ABLC

In United Methodist ecclesiastical language, the term for people like me who serve in ministries other than the local church used to be Appointed Beyond the Local Church, or ABLC. For years, I was used to being referred to by that moniker. When I was asked to address the clergy session of my annual conference about what it means to be an ABLC, I told them, tongue-in-cheek, that I believed that most folks believed that ABLC stood for Another Brother Left the Church. There was uproarious laughter, and I knew that I had hit a nerve. I pleaded with them to refer to us as pastors, because we have never stopped serving out our callings as such. Imagine my disappointment when, upon reading minutes of that meeting, I discovered that the conference secretary stated "John Colatch gave an informative presentation on ABLC's."
I have been reading Dick Van Dyke's autobiography, My Lucky Life, In and Out of Show Business. I was surprised to read that he had been very active in his Presbyterian Church during the height of his fame in the 1960's. It was refreshing to read that someone remained a part of a faith community, even when he was part of a working culture that was far removed from any overt talk of religious life. He spoke of the time when his pastor left to serve another church, and he was part of a group of members suggesting that their all-white church extend an invitation to a local African-American congregation to share worship services and hospitality. Van Dyke recounts the opposition that arose to the suggestion and it was voted down. He states that he left his church, and organized religion at that point, and has never returned.
It is all too common in this country that, when people are disappointed if something goes wrong in the local church, they cut and run and disavow any connection with any church or organized religious body.
The biblical witness tells of prophets who disagreed strongly with their religious leaders and structures, and yet, they remained true to the faith and worship of their tradition, trying to create change from within. The American Christian Church has become so accommodating that, when leaders in the church do take a prophetic stand, the members flee, until they find another body that conforms with what they already believe. Or, they simply drop out and disparage all talk of religious and faith. I work in an academic community and know well the fashionable agnosticism that arises from such cases.
I was really disappointed that Dick Van Dyke left his church, because the church needed his prophetic spirit to go against the racism that was institutionalized. If only he had continued to work for justice within the faith community. He certainly has done do from outside, and he is to be admired for his commitment. Our young adults need mentors in their faith communities who can serve as examples of what it means to work for change from within. It is so easy to cut and run, and I see the results of this all of the time in students whose families decided against raising them in any faith tradition, even though the parents were raised in one. Another Brother/Sister Left the Church. And soon, there were none.