Posted on 06/10/2011 3:02:32 AM PDT by Cronos
In my article last month about the historic vote by Presbyterians to endorse the ordination of gay and lesbian ministers, I issued a challenge to the Methodist Church, the last mainstream denomination holding out on full acceptance of LGBT people. It seems there were already Methodists taking up the challenge to make their denomination more welcoming.
Just days after the Presbyterians moved to approve gay and lesbian clergy, the Washington Post reported that “the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church narrowly approved a groundbreaking same-sex marriage resolution.”
The resolution, passed at the church’s annual local conference, would amend the church’s Book of Discipline to allow pastors to perform same-sex marriages and ceremonies in member churches in jurisdictions where legislatures already have approved gay marriage laws, such as the District.
The measure was not expected to pass by its sponsor, Washington’s Foundry United Methodist. The pastor there, Rev. Dean Synder, said the resolution was presented “as an occasion to have a conversation. This is very exciting, very moving.”
The resolution must pass muster at the denomination’s General Conference next April in Tampa. Back in 2008, the General Conference rejected an attempt to remove a line from the Book of Discipline that calls homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
The move in Washington was followed closely by 70 Methodist ministers in Minnesota vowing to marry same-sex couples seeking the church’s blessing. At present, the denomination forbids its clergy to preside over same-sex weddings, even in states where it is legal, or for its buildings to be used for such ceremonies. Ministers in violation could be de-frocked.
The move by the ministers comes as Minnesota voters prepare to vote next year on a constitutional amendment that would define marriage in the state as being only between one man and one woman. The statement was brought to the UMC’s annual state denominational conference last month by Rev. Bruce Robbins, pastor of the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. The statement gives a nod to the other denominations who are ahead of them:
We are convinced by the witness of others and are compelled by Spirit and conscience to act. We thank the many United Methodists who have already called for full equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of the Church.
Neither measure goes as far as approving LGBT people for ordination, but the question remains: could this coming UMC General Conference be the tipping point for the Methodists as it was the Presbyterians' last denominational gathering? A lot has changed since 2008, with more people becoming accepting of LGBT people and marriage equality. Remember, back in 2009, the Presbyterian proposal to allow gay and lesbian clergy was defeated in the Presbyteries—with narrower margins than the two previous votes, until this year, when the margin finally favored gay and lesbian clergy. If these latest moves do not prove to be the ultimate tipping point for the Methodists, then we may well be witnessing the beginning of a trajectory toward inclusion similar to the Presbyterian journey.
Good for you, greatgrandma!
I guess some people don’t understand they are affiliated with heresy when they stay in these fallen denominations. One can still be a Christian Methodist, of course, but how can a Christian possibly stay in communion, working in unity with his so-called brethren, when they are openly espousing heresy? He cannot.
Methodism has been a lost cause since the 70’s when Bishops cursed the Holy Spirit in a rampage to rid every church in their conferences of charismatic influence. Wesley’s authoritarian character, based as it was on his deep devotion to the work of the Holy Spirit, has been perverted and made demonic. Methodism remains little more than a cult led by elitist thugs and their useful idiots who deny the authority of God.
I’m not writing that xzins is a heretic. What I’m saying is that he’s associated with the heretics if he stays in a fallen denomination. If xzins is absolutely convinced the Lord want him (or her) to stay there as a witness to the heretics, then who am I to dissuade him? He should do as the Lord directs. However, there are scriptural and historical indications that one should flee from heresy. The early church fathers, based on what I know, refused to have anything to do with the heretics, aka little anti-christs.
The church is not the same thing as The Church. Christ knows His sheep.
God bless you
If they’re REALLY inclusive, they’ll invite Satan into their midst. Now that’s INCLUSIVE! I mean, why be exclusive, after all?
I’m of the Wesleyan denomination and I fear this will be accepting into it as well. Does anyone know if my fear has already become fact?
Don’t think so...yet. We have come to the conclusion that it’s time for a frank talk with our Wesleyan pastor though, focusing on traditional Bible-based values and support for Israel. Checking to make sure we are on the same page, since we keep hearing social justice themes. Stand firm!
Help them how? They’ve already surrendered, if the option is on the table.
I checked out the Wesleyans’ official website a while back and was dismayed to find ‘diversity’ in one of the mission statements. In today’s zeitgeist, that can only mean one thing.
My problem is that I also have heard social justice, the "Purpose Driven Life," etc, talked about in the church and I know those are code words for socialism. And it wasn't just one church, I heard it in several. Plus they also sound like a lot like a Benny Hinn service.
So now I have a decision to make on whether I want to be accountable to church body that appears as if they are going down the "marxist road" or do I try and locate a church, no matter the denomination, that preaches a true gospel.
They are hard to find.
I need to find that. Can you provide a link?
UNITY IN DIVERSITY: There is intrinsic value in every person. Unity becomes all the more important and beautiful in the light of the wide ranges of difference in personality, culture, race, talents, and perspectives. Loving each other eliminates devaluation and deprivation of life to one another.
Lamestream denomination.
Another thing is the statement, "Loving each other eliminates devaluation and deprivation of life to one another." While we are commanded to love, this statement doesn't take into account the entire concept of biblical teaching on sin.
It's almost to the point where the true church will have to go underground to survive.
I once considered becoming a Wesleyan, but never now.
Sounds like the Knights of Ni in here, “Run away, Run away!!”
I left the Methodist socialist party 11 years ago when I finally realized that the Methodist church was not a church. For most Methodists, it’s a social club — kind of a poor man’s country club. For the small group that runs everything, it’s an extreme left-wing political party.
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