In May 2012, delegates of the United Methodist Church gathered for their General Conference Session in Tampa, Florida. A key item in the meeting was the question of whether or not to retain language in their Book of Discipline (their Church Manual) stating that homosexual practice is sin. When the main attempt to remove this language failed to pass final committee, the pro-homosexuality group turned to plan B, a compromise position. On that, the vote was… Well, you’ll know the answer if you watch this short video. The Methodist Church in General Conference voted to ordain women as pastors in 1956. Theology has consequences, and what paves the way for one practice also paves the way for future changes when cultural trends are ripe.
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6 replies on “UMC 2012 GC Session: Division over homosexuality and aftermath”
Our Church will face the same danger if we lower the standards on the biblical role of women. Though homosexuality is a total different thing – the Bible is not unambiguous about it, it’s sin alright – it is for many just a cultural issue as is women’s ordination. People who don’t honor the Bible will not see the difference. When we as Church bypass the Bible, we open the door for other bypasses too.
The incapability of leaders to act and do what they know is right will bring us on a slippery road to the abyss – we might find ourselves not be able to turn the tide.
see what happened to the Baptist Church in the US on the matter of freemason ministers. When the church leaders there finally woke up from her slumber more than 50% of the ministers were freemasons, leaving the Church with the impossible decision to let go of half of the church. Unlikely any Church will choose to take that measure.
We can decide to lower the standard on homosexuality because of empathy to the people in a downright difficult emotional situation, but by doing so we will be severely dishonest to let them think that the Lord condones the practice. The fact is that they will not be saved and their blood will be charged on our account. What Church leader or delegate would want to accept that charge?
Ingrid,
There are denominations much larger than ours right now in the process of splitting because of the underlying theology driving both WO and pro-homosexuality advocates. The issues are different in several respects, but the theology driving them essentially identical (see my eight articles on “Foundations of Women’s Ordination” elsewhere on this site for evidence). Ideas have consequences. Even good motivations, when attached to bad ideas, are destructive. Many church members have quite good motivations, but are attaching these to a fatally flawed set of ideas. The Methodists are now engaged in a heart-rending struggle. It appears that the end result in their case will be a split denomination.
Is it just me, or is there a very REAL difference in worship style between the two sides as well. You know, that reminds me of Ex 32:6, “…and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”
The Bible is clear about sex. It is not natural. I love my friends but I don’t marry them. Nor do I have sex with them.
James, I assume you mean that it is clear that homosexual activity is not natural.
Here in my country in our SDA church the first bus stop was: ecumenism; The second was unmarried co-habitation even with church officers. The third was WO, we’ve already past that one, and the happy journey goes on. The next bus stops in clear sight is full membership for practicing homosexuals. What will the stop after that one be? It’s like the statue of Daniel 2, achievement upon achievement. The slope is getting steeper and slippery, the downfall seems inevitable. Let’s learn the lesson from the fall of other churches, we don’t have to go down all together with them. Also in our Church a splitting will come. … you don’t have to be a prophet to see the way we’re heading . …Beware brethren, take care of your own soul and prepare yourself for the coming of the KING! He IS coming! Let no man boast.