Faced with a potential denominational split put on hold by pandemic, many United Methodists feel stuck.

That has not stopped heated disputes over church life among United Methodists, especially on social media channels.

In her second public address as Council of Bishops president, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey encouraged church leaders to use this time of waiting to focus on the church’s outward mission — not on its internal turmoil.

“We must stop stirring the pots and creating our own chaos,” said Harvey, who also leads the Louisiana Conference. “We have the power within us, by the Holy Spirit, to speak truth, to act on the injustices in our world. We must speak the truth with love, and in love.”

Harvey spoke to United Methodists spread across four continents — bishops meeting by Zoom and the wider church watching on the bishops’ Facebook page. She spoke at the beginning of a weeklong meeting in which bishops will discuss the work the denomination is already doing to address injustice — starting with its anti-racism efforts.

Harvey used her address to speak to both fellow bishops and delegates elected to General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly. Read More