Common practices at the time of the denomination’s founding were inherently exclusive, demeaning, and
class-based. Modern variations of these practices continue to facilitate separation reflected by those who
are inside and outside, privileged and underprivileged, elite and common. They potentially compromise
obedience to Christ first and result in bondage — the opposite of freedom. They often hide that which
should be in the light or leave in darkness that which should have access to the light. They divide and
separate.
The Shift in Practices of Secrecy
Though the types of secret societies functioning at the time of our founding are less prevalent today, the
church must remain committed to fair treatment and access. Cliques, clubs, and exclusive communication
continue to compromise love for and loyalty to Christ and openness to truth. The means of meeting,
collecting, and distributing information may keep some people outside of important conversations, prayer,
and unifying presence, thereby causing marginalization.
Divisiveness Caused by Unholy Secrecy
Secrets by nature conceal and restrict information. Cliques leverage communication efforts that withhold
information from certain groups of people and cause real harm on an equal level with restrictive and
ritualistic secret societies. Studies in psychology suggest that secrecy hurts one’s physical and emotional
health (fmchr.ch/psychologyt) and is most always maintained through deception. Secrets create relational
schisms, seek to control narratives, and threaten the higher obligations of honesty and integrity.
Organizations that keep secrets from some members display relational illness. While some secrecy may be
defined as holy confidentiality, such confidences protect, whereas unholy secrecy destroys.
Jesus was not silent about the problems of exclusivity, making conflicting vows, and maintaining secrecy.
He labeled secrecy as part of the hypocrisy or “yeast of the Pharisees” (Luke 12:1–3). He pronounced that
concealed things would be exposed. God reveals. It is not His desire to mask, distort, or hide truth and
reality.
God’s Light Reveals All Things
“Light” is the word mentioned most in the Bible to highlight God’s commitment to revelation and truth.
Jesus came full of light, life, and truth (John 1:4–9). The Bible mentions light not only in reference to Jesus
and God’s glorious presence and revelation but also in reference to the condition of the mind and soul
of those who come to Him. Jesus and angels appeared in light, and they brought light and revelation to
the people to whom they appeared. God called forth light in the creation (Genesis 1:3) before He created
other life. Jesus’ appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:29), in Revelation (Revelation 1:13–
15), and to Saul (Acts 9:3; 22:6; 26:13) are indescribably radiant.
Believers walk in light as God is in it (1 John 1:5–7). We hold light up, exposing truth and good news for
the world to see. We are called the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). God is light, and those who live in
Him possess it. Light abounds in Scripture.
Whether in the creation or with our Lord and His people, light represents exposure and elimination of
spiritual darkness. Adam and Eve hid from God, and hiding has been standard form for their descendants
throughout history. Humankind has been hiding, masking, and covering sin and evil since the beginning of
humanity. Darkness represents attempts to conceal sin and evil. Life, forgiveness, and love are so closely
pg. 16 — lightandlifemagazine.com
Above Board A Position Paper of the Free Methodist Church - USA
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/lightandlifemagazine.com