Methodists Double Down on Gay Marriage Opposition, Anti-LGBT Clergy

[Cow Poke]

Methodists Double Down on Gay Marriage Opposition, Anti-LGBT Clergy

[lee_merrill]

Swimming against the tide, the Methodist church is to be commended for adhering to Biblical principles, yet with love for all people.

Blessings,
Lee

[Cow Poke]

Swimming against the tide, the Methodist church is to be commended for adhering to Biblical principles, yet with love for all people.

Blessings,
Lee

I'm curious to see tomorrow, when I meet with some of our local church leaders, how this plays in our community. One of our bigger Methodist churches has a gay staff member, and has embraced same sex marriage. Their female pastor today mentioned that she is required by their Bishop to print the Bishop's policy in their bulletin, and she has to announce it from the pulpit on Sunday, though she is not in agreement with it, personally.

[seer]

I was a Methodist in the 90s, these issues are why I left.

[Bill the Cat]

I was a Methodist in the 90s, these issues are why I left.

Same.

[One Bad Pig]

My dad left the Methodist church in the '70s (he was raised Presbyterian, but that's where he was going when I was born). My dad wanted to hear commentary on scripture, not the newspaper. I have vague memories of attending as a preschooler.

Kudos to them for doing what's right, for the nonce.

[Sparko]

So will this end up with a split like in the Presbyterian church?

[Cow Poke]

So will this end up with a split like in the Presbyterian church?

Just from the comments I'm hearing from members of our local UMC (and rumblings from their female pastor), I'm thinking probably yes.

The vote was pretty close -- 438 to 384 -- if there's not a split, I'd imagine it's only a few more years before the majority switches.

[Cow Poke]

So will this end up with a split like in the Presbyterian church?

A similar thing happened with the Lutherans, which is why our Church shared our building with a new Lutheran congregation in town, that had split off a bigger local Lutheran Church where things just got too liberal.

That Church - the new Lutheran congregation - now has their own building and they are growing.

[DesertBerean]

This surprised me because I was hearing they were heavily in favor of those two issues. But considering how close the vote was, that wasn't too far off the mark.

I'm guessing they gave until 2021 to declare one's stance to give a grace period? Do Methodist clergy have to give periodic written affirmation to the doctrines they are to teach? Our clergy do so every year, and we have a common history with the Methodists.

[Cow Poke]

This surprised me because I was hearing they were heavily in favor of those two issues. But considering how close the vote was, that wasn't too far off the mark.

I'm guessing they gave until 2021 to declare one's stance to give a grace period? Do Methodist clergy have to give written affirmation to the doctrines they are to teach periodically? Our clergy do so every year, and we have a common history with the Methodists.

I'm thinking the "grace period" is to allow UMC churches an opportunity to "staff up" appropriately. Our UMC pastors, locally, talk about the "Methodist Shuffle", where they can get reassigned annually (or 2 years) to new places of services.

[Terraceth]

Is the requirement to denounce same-sex marriage a requirement to denounce it on civic grounds or just in their own religion? (i.e. a refusal to perform same-sex marriages, but not necessarily an opposition to it being government policy)

[tabibito]

Is the requirement to denounce same-sex marriage a requirement to denounce it on civic grounds or just in their own religion? (i.e. a refusal to perform same-sex marriages, but not necessarily an opposition to it being government policy)

Outside is ordinarily not a matter of, nor subject to, church discipline. I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor 5)
However, that does not extend so far as giving approval, whether tacit or explicit, to activities that are opposed to Christian precepts. At times, we find ourselves treading a fine line.

[Cow Poke]

Is the requirement to denounce same-sex marriage a requirement to denounce it on civic grounds or just in their own religion? (i.e. a refusal to perform same-sex marriages, but not necessarily an opposition to it being government policy)

Let's ask the Methodists....

2019 General Conference passes Traditional Plan

hmmmm...... ok, looking for the actual text of the plan.

[Cow Poke]

OK, I know somebody who is a secretary for a large Methodist Church where the pastor is actually against this plan, but is obligated to print and distribute it to their membership.

I'll get a copy.