When Your Denomination Leaves You Behind

Today I had the sad duty of writing to the head office of the denomination that I grew up in and was ordained with, and officially surrendering my ministerial credentials. This was a decision that I have struggled with for a few years now. The issue came to a head this week, when I received my yearly annual credentialed minister's report form to fill out, along with minister's covenant that I would be required to sign. Amoung the things that the covenant asked for was an affirmation of my agreement with the doctrines and practices of the denomination.

This is the crux of the issue. When I originally received my ministerial credentials over twenty years ago, my denomination held to certain practices and doctrinal beliefs that they have since modified and changed. Perhaps not many but a couple have been rather significant and ones which I disagree with rather strenuously. My positions on these issues were clear in my original doctrinal questionnaire that I was required to defend when I was first credentialed by the denomination. Since my convictions on these issues were synonymous those of the denomination at the time, I was credentialed. Twenty years later, I still hold to these positions. However, these very positions which once were requirements for my ordination are now impediments to my continuing to be ordained. Isn't that ironic? In many ways, I do not feel that I left the denomination as much as that the denomination has left me.

This decision causes my wife and I a great deal of sadness, especially as my wife's family was one of the founding families of the denomination historically. But we both agree that our consciences and convictions cannot be held captive to decisions made by voting delegates who frequently are not especially well informed or even qualified to decide such weighty issues. I have also attended enough of these conventions to know that the push to maintain unity is often stronger then the need and opportunity for honest, fair, and vigorous theological debate.

I will not identify the denomination. Nor will I identify the theological issues that led to my decision. VOMC is a non-denominational mission and it would be inappropriate for me to air these grievances in this forum. Nevertheless, this is to affirm that even though I am the CEO of a non-denominational mission, this does not mean that I do not have strong personal convictions. I refuse, however, to let theological differences influence whom VOMC serves or works with. However, as an individual, I need to be true to my own convictions by refusing to sign covenants that I cannot, in good conscience, affirm. We are all called to this, even (maybe especially) when it may cost something. And such decisions should also be made carefully, prayerfully and with sorrow, not with clenched fists, fiery eyes and harsh words.