[SeaHawkFan]

I wonder if Barbara Wright thinks homosexual pastors are appropriate for the Methodist Church.

I would guess that far less than half of UMC congregations support or condone homosexual pastors. A assume xzins would confirm this.

[xzins]

homosexual pastors....Methodist

Our General Conference, the only official voice of the UMC, just concluded its once every four year meeting last week.

We have always believed, and we have as our WRITTEN rule, that "homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." We have as a written rule that "homosexuals with not be appointed in our churches" as pastors.

This recently concluded General Conference made those statement MORE STRICT by insisting that marriage is only between one man and one woman, and that sex is legitimate only within a legitimate marriage.

I don't see how we can nail it down any more clearly than this.

There are about 30% in the LEADERSHIP of the church who are radical and will demonstrate radically against this. Our church rules make it hard to remove anyone without full-fledged trials with rights of the accused as extensive (or moreso) as those found in the our legal system.

Remember, though, that only one body speaks for the UMC -- the General Conference.