Looking for answers at Agee UMC

By the Rev. J. Brent Mustoe

I have read with great interest the recent articles and letters concerning Agee United Methodist Church near Poplar Bluff, Mo. Much of the information has been accurate. However, some of the information has been inaccurate. I would like to take this opportunity to share my experience with Agee UMC.

I have been Agee UMC's district superintendent for two years. I have worshipped with its members. I have been with the church's leadership on many occasions. Without exception, the members and leadership of the church have been hospitable and have always received me warmly and treated me with respect.

I have worked closely with Don Hellums, the pastor-parish committee chairperson, and with Kenny and Diane Clanahan, the youth sponsors. I consider these folks my friends, as we worked together at various times. Agee UMC has been involved in district and conference events and has always been faithful to its connectional responsibilities as United Methodists. I have found them to be good, decent people who love Christ and the church.

On April 10, I went to Agee to attend a meeting with members of the pastor-parish relations committee to discuss with them the possibilities of future pastoral leadership. Their pastor, the Rev. Ray Hartbarger, was retiring July 1, and we would need new pastoral leadership.

Earlier, they had asked me if they could go off the full-time multiple charge with Grace UMC in Poplar Bluff and become a part-time charge by themselves. They wanted to have their own part-time pastor rather than share a full-time pastor with another church. The bishop and the cabinet affirmed their request, so we were now looking for a part-time pastor to serve their church beginning July 1.

As we met, I shared various possibilities in light of Agee UMC's pastoral compensation. I had no one in mind, but I met with them for the purpose of listening to what they felt they needed. It was at this point that the committee shared with me that it had held a congregational meeting -- without the presence and knowledge of the pastor -- and had decided to leave the denomination.

I asked where they planned to worship. They told me they planned to worship at the current building. I explained the trust clause for all United Methodist churches. We had a long discussion concerning the trust clause, which has been established practice since before the Agee church came into the United Methodist Church. I also offered to arrange a meeting with Bishop Ann B. Sherer. They were adamant that they did not want to meet with Bishop Sherer.

They asked me what would be the worst possible scenario. I said the worst possible scenario, if they chose to leave the denomination, would be that I -- because of my position as a district superintendent -- would be forced to preserve the properties that are held in trust for the United Methodist Church and change the locks on the door of the church building.

As I told them then, according to the United Methodist Book of Discipline, all local church property is held in trust by the local church trustees for the benefit of the United Methodist Church. The statement by Bishop Sherer is the policy of all United Methodist churches. Paragraph 2501 of the United Methodist Book of Discipline says: "The United Methodist Church is organized as a connectional structure, and titles to all real and personal, tangible and intangible property held at general, jurisdictional, annual or district conference levels, or by a local church or charge ... shall be held in trust for the United Methodist Church and subject to the provisions of its Discipline." Paragraph 2503.1 of the United Methodist Book of Discipline says: "In trust, that said premises shall be used, kept, and maintained as a place of divine worship of the United Methodist ministry and members of the United Methodist Church; subject to the Discipline, usage, and ministerial appointments of said church as from time to time authorized and declared by the general conference and by the annual conference within whose bounds the said premises are situated."

We left that meeting disagreeing about the trust clause.

Unfortunately, that is what has transpired in the last few weeks. Changing the locks on the church was one of the saddest days of my life. It broke my heart. Cob Clanahan arrived on the scene as the locksmith was changing the locks. I want to personally thank him for his understanding attitude of my position. He was a gentleman in every way even in our disagreement.

I was not there to close the church. The Missouri East Conference intends to maintain a United Methodist presence in the community. In reading the history of the Agee UMC, which they submitted to be included in the book History of the United Methodist Churches in Missouri, it says, "The church was originally established in 1885 with 10 members under the name of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South." I changed the locks because the folks who held the church in trust for the United Methodist Church had decided to no longer do so. This is exactly where the UMC and the folks at Agee disagree, and it will be a matter for the courts to sort out.

This did not happen because the folks felt they could no longer pay the connectional responsibilities. Other than the pastor's compensation, there was no discussion on my part over money. It had nothing to do with dissatisfaction with the current pastor. Hartbarger did not have a heart attack, nor did the United Methodist Church dismiss him. Given the decision of the Agee folks to leave the denomination, I simply decided, in consultation with Bishop Sherer and the cabinet, not to send Hartbarger back to what might now be a difficult situation. The annual conference is paying him through June.

For whatever reason, some of the folks at Agee have decided they no longer want to be United Methodists. So we now find two groups of Christians disagreeing over an emotional issue. At no time in this process have I ever ceased to believe that my friends at Agee love Christ and the church. Again, they are good, decent people. I care deeply for them. They have always made me feel welcome every time I have been with them. There is no villain in this situation.

Our country has a process in place to deal with disagreements. We have advocates who plead our positions. I pray God will provide a way for us to bring this situation to a conclusion.

The Rev. J. Brent Mustoe is district superintendent for the Southeast District of the United Methodist Church.