UPDATE: NCYM Divorce Proposal – More Documents, More Questions
Members of the “Gang of 9” pastors who drafted a “divorce” proposal for North Carolina YM have made available more documents from their sessions. These are below, along with some initial questions that remain unanswered.
Some members of the group assert that they attempted to be open about this process, and the documents below are offered in evidence. But the extent of these statements’ actual circulation is very much in doubt, and the character of the process feels increasingly like something between an “in-group” and a downright clandestine affair.
Further, the operational sections of their proposal (points 2 & 3 in the May 9 proposal) are very vague, and interviews with participants have not yet yielded any clarity. Some questions about them:
1. How would this division happen?
2. What about meetings which did not want to join a split?
This lack of clarity is important and troubling. Reference was evidently made in the discussions to the recent division in Indiana YM as a model.
However, as reported in detail in the journal Quaker Theology, (consult Issues #21, #22, #23 & #24, here) what happened in Indiana was no less than a dressed-up purge, in which meetings were involuntarily forced to choose to be either “sheep” or “goats,” and objections by numerous meetings to this compulsory division were firmly and arbitrarily overruled by the group in control of the YM.
Another question:
3. Why does this process demand a total institutional mandate? Dissatisfied meetings are free to withdraw from NCYM now, as more than a dozen have, while keeping their property, buildings, and bank accounts. This option is as available to progressive ones as to the most evangelical. And meetings which leave are free to associate with whomever they are led. Why is this liberty irrelevant to this discussion? Why would some extended institutional dismantling be better?
4. Does this process come down, in the end, to any more than money, and control of the camp?
NCYM has a substantial endowment; as it shrinks, it seems clear that some eyes are being drawn steadily to it.
And Quaker Lake Camp is perhaps the “apple of the eye,” for the YM, built over many years by the sweat and funds of hundreds (thousands?) of it members. A legitimate question is how to turn it into some “neutral ground”; spun off into autonomy that keeps it open to all comers. The May 9 proposal hints at this, but again, is quite vague.
The Gang of 9 may think they have reached some mutual understanding; and perhaps it is so among their own in-group (of seven; but let us not forget that two strongly dissented, making a hash of Quaker notions of “unity/consensus’ but let that rest for now).
I wonder if their process was as useful as they think. On that, it seems to me the jury is still out.
PS. The NCYM office formally refused comment on any of this.
Documents:
Undated letter (likely early April)
Dear Friends of North Carolina Yearly Meeting,
Recently a few pastors felt a leading to come together and have a conversation about the direction and future of our beloved Yearly Meeting. We recognize that Friends are exhausted and much energy has been expended. We also know that there has been much pain throughout this whole journey. For that reason, we felt it was important to come together and seek discernment as to a way forward.To that end, a group of pastors have agreed to come together on Thursday, April 14th, at Quaker Lake and have a conversation that hopefully will lead to clarity and way forward. These pastors include: Scott Wagoner, Margaret Webb, Deborah Suess, Terry Venable, David Hobson, Mike Wall, Eric Morrison, and Mike Butler. We have sought to represent the diversity of our Yearly Meeting and our hope is to have a loving and productive conversation about our future. We do not intend to try and convince one another of who is right and who is wrong. That has felt to be a dead end road and we want to move beyond that point. We have intentionally kept this initial group small in order to facilitate the dialogue. We certainly hope it will lead to further conversations that involve more folks.We have shared our intentions with our Interim Superintendent, Don Farlow. Along with Don Farlow, we have also invited Brent McKinney, Hugh Spaulding, Judy Ritter, and Michael Fulp, Sr. to be in attendance as a listening and prayerful presence. We hope that Friends will view this as a sincere attempt to move our Yearly Meeting forward in a positive manner and not as an attempt to undermine any work that has been accomplished up to now.Most of all, we ask for your prayers as this group gathers. We ask that you pray for wisdom, insight, and clarity as well as the willingness to be present to one another and listen deeply. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Scott Wagoner, Deborah Suess, Margaret Webb, or Terry Venable.In Christ’s Peace,(Listing of Pastors)
Letter after their first session. (Addressed to “pastors”; unclear to whom it was actually sent.)
