California-Nevada evangelicals threaten to withhold support
6/5/1998 by United Methodist News Service Expressing disappointment that their request for "separation" has been rejected, evangelical leaders are threatening to withhold money and support for activities and programs of the California-Nevada Annual (regional) Conference of the United Methodist Church.
In a closed meeting with church leaders in Sacramento May 20, representatives of the Evangelical Renewal Fellowship (ERF) asked for help in creating a separate organizational entity for evangelicals. The next day, Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, along with his seven district superintendents and six conference staff members, issued a statement rejecting the proposal.
"Separation has never been required, nor is it now in order to engage in the varied ministries that different local churches seek to fulfill," they said.
Five members of the ERF executive committee issued an open letter to the conference leaders June 3, expressing disappointment and reissuing a request for a separate organizational entity. Rejection of their proposal, they said, goes against the conference's celebration of diversity.
"The leadership of this annual conference seems to honor every sort of theological diversity except traditional Wesleyan theology," they said.
"An evangelical conference would curb the acrimony of the ordination process, provide evangelical churches with the sort of pastors they want, and provide healthy competition between the new conference and the denominational 'regulars', " they said. "Instead of further exacerbating the conflict between liberals and conservatives, this would provide a 'win-win' solution."
Unless offered a "more creative response," the evangelicals are threatening to withdraw from conference activities and programs and withhold apportionments, the money requested for mission and ministry in the region and around the world.
The letter's signers include the Rev. Kevin Clancy, ERF president, who has announced plans to withdraw from the denomination and start an independent congregation in Oakdale, Calif., where he has been serving the Community United Methodist Church. Other signers are: John Christie, Ron Greilich, John Motz and Harry Wood.
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