From the Pastor’s Desk – June 2016

Dear Friends,

Once again the General Conference has pushed the ‘pause button’ on actions relating to issues of inclusion and homosexuality. The hope of many (on all sides of the issues) was that the General Conference would finally take a stand one way or the other on the Discipline paragraphs regarding human sexuality, especially as it impacts same-sex marriage and ordination of homosexuals — either to maintain or revise. Instead, with a plea to the Council of Bishops to “lead us”, the delegates voted 428 to 405 to accept the recommendation of the bishops to delay the debates and let a proposed commission be named to completely examine and possibly recommend revisions of every paragraph in the Book of Discipline related to human sexuality. This commission would represent the different regions of our denomination which span four continents and varied perspectives. (It should be noted that conferences with the largest increases in membership are the conferences in Africa, which steadfastly support the current wording and regulations of the Discipline.)

At any rate, there is the possibility for a ‘called General Conference’ perhaps in 2018 or 2019 to deal with any proposals that are finally offered by the commission.

A statement from the Council of Bishops asks that we all share “a deep commitment to the unity of the church in Christ our Lord” (Galatians 3.25-29), and that “within the church, we are called to work and pray for more Christ-like unity with each other rather than separation from one another. This is the prayer of Jesus in John 17.21-23.”

At the same time, on the one hand, there were conversations in the hallways about possible schism; and legislation was being offered to allow congregations to disaffiliate from the denomination with their property—a legislation being pushed by congregations which support the current teachings on homosexuality. On the other hand, there were discussions and pleas to the bishops that “our current Discipline contains language which is contradictory, unnecessarily hurtful and inadequate for the variety of local, regional and global contexts”.

There are worries among some bishops and delegates that this ‘time out’ might suggest a moratorium on church trials for those transgressing the Discipline, and that it would open the door for all sorts of other violations by, and complaints against, clergy. And there are three annual conference boards of ordained ministry which have already announced that they would not consider sexual orientation in determining a clergy candidate’s fitness for ministry. Some delegates fear or suspect that some bishops would use the commission and special General Conference as an excuse not to enforce the Discipline at this time. A motion was voted 490 to 308 to refer to the Judicial Council whether General Conference or annual conferences have the main authority to set ordination standards.

While delegates pray—and the bishops call all United Methodists to pray — that this commission will lead the denomination toward reconciliation and unity, the potential to resolve differences is hopeful but difficult. For now, nothing has changed.
(Sources: ADVOCATESC.ORG AND UMCOM.ORG)

Cordially,
Bruce