To: NCYM PastorsRe: April 14 Gathering at Quaker Lake / Follow-up LetterSeeking a Way Forward in NCYMAs mentioned in a recent letter to NC Yearly Meeting Pastors, a small group of pastors representing the diversity of NCYM came together for a frank conversation about the direction and future of our Yearly Meeting in light of the Yearly Meeting body’s inability to move toward an agreeable resolution to our recent conflict, and to discern a way forward. The pastors in attendance were Mike Butler, David Hobson, Frank Massey, Eric Morrison, Deborah Suess, Terry Venable, Scott Wagoner, Mike Wall, and Margaret Webb. In addition to the pastors, Don Farlow, Interim Superintendent; Mike Fulp, Sr., Presiding Clerk; Brent McKinney, Clerk of Executive Committee; Hugh Spaulding, Clerk of Ministry & Counsel; and Judy Ritter, Clerk of the Task Group, were also in attendance to observe and provide a prayerful presence.The group discussed several things that unite us and bring us together as Christians and Quakers. Among the things acknowledged included 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, and our shared endowments which have been built from the faithful stewardship of so many members of North Carolina Yearly Meeting.While we can celebrate much that unites us, we were also able to name the issues that divide us. These places of division include the authority of Scripture, how one understands the atonement of Christ and salvation, same gender marriage, and the inability to form a united corporate identity. We recognize that the gulf is wide, and that for most of the individuals and congregations in our Yearly Meeting, these points of conflict and division are impenetrable as well as non-negotiable.After a time of silence, prayer, and discussion, the group began to ask some challenging questions: Can we all stay together in loving Christian fellowship? Do we have enough common ground and unity of purpose to continue to be part of the same Yearly Meeting? If so, how? If not, how can we proceed and move forward in a way that all meetings feel honored and valued? The conversation was difficult at times, but always in a spirit of love and good will toward one another, and always with the ultimate goal of discerning the Spirit of Christ for all of North Carolina Yearly Meeting.After a lengthy period of conversation and dialogue, we came to the realization that the differences are great and that the only way forward that seemed to bring any degree of resolution would require a mutually agreed upon separation//reorganization that seeks to value and respect the other. This reorganization would allow for greater unity of purpose and mission and would allow all of our congregations to move forward in doing the work of Christ as they feel led. While most of the pastors discerned this as the most plausible way forward, pastoral minister, David Hobson, still did not feel that separation was the only way and that we need to keep trying to find ways to stay together.We also believe, hope, and pray that there are ways in which we can work together, and remain connected on some levels. We are hopeful that we can stay connected through those things that do unite us, and set at liberty for each group those things that divide us. It may be possible to stay together in relation to those things that bring us all vitality, energy, and life, like, Quaker Lake, Friends Disaster Service, Quaker Men, USFW, to mention a few.It needs to be noted that this group has no authority. It has not been nominated or asked by North Carolina Yearly Meeting to accomplish any specific task. We gathered only as individual pastors that love our Yearly Meeting, and are concerned about our current situation. These same folks do plan a follow-up meeting to discern what next steps, if any, can be suggested to the Yearly Meeting. We share these letters only as a way of providing full disclosure and transparency. We also know that for our conversations to become a reality, much work will need to be accomplished that will take time and effort. But even more, it will require prayer. Please pray with us that God will show us the right path and the way forward.In Christ’s Peace,Scott WagonerTerry Venable
[Previously posted]:
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
I’m not sure the purpose or function of the Yearly Meeting any more, but it does not appear to be fulfilled or fulfilling. From my perspective, the Yearly Meeting long ago became a Minister’s Association instead of a Friends resource and spiritual center. For years it has been controlled and dominated by opinionated, judgmental and intolerant self-anointed people of questionable understanding of Quaker process and practices who keep everyone stirred up, divided, angry and worn-out. Most of us want the Yearly Meeting to be uniting, engaging and advance spiritual development among Friends. Therefore, I believe members of the Yearly Meeting would be well served if hired ministers were removed from all Yearly Meeting committees, boards, and leadership positions and replaced with everyday Friends who are viewed in Quaker practice as ministers.
Thanks for the comment!