Pride can be a form of selfishness. But pride can also be a good thing (eg. "I take pride in doing a good job.")
As for myself, I am proud of many things: my country, my family, the educational institutions I have attended etc. None of them are perfect and I recognize that, but still I am proud of them.
Too, I am proud to be a United Methodist - even though I make no claim that our denomination is any more perfect than my country, my family, or the educational institutions I have attended.
Despite my apparent youthfulness, I have been participating in Methodist churches for at least 63 years: 15 from childhood to high school graduation; 8 during higher education, 23 as an active adult participant, and 17 as a pastor.
Those 63 years have been spread among 15 churches: 9 as a layperson and 6 as clergy.
I have been married in Methodist churches (twice), had my three children baptized in Methodist churches, and spent time at Methodist church camps (three). My theological education was at a United Methodist seminary. I took my membership vows at age 12 and have taken them seriously since then.
All this both confirms and contributes to what I said earlier: even with its imperfections, I am proud to be a United Methodist.
I am proud because our denomination is less doctrinaire than most, being unafraid of discussion and disagreement, not only in terms of theology and worship styles, but also the more mundane aspects of being a church (stewardship approaches, colors to paint the rooms, where to store this and that, etc.)
This, of course, is inconvenient. Methodists had serious disagreements over slavery in the first half of the 19th century and actually split in two for close to 100 years because of it. Methodists had serious disagreements over the ordination of women in mid 20th century. And, as we know. Methodists had and still have serious disagreements over the issue of homosexuality in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. But we talk about them (and hopefully listen to others talk about them) and pray about them, and we try to discern what it is that God says about them.
This permission to disagree is reflected in our membership vows, which, instead of requiring us to promise to obey the denomination's directions, asks us to promise to do all we can to strengthen the ministries of the UMC. That at times means to criticize, correct, and disagree.
It is reflected too in our hearts and doors being open to all people, regardless of education, social class, or economic wealth. We do not distinguish between people of different ethnic backgrounds, different genders, or different ages. Our open door policy may increase the possibility of disagreements, but even more likely, it increases the chance that our faith will be enriched by those differences.
Of course, our openness to differing opinions is not the only reason I am proud to be a United Methodist.
I am proud of the denomination's ministries such as Africa University and UMCOR. The former educates prospective leaders throughout Africa. The latter is one of the finest relief agencies in the world. These ministries remind us that working together we can do so much more than working alone.
I am also proud to be a United Methodist because, unlike non-denominational churches, we have a structure that requires accountability. I admit that some of the structure can be irritating. For example, I can assure you that if I was in charge, the number of forms pastors and churches fill out would be significantly reduced.
I admit too, that structure can make changing a slower process. But it also makes it more difficult to drift away into selfishness and self centeredness. Because of our structure we are not apt to unwittingly run off the cliff like the cartoon Roadrunner. This restraint works because our embracing discussion and disagreements assures that we will changes in a responsible, well thought out manner.
Five years ago, when I arrived to serve with you, our congregation was hurting. I believe that those wounds have now healed and are not merely scabbed over. That means that we are at a point where we must give thought and energy to moving forward as a multi generational congregation serving and sharing Christ in an ever changing world.
How we will choose to do this is, as of now, unknown. What we do know is that there will be many discussions and probably some disagreements along the way.
Isn't it good to know that as we look ahead, we do so in a denomination that has a tradition of embracing discussions and disagreements as enriching, rather than rejecting them as damaging?
I think so.
Jim