A recent opinion piece by Michael McManus chose to portray the United Methodist Church from the divisive perspective of one advocacy group. I am disappointed that the newspaper I rely on for news of my local community would print an inflammatory article with the headline “The Not Very United Methodist Church,” written by a non-Methodist, non resident, “expert” without inviting input or response from local United Methodist leaders.

As a United Methodist Clergyperson who was a delegate to the 2012 General Conference that Mr. McManus references, I can contribute a more fact-based perspective. Yes, the United Methodist Church is engaged in a long and sometimes fractious process of discernment about the practice of homosexuality. It is similar to our 1960s struggle to come to terms with divorce in our communities. At that time United Methodist Pastors were not “appointable” to serve a church if they were divorced. One of the strengths of our tradition is that we engage the issues that matter in people’s lives through deep engagement with scripture, experience, Christian tradition, and human knowledge. That is not a quick process when millions of members are involved as our structure requires. We listen to each other as we listen for God’s guidance.

Yes, The United Methodist’s membership has decreased since 1968, in the United States. So has the membership of every major Christian group. So has the membership of most membership groups from bowling leagues to Veterans groups. The Southern Baptists showed declined in baptisms and membership this year.

United Methodism is growing internationally. This is similar to our first “growth spurt” when British founding groups reached a growth plateau but the still expanding population of the United Methodist church gained momentum. Church membership follows demographic trends. African churches are growing not because they are conservative, but because of the socio-economic context in which the gospel is being shared.

Yes, there are a number of strategies being floated to untie the United Methodist Church. None of them will come to be. No matter what conflicts media and talking heads choose to sensationalize, we are a people who find strength struggling with our diversity and theology together. That may be hard to imagine when the trend in our society is to choose sides. But it is who we are. Our General Conference, which meets every four years, is the only body that speaks with authority for the United Methodist Church. In 2012, as we sat at round tables, with brothers and sisters from every continent, the body was deepened by growing awareness of the challenges we face in our diverse settings. Some delegates return home to communities where their lives are under serious threat if they support same-gendered relationships. They may also face censure if they advocate for monogamy in polygymous societies.

Others of us serve communities where hearts break every time another young person commits suicide because they believe God cannot accept them as they are, and try as they may, they cannot change. And so we pray together, and look for ways that God’s grace may reach our communities and us. If you’re looking for a place that seeks to unify, not divide, you are welcome to join us.

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Rev. Dr. Karen L. Munson is pastor of Brusnwick United Methodist Church and chairperson of New England Annual Conference Order of Elders.