Our legal battles are turning us into an increasingly legalistic denomination. The Judicial Council is assuming a greater role as legalities need interpretation. Now we face questions in our conference as to whether or not 69 pastors can be tried together or separately. We run the danger of becoming pharisaical. Legalism does not deal well with homosexuality and sexual sin.
Little transformation happens.
The big tent solution has been suggested by Lyle Schaller and others. Schaller pointed out that our hierarchical appointive system was in conflict with our informal policy of pluralism. He suggested a variety of annual conferences, both geographical and based on special interests, to widen our tent. There is Scriptural justification for such a policy. For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.