The Wesleyan Covenant Association met in person and online April 30-May 1, continuing to plan for a new, traditionalist Methodist denomination and passing a resolution criticizing three United Methodist bishops for recent appointment-making decisions.
Many at the WCA’s fifth Global Gathering were clearly excited at the prospect of leaving the big tent of The United Methodist Church for a denomination they say will stress evangelism, scriptural authority, historic Methodist practices and a traditional understanding of marriage as between one man and one woman.
But the meeting, held at Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery, also had an air of frustration. COVID-19 has pushed back to 2022 the United Methodist General Conference at which a proposed separation will be considered.
“I get discouraged at times,” the Rev. Keith Boyette, WCA president, said during his May 1 address. “But I’ve learned God does amazing work while we’re waiting.” Read More
Image Credit: UM News
If the people shown in the photo are representative of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, what is remarkable is that are predominantly white and middle-aged and older. Absent are African Methodists who form the most conservative and largest segment of the UMC. The COVID-19 pandemic may explain their absence, but it does raise questions about the composition of the WCA and who the organization represents. The few young Methodists with whom I am acquainted reflect the views of their generation on LBGTQ issues. They are much more progressive than older Methodists. I would like to see a breakdown of the membership of the WCA by race, ethnicity, age, social-economic group, and other demographic factors compared with a breakdown of the demographics of progressive Methodists. Are LBGTQ issues the only driving factors behind the WCA's break with the UMC?
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