Human Sexuality Policies of The United Methodist Church An Introductory Conversation - Moultonborough United Methodist Church
Agenda • Time of Gathering & Centering • Information brief regarding Special General Conference in Feb 2019 • Relate my experience • Listen to experiences and concerns • Address Questions • No theological/scriptural debate tonight • No debate on the plans tonight • Recommendations & Plans for continued dialogue / follow-up
Scrip Scripture t re to P Ponder er I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me John 17:22-23 “…love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 God is love. 1 John 4:8
… to P … t Ponder er There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 1 John 4:18 Salvation is not “pie in the sky after you die by and by.” It is to come to have the very heart and mind of Christ. Tony Campolo & John Wesley
Come with a Heart at Peace vs. a Heart at War Everyone is a person (vs. an object) There is more than one side to every issue Called to love as Jesus loved Seek to be in relationship helping one another with life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2svZhZT6Pro
Agenda • Time of Gathering & Centering • Information brief regarding Special General Conference in Feb 2019 • Relate my experience • Listen to experiences and concerns • Address Questions • No theological/scriptural debate tonight • No debate on the plans tonight • Recommendations & Plans for continued dialogue / follow-up
Bac Backgr ground und • 1964 Council on Religion & the Homosexual – Council of Churches, congregations to have dialogue • 1967 Good News formed – Methodism back to “orthodox Wesleyanism” • 1968 The United Methodist Church - Methodist & EUB • united especially around issues of racism and women’s rights “United Methodism has struggled with a number of critical issues. It has created and refined theological and mission statements. It has discussed and acted on matters of social importance…” BoD 2012, ¶22
Background (cont.) • 1970 Special GC Session – social principles study commission • 1972 Worked on “Social Principles” at GC • Included statements on human sexuality, inc. homosexuality • Esp. in response to openly gay Pastor Leggett of SW Texas – “1972 Incompatibility Clause” • “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching…” ¶ 304.3 • “…sexual relationships are affirmed only within the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.”
Other Definitions & Restrictions • “…self-avowed, practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained ministers, or appointed to serve in the UMC.” ¶304.3 (Ministry of the Ordained) • “Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.” ¶341.6 (Unauthorized conduct by the ordained) • Judicial ramifications for those who do
Bac Backgr ground und – co cont nt. • 1975 UM Council on Youth Ministries to petition 1976 GC on bans • Calls for church-wide study of human sexuality • UM Gay Caucus formed at Wheadon UMC in Evanston, Ill • Became the Reconciling Congregation Project in 1980’s • Questioning and Call to change BoD comes up GC 1976 to present • 2016 GC Call for “A Way Forward” • Many protests on sexuality issues • Call for Commission to make recommendations for Special GC Feb 2019 • Asked for help from Council of Bishops ( otherwise just preside )
Three Primary Plans Traditional Multi-Branch Plan Plan One Church Plan bans “self-avowed and practicing” would simplify the general church gay clergy and the blessing of structure and provide “both space same-sex unions. It would also and connection between those parts enforce those bans swiftly and of the church currently in deep strictly. “…gives churches the room conflict,” they need to maximize the presence of a United Methodist witness in as many places in the world as possible,” + A “Simple Plan”
• Contends for one unified moral stance on issues Traditional • Maintains current stance on sexuality Plan • Continues to affirm LGBTQ persons welcome to attend worship, participate in programs, receive sacraments, become baptized members of UMC & local congregation • Advocates those who dissent to leave and form own self-governing body that could maintain connection through a Concordant Agreement • Increased accountability for upholding and enforcing the discipline • Requires bishops to certify compliance
Jurisdictional Central Conference Conference
• Replaces the 5 US Jurisdictional with 3 Connectional Multi-Branch Conferences Plan • Based on “affinity” – progressive, unity, traditional • Own: Bishop, BoD, BOOM, appt. system • Connect through agencies: Health Benefits, GCFA esp. Pensions, Missions esp. UMCOR • Local church choose affiliation • Continue to set wedding & building use policy • Clergy choose affiliation • Subject to acceptance by the Connection
• Recommended by COBishops • Removes restrictive language on marriage One Church • Removes restrictive language regarding Plan ordination • Removes restrictions on conducting same- gender marriages • Removes restrictions on use of facilities for same-gender marriages • Allows for contextual discernment – Conference, Bishop, DCOM/BOOM, local church, pastor • Adds language to protect those who decent • Does not require local congregations to vote • Continue to set wedding & building use policy
Agenda • Time of Gathering & Centering • Information brief regarding Special General Conference in Feb 2019 • Relate my experience • Listen to experiences and concerns • Address Information Questions • No theological/scriptural debate tonight • No debate on the plans tonight • Recommendations & Plans for continued dialogue / follow-up
Agenda • Time of Gathering & Centering • Information brief regarding Special General Conference in Feb 2019 • Relate my experience • Listen to experiences and concerns • Address Questions • No theological/scriptural debate today • No debate on the plans today • Recommendations & Plans for continued dialogue / follow-up
Agenda • Time of Gathering & Centering • Information brief regarding Special General Conference in Feb 2019 • Relate my experience • Listen to experiences and concerns • Address Questions • No theological/scriptural debate tonight • No debate on the plans tonight • Recommendations & Plans for continued dialogue / follow-up
Closing • Call to read The Anatomy of Peace • Call to prayer and fasting • Time of Prayer
Let us pray: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
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