A Global Church Divided?
The Atlantic ran an article on the challenge of being a global church. In an interview with CGCM Director, Dana Robert, the magazine explored the complexity of holding together a diverse body with an essentially democratic polity. Currently, the United Methodist Church is struggling with the question of whether gay and lesbian people can be ordained in the church, and whether or not pastors can marry same-sex couples. The questions threaten to divide the church. Yet, Robert saw the current debate as hopeful: “You don’t see Catholic bishops debating these issues with the laity. Their position is set. You don’t see fundamentalists debating this issue with the laity. Their position is set.” But for Methodists, if “you believe in the unity of the church … struggle is part of the process.”