The United Methodist Church, as we all are aware, is in the midst of a long and difficult struggle over deep and fundamental issues. On some matters, we can agree to disagree -- and agreeable in our disagreements, as has been stressed in the teaching this week.

But on the issue which this resolution addresses, I don't believe we can simply agree to disagree and let it go at that. This matter is about an issue of conscience that somehow must be acted upon.

The truth is we have now arrived at a situation in our connection in which local churches are all but required to pay for things which not only are of questionable benefit, but which, in some cases, are inconsistent with the Scriptures and the Discipline of the Church.

Many of us feel as if we're being forced to make a choice between two loyalties: our understanding of holiness and good stewardship, on the one hand, and certain of our denominational commitments on the other.

So we have sought for a way to resolve this matter of conscience, a way that would allow us to be obedient to our sense of God and loyal to our denomination. That is the purpose of this resolution, which we're asking you to send to General Conference for its consideration.

May I tell you about the practical impact of the current apportionment structure and requirement? In my local church, we have a growing number people who attend but will not join, because they cannot in good conscience, make the membership pledge to support the United Methodist Church with their gifts. These people are not contentious, they are not bitter, they are not angry. They simply have honest and legitimate questions about how certain monies are being spent on the denominational level.

Friends, I want to be able to look the brothers and sisters in church family in the eye and say: "You can be assured that the money you sow into this church will be spent for godly uses." This resolution, if passed by General Conference, will allow me to say that.

Let me make other point on then I'll sit down -- and I want to say this with all the gravity and seriousness that I can. My sense is that the United Methodist Church, at this point in its history, is like a pressure cooker turned up too high. I'm concerned that without action to relieve the pressure, something's going to blow up. The result will be many casualties. Many bones in the Body will fracture.

At Gateway, we believe this change in the Discipline will relieve at least some of the pressure, helping to preserve the Body, and even strengthen it, for the new millennium. So we offer this resolution, not just for our own local church family, but out of a heart for the future of this denomination.