The United Methodist Church has been my church since birth. If truth be known it has been my church since before birth as my father and grandfather were both in ministry in the Methodist and then the United Methodist Church. My sister is also an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and I was on the staff of a United Methodist Church for 5 years.
While I do not typically write about controversial topics or sensitive issues on It’s Just Life many of my readers know of my relationship with the United Methodist Church and have asked me “What do you think? Where do you stand?” so I decided that I would devote one blog post to just that.
I do not have answers.
If you are not aware of what happened with our denomination this week there was a Special Session of the General Conference held in St. Louis to specifically examine paragraphs in our Book of Discipline that concern human sexuality. It has been a hot topic for so many years and this attempt to act on a report from the Commission on the Way Forward and bring unity to our denomination.
What happened was inevitable. Perhaps not the outcome but that sides would be taken, differences aired and lines drawn. The vote for the Traditional Plan passed as amended, which affirms the church’s current bans on ordaining LGBTQ clergy and officiating at or hosting same-sex marriage. The vote was 438 Yes 384 No.
So what do I think?
I was a little surprised quite honestly.
Given that the United Methodist Church is global and not just a North American church it kind of makes sense that it went this way. There are many countries (Africa, Russia, etc.) who are not as accepting of homosexuality as our nation. As a global entity each delegate represented from our vast denomination had a voice.
But I do not think it is as simple as the Yes No vote. I have not seen the exact words that were voted on and passed. As I understand it there were amendments and perhaps some wording that was included is not even legal. I don’t know. There is much to be researched and talked about still. This is not over. I look forward to being able to understand exactly what passed and what it actually means. I also am reading this vote as not embracing ordination or performing same sex marriages. That does not mean not embracing those who have a different sexual lifestyle and welcoming them into our fellowship. However I can totally understand how those same people would not feel welcome. It is so much more complicated than it appears on the surface, isn’t it?
What I have seen in the media so far has been just a part of the story with inflamed headlines. I don’t think I have the true story yet. I look forward to that and to further discussion and understanding. I still do not believe it is a black and white situation at all. I do not pretend to understand this at all. I don’t . I wish I did. I wish I felt like I had a clear sense but at this point I don’t.
So what do I know?
I know that John Wesley who was the founder of our denomination was a proponent of social justice. The denomination addresses issues of social justice at every turn. Which is why many feel that this recent vote is controversial.
What I do know is that we are instructed to love one another. How each person chooses to live that out is in their own control. I choose to share love with all. I don’t care who you are or how you live your life. You are loved. There is so much I do not understand but I hope that I am open to understanding. That is my prayer.
I also know that God is not finished with our denomination yet. I know that there is strife and incredible pain and hurt within our ranks and it has been there for years. We do not always agree on every single thing but I still believe that God is there before us and leads each of us to our own understanding of what our beliefs are. It is a time to turn to God, to turn to one another and to work together instead of against one another. It is the time to be unified and not separated.
If you want to learn more about the Special Session and the United Methodist Church I would suggest going directly to their website by clicking here or on the UM News website here. More details will be unfolding as the weeks pass and I am prayerfully considering what this means to me.
All respectful comments are welcome.
16 Comments
Leave a commentWhen I scrolled down to comment the post that is literally right above the comment box right now is your “I choose love” post. That to me is not a coincidence, I also grew up in The UMC. I am now catholic, as I joined my husband’s church when we got married. I keep thinking of my favorite children’s music song from when I was little and growing up Methodist.
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children
Of the world.
So, I choose love and I choose to believe that Jesus loves EVERYONE regardless of color, orientation, gender, or any other label.
Well said, Jen. Very well said. Thank you for your comment and for sharing your thoughts today. The song is a perfect example of what I believe as well. 🙂
I too grew up in the Methodist church. My mother was the church secretary until I was a junior in high school. Unfortunately, I also saw ‘behind the scenes’ and it left me very disillusioned. To the point, our church actually split in the early 70’s.
But I also remember a time when women were confined to vacation bible school, choir, and church pot lucks. They couldn’t lead older Sunday School classes, much less be ushers, or lay ministers.
I consider myself a believer in a ‘higher power’ these days and would label myself as pagan. However, I did follow a bit with the current stance of the church. My feeling is if people worried more about their behavior toward others and their own spiritual health and less on what others were doing and with whom, the world would be a better place.
I feel so sorry for those who now feel forsaken by their church.
Judy— thank you so much for your honest and respectful comment. There are absolutely no winners. There are many that I personally have failed over the years and I ask forgiveness for that. But I do have hope for the future . Without hope there is nothing.
I commend you for sharing your thoughts and trying to explain the vote! Thank you!
Well I don’t know if it is commendable or not but it was on my heart. Love one another will continue to be my mantra. Thanks for stopping by!!!
Well said!
Thank you! I just needed to write it out.
Your faith is like a beacon in the night. Hope. Love one another. Race, gender, sexuality, who cares? Sometimes the makers of rules have political mine fields to maneuver… It’s our job to help guide them not by statement, but by our actions.
That is such a sweet thing to write, Josh. Means a lot. Yes. Love one another is key. Let’s just do it. Like Nike. 🙂
Religion is so interesting. A priest once said to me that the Catholic church is not like Burger King they do it their way. I respect that about the Catholic church (or use to) they are not willy nilly about their doctrine. It is what it is I chose to opt out. It’s very easy for me to separate religion from a higher power. My god simple isn’t interested in most of what maters to the clergy. I do understand how sad it is for people when their religion disappoints them. At least the Methodist vote can be explained(and you did it well) it is much harder to explain what is happening in the Catholic church. May peace be with us all.
Katybeth, as always you share your rational and respectful opinions. I LOVE that about you! Organized religion is definitely taking a hard hit these days and it is understandable when folks find fault . I still believe that love wins out, that my God is present and forgiving (thank goodness) and that we are all muddling through life together and need each other. Peace to you as well, my friend. <3
Fwiw…I believe homosexuality is a physical reaction to crowded living conditions that a minority of humans share with a minority of other animals. No more worthy of special blame than sterility (another reaction)–or maybe food intolerance, another physical reaction.
I also believe Christian churches have a right to continue to frown on homosexual activity.
Reason: Spiritual discipline traditionally involves sexual discipline (yes, for all of us). If you can’t say no to physical desires, you’re not seriously following a spiritual path. People may stumble backward into indulgence, but if they’re openly making indulgence a lifestyle, they’re not willing to be members of a church.
(Also: I sort of have a reputation for not caring how much people hate me. I don’t think the church should cave to hate, either.)
Priscilla, thank you so much for your comments and for your thoughts on this topic. It is one that is a tough one for many and I appreciate all the respectful and thoughtful comments that my readers have contributed including yours.
Beth Ann, like you I have been a Methodist all my life. My family also have been sense as far back as my Great Great Grandparents. Through my Faith over the years I have chosen love and forgiveness. I was not put here on earth to judge anyone but to love and care for as many as I can. We all will have our Judgement Day by our Heavenly Father we do not need or shall judge each other. Another well written blog, thanks so much. Have a good weekend.
Shirley, thank you so much for your words. It is such a tough thing to see people hurting for whatever reason and I suspect there are a lot of folks hurting at this time. I just wish it was easier at times but God made us all to have minds of our own and when we feel passionately about an issue sometimes it comes through in a hurtful way. I keep praying for unity and love to win. Thank you!