Methodist Synods - Act of God or Work of the Devil?

Over 25 years I’ve seen synods (our regional District gatherings) change from being extremely dull but important decision making bodies in which real Christian diversity was debated and expressed, to meetings with no real business to do and in which different opinions are almost suppressed. We now have a discipline of attending a meeting which is mainly social in character. Consequently synods no longer express our diversity but are more about creating a common culture in which we are all expected to develop similar tastes. I’ve never shared Methodism’s assumptions about what my social tastes should be (how many men of working age attend church socials willingly?). It saddens me that these social tastes do seem to get confused with fellowship. It feels like fellowship is being made into wanting to be together because we all like doing the same things, when really it’s about being together dealing with our differences.

Perversely the old dull debates did actually do that and the shared culture they fostered was one of a way of dealing with differences graciously. Having dismantled most of those structures (which did need change) I fear what we may be left with is not Methodism as a way of doing things which holds together a diverse Christian people (a genuine “discipline” worthy of our attendance), but Methodism as a particular set of Christian tastes into which we are enculturating one another.

Incidentally I was one of only a handful of people who voted against the creation of a London Methodist District. We used to have four London districts based on a sound mission principle uniting inner city, suburban and rural areas in each region whereas the new district is based on a supposed unity of identity for London (not on diversity).

Of course all this may blog may reveal is that I am very skilled at providing pseudo-theological justifications for being a grumpy old man who woudl rather go out and ride his motorbike on a sunny saturday than spend it in yet another church meeting