Methodists to Reinstate Defrocked Minister

Associated Press ^ | Friday, Apr. 29, 2005 - 11:51 AM | FOSTER KLUG Associated Press Writer

[RobertP]

Methodists to Reinstate Defrocked Minister Updated: Friday, Apr. 29, 2005 - 11:51 AM

By FOSTER KLUG Associated Press Writer

LINTHICUM, Md. (AP) - The United Methodist Church reversed itself Friday, deciding to reinstate a lesbian minister who was defrocked after revealing her relationship with another woman.

A church panel voted 8 to 1 to set aside an earlier decision to defrock Irene "Beth" Stroud for violating the church's ban on openly gay clergy.

The Philadelphia minister said she was relieved by the ruling and hopes the church will become more inclusive to people regardless of sexual orientation.

After Stroud disclosed the relationship to her congregation two years ago, the church defrocked her, meaning that she could no longer serve communion or baptize anyone. She kept the title of associate minister and worked in a lay capacity at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown in Philadelphia.

"The church is not free to disregard the standards of justice and inclusiveness that are preached by Jesus Christ ... and are a part of church law," Stroud said after church authorities read their decision at a hotel.

"The ruling gives us hope that the United Methodist Church has the resources to do justice," she said.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Jesus preached about justice and inclusiveness?

[Winfield]

God bless you for taking a stand! I am a former Methodist. Both of my great grandfathers were Methodist ministers. They must be "rolling in their graves"!
This dangerous foolishness (Ignoring the teachings of the scriptures and spitting in the face of God...) will only stop when more Methodists do what you are doing.....and stop supporting their so-called "spiritual leaders" with their hard-earned dollars.
During the "Elias" scandal, I called several Methodist congregations and asked if they were aware that their "alms"
were in fact being used to send that little boy back to Communist Cuba. Most had no idea where their money goes.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I wish you great happiness in your new church.

[AppyPappy]

Here's the gobblygook

"The verdict and the penalty are reversed and set aside. Although
the Committee believes that the evidence in support of the charge was
overwhelming and would be sustained in the absence of legal error,
the Committee concluded that legal error vititates the verdict on two
independent grounds. First, Judicial Council Decision No. 702, which
binds this COmmittee, makes it legal error, namely, a deprivation of
due process - to try, convict and deprive a member in full connection
of her right to an appointment pursuant to 304.3 and 2702.1(b) of the
Discipline when, as in this case, neither the General Conference nor
the pertinent Annual Conference has defined the words "practicing
homosexual" and "status". Second, it was errot to try and convict
the Appellant on the basis of 304.3 beause that provision constitutes
a "new standard or rule of doctorine" which has not been declared by
the General Conference to be "not contrary to present standards," in
violation of the First Restrictive Rule and 102 of the Discipline."

[irish_links]

"From gay lesbians..."

A bigot shows his stripes.

[tiki]

Me too.

[GOP_1900AD]

I'll file this one under "Reasons Why I Don't Miss the MC" ;)

[conservonator]

From gay lesbians...

?

Are there straight lesbians

[Winfield]

"People are running from the Methodist church to cults, sects, whatever."
No, Dan, people are running FROM the Methodist church and seeking churches that don't polute the Word of God and
don't openly promote sins that are plainly condemned in the scriptures. It is they who stay who are compromising and thereby supporting an "anything goes" religion.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

>>Jesus preached about justice and inclusiveness?<<

Justice, yes - for unrepentant sinners, false teachers, and blasphemers. Justice for those who know God's word, but openly reject it.

Inclusiveness? I can't seem to find that part. What I did find was quite the opposite!

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Matthew 10:34-39

Their "Open Minds" claptrap is also contradictory to scripture - see tagline.

Continue to pray that the wayward churches will turn their hearts to Christ, and that their neighbor churches who are strong in the word will take on their responsibility and openly rebuke those who are teaching false doctrine.

[Mark in the Old South]

I am not surprised one bit, I was very surprised when they defrocked her. This pretty much restores my low opinion. Remember the UNC along with the Episcopalians and the Presbyterian USA all supported the Pro-Abortion rally last summer in Washington DC. Go to the Church you like but know what your contributions go toward supporting.

[d-back]

Whoa, pal, hold on a second. There are homosexuals in every Christian organization on the globe, Catholic Church included. That's not the issue. The question is whether homosexuality is encouraged or approved by the organization, and the Methodists just approved of it. The Catholic Church has NEVER approved of it. In fact, the Church condemns it as intrinsically disordered.

So get your facts straight.

And Sthitch, welcome home.

[ZULU]

Where can I get information on PCA and AMIA?

Thanks.

[Roux]

Sounds like she won the appeal on a technicality. She'll probably be retried and re-defrocked(hey a new word).

My Methodist church had a minister dismissed for adultery. I think once his indiscretions were discovered he resigned and was not defrocked.

Unfortunately, the only thing the church heirarchy understands is money. When the conservative parishoners stop giving and they'll change their ways.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Great post #50.

[Mark in the Old South]

John Wesley never left the Church of England. My Catholic Mass in Latin would seem closer to a Wesley service than what is called Methodist today. He is quoted as saying "If they (the Methodist) ever leave the Church of England God would leave them" He was half right.

[lionheart 247365]

Ping !!!

[N. Theknow]

Jesus preached about justice and inclusiveness?

To these meretricious reprobates, they think Homosexuals are the Fruits of the Spirit.

[Mark in the Old South]

Gay priest are not a policy. They are never told it is okay and go on sinning. You seem to have a problem making that distinction. You will never find a church as long as you keep feeding that deficiency.

[AppyPappy]

Methodists just approved of it.

Negative. A Methodist Church PANEL approved it. Another Methodist PANEL disapproved of it.

Damn Yankees.