near Portland, Oregon for five days at Listening with Open Hearts: Building Bridges and Deepening Relationships. Participants engaged in focused conversations, worship and Bible study together to deepen the understanding and relationships with one another. It became a time, not only of sharing, but also deep intentional listening where participants engaged with one another in a world-wide conversation lifting issues and concerns related to various contexts, especially those facing The United Methodist Church outside of the United States.
Five years later, listening makes a difference. Since the event, long lasting impacts are becoming apparent:
Two participants were recently elected bishops: Bishop Israel “Ace” Painit in the Philippines and Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth in our Western Jurisdiction.
Six participants — four from three different Central Conferences and two from the U.S., went on to help form the Christmas Covenant Team and its ongoing work for regional equality in The United Methodist Church.
Three participants are significant leaders in the formation of United Methodist Africa Forum which will hold a gathering soon to discuss the unity of the church in Africa.
Bishop Painit recently wrote about the gathering, “It was a life-affirming conversation. Somehow, it was a deepening understanding of LGBT-related issues, including basic terms and concepts. It also helped me appreciate the beauty of how to keep unity in the church despite our diverse cultures, orientation, and perspectives. More importantly, it made me realize how to be a voice for them to people who can’t accept their plight in order to bring healing and connection recognizing that we are equal in the sight of God.”
Bishop Bridgeforth reflected on the event saying, “Every time I have gathered with siblings from beyond the U.S. church, I have gained greater appreciation for what is possible in a church that is not dominated by the U.S. political and theological ethos. However, doing the work to find balance and nuance that allows us to work equitably and without colonialism guiding us will be arduous. I believe it's worth the toil if it leads us to be more faithful in our global witness.”
The Listening with Open Hearts event is just one example of how relationship building and listening are key components of the fight to end colonialism and understand the complex differences in context for The United Methodist Church around the globe. The United Methodist Africa Forum, which will gather this April in South Africa, and the Christmas Covenant Team offering a central conference perspective on equitable regionalization are two examples of the lasting impact these efforts can have toward shaping the emergence of a “new” United Methodist Church.