1 Corinthians 12: 24b-26 (New International
Version): “But God has put the body
together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there
should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern
for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part
is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
One of the more famous quotes that John Wesley never said
is: 'In essentials, unity; in non-essentials liberty, and in all things,
charity.' It is unclear who said it first, maybe St. Augustine, but it appears
doubtful that Mr. Wesley, the founder of the worldwide movement called
Methodism, said this. But it is a good quote, a very good quote,
nonetheless. It is quite clear how Mr.
Wesley felt about division in the church: he was against it.
The United Methodist Church has been debating human
sexuality for about three years less than half a century. That is a long time,
a very long time. At issue is the current position of the United Methodist
Church that states homosexuality is incompatible with a Christian life-style primarily leading to restrictions in the area of ordination, weddings and the use of
church space.
This February in St. Louis, over 860 elected delegates
from the World-Wide Church will gather in legislative session once again, and
thrash out where we stand on this issue.
We will be represented by four clergy and four laity, six from
Colorado and two from Montana. They were elected in 2015 and their term of service effectively ends
this summer.
There are three competing plans for what we are going to
do about human sexuality:
1. Remove
the restrictive language and allow various levels of the church to make their
informed decision as to what works for them in their context. No church will be
forced to accept an openly homosexual pastor. No pastor will be forced to
perform a same sex wedding. No church will be forced to allow their space to be
used for a same sex wedding. This is the “One Church Plan.”
2. Retain
the current restrictive language and it would strengthen the response for those
who violate these restrictions. This plan would permit “gracious exit” for
churches who find the language problematic. This is called the “Traditional
Plan.”
3. A
very contextual solution that would eliminate one layer of church hierarchy and
keep us United in name, but would allow for three different theological
understandings to be their defining ethos. It is reasonably safe to say these
three approaches are: more open and affirming, roughly where we are now, and something between
the two. This is the most complex plan, and will require the longest to
implement for various reasons. This is the “Connectional Conference Plan.”
As with any legislation, amendments can be offered,
debated and voted up or down. It is quite challenging to know precisely what
will be approved or disapproved. This will be a defining moment for the
movement called Methodism. There
will be some leaving no matter what is or is not agreed to, that is a simple
fact. Division is going to happen: the issue is how to minimize the division
while being faithful to scripture as informed and illuminated by our
traditions, experiences and reason.
I believe that if we are attempting to minimize division
and want to find solutions, we can. I confess often, I hear voices that are
uninterested in reaching common understanding and I hope a spirit of active listening
leading to understanding will be present in St. Louis.
I personally endorse the “One Church Plan” as a pragmatic
solution that allows conscience to be invoked at multiple levels: conference,
local church and pastor. Is it perfect?
No. There may come a day twenty-five years from now where such an agreement
with the “One Church Plan” will be viewed consistent with barring pulpits to
women so long ago is viewed now. “You were part of a denomination which
permitted some churches to refuse to accept homosexual pastors and refused to
perform same sex unions?” My explanation
at that charge would be: We had to accept
that compromise in order to keep the United church from becoming Untied.
Barry Welliver, your Lay Leader, and I will be discussing
this on Saturday, February 9th, at the United Methodist Men’s
Breakfast. Breakfast is at 8:30 am, and our discussion will probably start
about 9:00. Send a note to office@hilltopumchurch.org
if you do not normally attend the Men’s breakfast and would like to attend to
help with head-count. All are welcome.
I pray we can find a way to stay United on the essentials
and agree to a Grace-filled state of being less than United over
non-essentials.
Selah, Pastor Dennis
