Unbound by Geography

In John Wesley's England, a parish was not just a congregation. It was a piece of land and the people who lived there. Each parish had defined geographical boundaries. Two parishes did not compete for the same parishioners. Likewise, each episcopal diocese was geographically defined. One bishop did not plant churches in another bishop's episcopal area.

It was in this context that John Wesley wrote his famous declaration, "I look upon all the world as my parish". Wesley denied that any priest or bishop held exclusive ecclesiastical authority within the geographical bounds of a parish or diocese. God's call and authority superseded any human boundaries. No one had the right to exclude Wesley or his movement from any territory.

The ecclesiastical situation is different now for United Methodists than it was for Wesley in England. The United Methodist Church is not a national church.  Congregations do not have the exclusive right to oversee all United Methodist ministries that take place in their communities. Two United Methodist churches can exist side by side in the same neighborhood. Members may drive by one or more United Methodist churches on Sunday to attend the United Methodist congregation of their choice. United Methodists choose their congregations based on the character of the church, its mission and  its vision.

Otherwise, though, United Methodism is currently bound by the same geographical structure as its predecessor. Annual conferences and jurisdictions are geographically structured. Each is granted the exclusive right to be the sole expression of United Methodism within its defined territory.

So, I wonder, if two United Methodist congregations with competing visions of doctrine, practice and mission can operate in the same community, why cannot higher-level judicatories do the same thing?

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