Breaking: Split Plan for NC Quakers Drawn Up By “Gang of 9” Pastors
(Developing . . . See Update link below)
Meeting secretly since early April, a self-appointed group of nine pastors in North Carolina Yearly Meeting (FUM) has been negotiating a proposal to break up the YM, and sent an approved draft to the NCYM Executive Committee early last month.
The group reportedly regarded itself as representative of three “wings” of NCYM, the liberal meetings, “centrists,” and evangelical. Yearly Meeting officials and staff were also present at the meetings.
The full text of the proposal is below. Note that it was signed only by seven of the group; two participants, Frank Massey of Jamestown Meeting, and David Hobson, of Rocky River, strongly objected to the plan and “stood aside” from its approval.
A participant in the sessions stated that for the most part they proceeded amicably, but with differences clearly drawn. It was also said that letters were sent to pastors in other meetings about the sessions; but how widely these notices actually circulated is in question.
Unconfirmed reports are that the Executive Committee has since developed an alternative to this proposal. It seems very likely that some kind of separation plan will be surfaced at the Representative Body session tomorrow, June 4.
I am following up on this . . . .
NOTE: An update on this post is here.
Proposal to NCYM Executive Committee
Monday, May 9th, 2016
On April 14th, 2016 and again on May 4th, 2016, a small group of concerned pastors, that represent the diversity of NCYM, chose to come together for a frank conversation about the direction and future of our Yearly Meeting, seeking to discern a way forward that could bring to a conclusion the recent conflict that has dominated North Carolina Yearly Meeting. In those meetings, we recognized and celebrated those things which unite us and bring us life. Among the things highlighted include relationships that have been cultivated over many years, works of service and mission such as Friends Disaster Service, Mowa Choctaw, and other service/mission opportunities, Quaker Lake Camp and the decades of life changing ministry that has taken place there, and our shared endowments which have been built from the faithful stewardship of so many members of North Carolina Yearly Meeting.In the context of those discussions, we also recognized that there are theological differences which divide us. And those theological understandings are fundamental to each person and meeting living out their faith with integrity. As part of our conversation and process of discernment, it became clear to most of the group that some form of separation or restructuring of NCYM is not only necessary but inevitable. (It should be noted that two of the original nine pastors were not in unity with this conclusion, and are hopeful and prayerful that NCYM could remain together fully.) [Parenthesis in original.]
Therefore we as a group of concerned pastors/Friends make the following proposal to the NCYM Executive Committee for your consideration:
1. That NCYM divide into two groups around the different understandings of the role of Faith & Practice and Scripture. The goal should be for the long term sustainability of both groups, and the hope that each group would be free to live out their faith and more fully engage in ministry that is life giving to each group.
2. That a transition team be named to oversee this process, make sure all groups and meetings are appropriately represented and respected, examine any legal issues, and bring recommendations about specifics of the plan to NCYM Representative Body and Yearly Meeting Sessions. The transition team should include Yearly Meeting leadership, and other representative members. Our group would like to be involved in the process of transition, and the following individuals have expressed a willingness to serve in such a capacity: Mike Butler, Deborah Suess, Terry Venable, Scott Wagoner, and Mike Wall.
3. On a temporary basis, both groups would remain as members of NCYM, as a legal and fiduciary entity. As such, current levels of support would remain for Quaker Lake and the Pastor’s Retirement Fund, with provisions to establish a timeline and plan for Quaker Lake’s autonomy and long-term sustainability, and to determine a plan for the pension fund and other NCYM endowments. And we are prayerful that we can continue to work together, and continue to find life and vitality in those that have always united us, as we have worked and ministered as the body of Christ.Our group does not make this recommendation lightly. We all love and support North Carolina Yearly Meeting, and we all also love and support the meetings we serve. The statement was made in our discussions that “we are going to separate in love or we are going to separate in anger.” We choose love.
Thank you for your willingness to consider this proposal. We believe and pray that it is Spirit-led, and comes only after a process of discernment. We offer it to you for further discernment. Much work is still to be done. And much work is still to be done by the meetings of NCYM. Blessings to you all in the task and work that you have undertaken for our Yearly Meeting.
In the Love of Jesus Christ,
Mike Butler, Eric Morrison, Deborah Suess, Terry Venable, Scott Wagoner, Mike Wall, and Margaret Webb
So “theological understandings are fundamental” to Friends? Whatever happened to skepticism about “notions”? Fundamentalists of all kinds seem convinced that thinking right gets them something. People who don’t think right shouldn’t get whatever they are getting. If the wrong people do get it, that devalues what the right people get and what they did to get it. Probably the original recorders of the stories of the prodigal son and of the workers who came to the field late but still got paid were not imagining organizational splits like this, but those parables do come to my mind.
Great to hear from thee, Dee!
As someone who’s been merely an observer outside the NC FUM storm, it feels important to say that very little about this possible schism appears to be “Spirit-led”. Nor does it reflect any of what I understand to be, as was written at the proposal’s close, the “Love of Jesus Christ.” Rather, the proposal evokes the image of a small boat floundering in the cross currents of human discussion and conversation, words that appear frequently. If discernment in this case means coming to conclusions by earnest discussion sprinkled with prayer, then Meeting is not yet concluded. Those who’ve reached earthly conclusions are denying themselves an opportunity for Divine guidance. This sentence was particularly striking to me: “Our group does not make this recommendation lightly. ” If the recommendation is heavy, the heaviness is likely due to emotions, not Divine guidance. Whenever I hear the Voice in my heart, the effect is a lightening that removes the heaviness of my mortal opinions. Those of us who do not feel the burden of NCYM’s current labors will continue to hold you all in the Light. Please forgive any arrogance that may show up in these comments which were made out of genuine concern.
Some quotes seem relevant in all this talk of schism, splitting, purging, and separation:
“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” – G. K. Chesterton
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?” – Matthew 5:44-47
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3