Statement of the Administrative Committee
Women’s Division, General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church

At the first official meeting since the Re-Imagining Conference, the Administrative Committee of the Women’s Division, composed of officers and staff cabinet, issued the following statement.

The Women’s Division is actively engaged in fulfilling the mission of the Church and proclaiming Christ in word and deed. Rooted in the evangelical fervor of the late 19^th century, the Division initiated institutional ministries with women, children and youth, and continues to work with world and national mission agencies. In its earliest work as a missionary society, the Division joined cooperative efforts with other denominations and councils of churches. As the official policy making body for United Methodist Women, the Division has for 125 years been an advocate for the needs of women, children and youth without apology and without peer!

In recent months there has been tension within the United Methodist family over attendance at and the content of the ecumenical Re-Imagining Conference held in Minneapolis November 4-7, 1993. This regional event sponsored by local and state councils of churches was planned as a Mid-Decade observance of the "Ecumenical Decade: Churches in Solidarity With Women." Unofficial groups and news sources have mistakenly placed the attendance of 36 Women’s Division directors, 9 staff, and 11 conference vice-presidents at the center of a debate on theological issues and ecumenical relationships which actually belongs to the entire United Methodist Church.

Ignoring that the determination of theological doctrine and ecumenical relationships is vested with the General Conference, these groups have launched a series of attacks concentrating on:

The assault has accused the Women’s Division of supporting heretical theology, of theological compromise, and betrayal of trust.

Correspondence to the Women’s Division, both as inquiry and comment, has differed on the appropriateness of attending the Re-Imagining Conference and on its content. Some have expressed pain and confusion, some have sought additional information about the issues. Others, including members of United Methodist Women, bishops, theologians, clergy, and other lay persons have indicated support of the Women’s Division. There are those who have asked the Women’s Division to go on the "attack" in response to those who question its actions. There are those who have asked the Women’s Division to be silent and wait for the issues to go away. There are those who have asked the Division to forgo a principled response and simply say it was wrong, even if it were not, just to silence the controversy. None of these responses is faithful to the Purposes of United Methodist Women and the Women’s Division.

Attacks within the church family rarely serve the denomination well. They tend to bring out the ugliest side of the human experience and often foster division within the body of Christ. Silence is also inappropriate. Christians are persons who witness to the good news of hope, salvation, and grace. Courage, not fear; principle, not political correctness; truth, not disinformation are the basis for a faithful response. This response of the Women’s Division is based on caring for all God’s people and United Methodist Women in particular; commitment to the mission of the church, with special focus on women, children, and youth; and competent decision making in agreement with Scripture, Doctrine, and Disciplinary mandates. This is a response of faith made especially to our constituency but available to the entire church.

The Division believes in and worships a living God incarnate in Jesus Christ. This is evident again and again at it conducts a strong program of spiritual growth activities and development of worship resources.

In regard to Re-Imagining some have asked:

Is using imagery to learn about God heretical?

The Purpose of United Methodist Women is "to know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ..." This aim is fulfilled in concert with the theological mandate of the United Methodist Church found in "Our Theological Task" in the Book of Discipline.

Book of Discipline, ¶ 68. p. 83

Scripture, especially the Gospels, teaches about the multi-faceted nature of God. Each analogy, each image, is a gateway to new understanding. The Gospel according to John is rich with images illumining the nature of God. Images such as vine, light, body, and door were used by Jesus as He taught. Each image provided new possibilities of His power to bring about salvation and right living. It is clear that the use of imagery is not new. What was new at the Re-Imagining Conference, and for some very disturbing, was the perception that Sophia, the Greek word for wisdom, was being used in worship as a substitute for God, rather than as an image or attribute of God. Some call this goddess worship; others do not. In any case, the Women’s Division has not engaged in goddess worship and will not do so. The Women’s Division believes in the Triune God incarnate in Jesus Christ.

The Women’s Division is faithful to the Social Principles of the church. In the Wesleyan tradition that faithfulness has meant education. Human sexuality, including homosexuality, has been studied and debated in the United Methodist Church for two decades. The Discipline, including the Social Principles, articulates the policy and provides guidance on these issues. Faithful to the church, the Women’s Division has supported no stance in opposition to the church’s stated position on homosexuality. In various educational settings, interest groups, and its work, the Division has sought to interpret these Social Principles.

United Methodist Women model an exemplary standard of second mile giving within the denomination. As members of local congregations, United Methodist Women uphold the United Methodist Church in prayer, presence, gifts, and service. Going the second mile, United Methodist Women provide over $20 million annually for mission projects and programs administered through the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). A gift to the whole church, the undesignated giving of United Methodist Women provides 28.5% of the GBGM budget and exceeds the dollars received from the entire denomination through World Service benevolent giving. Additionally, several millions are received through United Methodist Women channels of giving designated for specific projects. The commitment of United Methodist Women to mission is unparalleled, and the Women’s Division takes very seriously the fiscal responsibilities entrusted to it by United Methodist Women.

In regard to the Re-Imagining Conference some have asked:

Was it appropriate to spend money to go to this or any other ecumenical conference?

Attendance at this one time event must be seen in the context of the Division’s history and purpose. It must be remembered that:

The Re-Imagining Conference’s stated goals were "to provide an opportunity for women to listen, to speak,...to share stores....". It was to be a forum for women theologians, educators, ethicists, and others from around the world to explore the Christian faith and examine emerging as well as existing theological precepts regarding women. The meeting was not a training workshop for replication by the Division, nor was it a legislative event. It was an opportunity for personal awareness and sharing among those of different beliefs and traditions. It was in this context of education, awareness, and sharing that many Women’s Division directors and staff chose to attend. Membership in ecumenical groups and attendance at ecumenical events does not indicate an uncritical acceptance of agenda or positions. Importantly, attendance at this event should not be the sole measure of the worthiness of participation in future ecumenical events.

Stewardship and accountability are of primary importance to the Women’s Division. They are fundamental to trust. All funds of the Division are expended and reported according to long-established policy and procedures. Directors vote on expenditure of funds and division staff have no authority to expend funds except as voted. The appropriations budget is printed in Response and communicated widely throughout the organization.

The Women’s Division is faithful to the trust given it by United Methodist Women, the church and those whom it serves. We call upon all local churches to engage in a study of our connectional system; our doctrinal statements, including "Our Theological Task" in the Book of Discipline; and our rich theological and historical heritage. In such a study we pray for openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit to bring insight and renewed commitment.

The Women’s Division will continue its commitment to ministries with women, children, and youth. The Purposes of United Methodist Women and the Women’s Division attest to our belief and participation in God’s mission as expressed and experienced through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Mission continues to mean that persons can be healed and saved, and can become witnesses to the power of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

As we move through this Lenten season toward the joy of Easter, we are reminded of the essence and power of the resurrected Christ. Christ, who brings us together, makes love, hope, joy, and grace living realities not mere words. Reconciled in Christ, we can overcome despair. Trusting that the Holy Spirit will grant us wisdom to continue our journey with the whole people of God, the Women’s Division will remain faithful to the heritage from our foremothers, the Discipline of The United Methodist Church, and most importantly, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Administrative Committee, Women’s Division - March 17, 1994

Carolyn E. Johnson
Joyce D. Sohl
Inelle C. Bagwell
Barbara Campbell
Nancy L. Cuckler
Connie Takamine
Nancy L. Fowlkes
Barbara Weaver
Twick C. Morrison
Maxine West
Ruth Ann Wilson