Hundreds of United Methodist clergy are expressing deep concerns over a pledge made by a renegade group of fellow ministers to marry same-sex couples. Their concern is that if the pledge is carried through, the future of the denomination is in jeopardy.
“We do not know how many, if any, marriages or ‘holy unions’ of same-sex couples will be performed by UM clergy in the near future,” reads a letter, currently signed by more than 400 pastors, to the Council of Bishops. “But we do know the destructive effects that will result in our local churches and throughout the denomination if such services are performed by UM pastors.”
The Presbyterian and Episcopal denominations have seen several larger, growing, conservative congregations seeking to distance themselves from national hierarchies that have forced recognition of homosexual clergy and marriage onto their denominations. Large churches in Virginia, Texas and California have taken measures to pull out of the U.S. Episcopal denomination. The Presbyterians are seeing a new, conservative denomination split away after national leadership voted to drop longstanding prohibitions on homosexuality.
Watching what has happened to those denominations, the concerned Methodist clergy are referring to a pledge that some 900 ministers have endorsed in support of same-sex civil unions. By signing the pledge, they agreed to defy the denomination’s ban on blessing same-sex unions.
“The United Methodist Church holds the position that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching and that homosexual unions ‘shall not be conducted by our ministers’ or in UMC churches,” reports Lillian Kwon in the Christian Post. “While the denomination has debated the issue of homosexuality for decades, the growing number of clergy willing to disobey church laws and marry gay and lesbian couples has many in the church concerned.
“For forty years we United Methodists have listened to each other, respected each other and have engaged in holy conferencing on the important issues of same-sex marriage and the practice of homosexuality,” concerned clergy say in the letter. ”Though the discussions and resultant protests have not always been pleasant, there has been the assurance that we would respect the decisions of General Conference and live by the covenant that holds us together.”
“The United Methodist Church’s General Conference meets every four years. In its most recent meeting in 2008, delegates voted to maintain the church’s policy prohibiting the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of partnered homosexuals,” notes Kwon. “But with hundreds now signing on to a pledge to defy the decisions of the denomination’s highest governing body, many clergy say this could prove destructive to the unity of the church.”
“Honestly, we fear that many of our people will decide that if the United Methodist Church will not live by the covenant that holds us together, it will be time for them to find another church,” the concerned clergy state in the letter to bishops. ”The positive ministries of transformational discipleship that we are attempting to build are threatened by this group of defiant clergy.”
A group of nearly 2,000 conservative members of the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) met in Minneapolis August 24-25 to discuss how to move ahead in light of the denomination’s policy, begun in July, that allows open homosexuals to serve as clergy.
The conference, organized under the umbrella of Presbyterians for Renewal, was called for those members “who are deeply troubled and whose integrity is deeply threatened by the move the denomination has made,” said the Rev. Paul Detterman, the group’s executive director.
As reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the meeting was convened by the “newly formed Fellowship of Presbyterians … to help churches opposed to the move find ways to work within or leave the Presbyterian Church USA.”
Mark Tooley, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, told the Christian Post that the denomination’s decision “to abandon Christian sexual ethics predictably is fueling accelerated membership decline and schism. Some traditionalists are struggling to stay within the PC(USA) while creating new forms of accountability to compensate for the denomination’s failure.”
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posted September 19, 2011 at 10:58 am
I am a 73-year-old gay man. When I was young, marraige was something we avoided like a plague. Although I see the need for recognition of gay legal unions, probably more than many younger men do, I am still not at ease with the idea of gay marraige. For this gay man, marraige will always be between a man and a woman.
posted September 19, 2011 at 11:44 am
In almost ALL of the worlds religions it is held as an indisputible standard that sex is to be performed between married couples for the purpose of procreation. Now when ism’s step in and lower the standards all that does is move Gods people further away from God. Homosexuality in itself will never dissapear but to accept it as part of religion only serves to ridiule and defame God.
posted September 19, 2011 at 10:56 pm
FWIW … the Gathering in Minneapolis was not ‘under the umbrella of Presbyterians for Renewal’. While PFR graciously lent Paul Detterman to assist with the Gathering, the meeting was held under the auspices of the Fellowship of Presbyterians.
posted September 20, 2011 at 12:33 pm
It is becoming increasingly clear that we are a harshly divided country. This isn’t just one or two denominations. We are moving toward a day when we will have two rather large denominations; one oriented more toward legalism, selective used of Scriptures, conservative politics etc. and one more oriented toward grace, love, inclusion, and liberal politically. The first will include those more open to change as times move along and the other will, to one degree or another, be resistant to change because they always find it disturbing. One will see change moving toward light and enlightenment, and the other will see change moving toward darkness.
posted September 20, 2011 at 1:38 pm
One must avoid the arrogance of implying that only one group is selective of Scriptures and that the other is more oriented toward grace and love. And how silly to think that one group is headed for light while the other is doomed to darkness. In fact, there’s a great deal of light seen in the Third World Episcopalians and Methodists — and if you have ever worshiped with one of those booming African or South American congregations, they are about as conservative as can be.
posted September 20, 2011 at 5:14 pm
With missionary zeal, we exported homophobia and fundamentalism to the Third World. Now we get that “light” shone back in our faces. Combined with the U. S. church-backed discrimination causing extensive human damage, I say the darkness it brings is real. As a renegade United Methodist, I think Rev. Nelson’s broad brush strokes painted a worthy observation.
posted October 20, 2011 at 10:15 pm
It won’t be long until this whole argument is moot. The attitudes of society will determine whether or not Gay Marriage is something to worry about. Let’s face it – Marriage is a religious office, separate from the civil union. The law has no recourse but to grant civil union (and the attendant rights) to gay couples. It is up to the various religions and denominations to decide about marriage. My own opinion is that, in the grand scheme of things, this is a trivial matter. How about we table this one until alll the hungry are fed, the sick healed, the lonely visited, the prisoner reconciled, the naked clothed. Once that’s done, everybody who still cares can square off for a battle royal. Me? I’m for the saving message of Jesus Christ, and him expressed to the world. Do what you want with gay marriage – I’ve got bigger fish to fry.