What's happening in the Methodist Church?
Ask Me Anything
Week 4: What's happening in the Methodist Church?
What is going on with the Methodist church? Wasn’t there supposed to be a general conference to finally figure out what we were going to do as a denomination in regards to human sexuality and who can serve as clergy? Did that ever happen? Do you think the denomination will split?
Overview of Methodist Structure
"The United Methodist Church does not have a central headquarters or a single executive leader. Duties are divided among bodies that include the General Conference, the Council of Bishops and the Judicial Council. These entities are required by our Constitution to be part of our structure. Each plays a significant role in the life of the church," (UMC.org). Global United Methodism consists of these main three areas.
General Conference meets every four years, this is the major voting body where all Annual Conferences from across the globe send delegations of Clergy and Laity to represent the interests of the United Methodist Church. This is where any major changes take place. The Book of Discipline is the guiding document of the church, which is updated at General Conference. "The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church is the product of over 200 years of General Conferences of the denominations that now form the United Methodist Church. The Discipline as the instrument for setting forth the laws, plan, polity, and process by which the United Methodists govern themselves remains constant," (Book of Discipline, 2016).
According to the Book of Discipline, "The Church expects the Council of Bishops to speak to the Church and from the Church to the world and to give leadership in the quest for Christian unity and interreligious relationships," (Paragraph 427.2). Bishops have no voting power at Annual, Jurisdictional or General Conferences. They provide wisdom and leadership.
"As the denomination’s highest judicial body or "court," the Judicial Council's nine members, made up of laity and clergy, are elected by the General Conference and normally meet twice a year to consider whether actions of the various church bodies adhere to the constitution and follow the rules outlined in the Book of Discipline," (UMC.org).
From the local church the structure more or less consists of: Local lay (non-clergy) leaders, Clergy, District Superintendents, Bishop. The Methodists church is split into 129 Annual Conferences, which are an organizational unit, and a yearly meeting. There are also jurisdictional (or central) conferences, which elect Bishops every four years, and provide support to a region of Annual Conferences.
LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Methodist Church
Currently, there are three primary paragraphs of The Discipline that address LGBTQ+ inclusion in The United Methodist Church. The paragraphs are: 161.G, 304.3, and 341.6.
These conversations have been happening for a long time. The strength and at times challenge, of our denomination is that we are incredibly diverse. Membership on 4 continents, with membership of a little less than 13 million, of all nations, race, age, orientation, gender, and identity. This is a beautiful thing, and with our current structure it makes it challenging to come to a consensus on these issues. One of the most recent crisis points has been at GC2019, which was a special session that happened in STL. At the 2019 special session of General Conference, there was a large regional divide. Many believe, that if it had been a vote amongst US churches, we would've moved for allowing same-sex marriage, "practicing" homosexual clergy, and officiating "seme-sex" weddings. However, because we are a global church, now the dilemma is to find a solution that most people are happy with. After GC2019, everyone left frustrated. There was supposed to be a general conference in 2020, however it has been postponed until 2024. So this has given us 3 years to sit in this issue with no resolution, which is very uncomfortable.
161.G Human Sexuality
We affirm that sexuality is God’s good gift to all persons. We call everyone to responsible stewardship of this sacred gift.
Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relations are affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.
We deplore all forms of the commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation of children and for adequate protection, guidance, and counseling for abused children. All persons, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation, are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured and to be protected against violence. The Church should support the family in providing age-appropriate education regarding sexuality to children, youth, and adults.
We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. All persons need the ministry of the Church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm that God’s grace is available to all. We will seek to live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.
304.3 Qualifications for Ordination
While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.
"Self-avowed practicing homosexual" is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, board of ordained ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual.
This Summer, at the Florida Annual Conference, an entire class of ordinands where denied, because of this clause. Learn more about it, in this UM News article.
341.6 Unauthorized Conduct
Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.
Four Major Views
Progressive Non-Compatiblists - "Everyone in the church should have the same view"
Progressive Compatiblists - "I can live in a church where people disagree with me"
Traditional Compatiblists - "I can live in a church where people disagree with me"
Traditional Non-Compatiblists - "Everyone in the church should have the same view"
What is going to happen?
As of right now, no one knows. I can tell you about the proposed legislations for GC2020 (now GC2024), and about what is happening with disaffiliation. Whatever decision takes place, I can promise it will be slow. We are such a massive denomination, and in the effort of making sure that essential ministry continues to happen, we can't rush into this.
There was a committee of 16 people who came together to outline the specific Protocols for Seperation within the UMC. GC2019, allowed for Disaffiliation to be possible for churches seeking to separate from the United Methodist Church. Largely, this has been the "traditional non-compatibilist" group. The Global Methodist Church (GMC), started on May 1, 2022. Many of the churches disaffiliating from the UMC, have left for the GMC. Local churches can decide to disaffiliate, in which case they can take their real estate and property with them. However, they must pay two years of apportionments (3 in Missouri), and enter into an agreement with their annual conference.
At this point, most of the "non-compatiblists" have left. Now we are simply trying to find a way forward. One of the more promissing, and in my opinion likely, options would be the creation of a U.S. regional conference, where we would make decisions based on the majority of our region. This would allow us the freedom to update our language on LGBTQ+ inclusion within our region. The two legislations proposed for this are the Christmas Covenant and Connectional Table.
Resources:
Praying Our Way Forward w/ Bishop Farr
The Naked Pastor - UMC Cartoon
Local Church Resources - Moumethodist.org
Discussion Questions:
What are your thoughts on the Churches splitting/disaffiliating themselves because of these opposing views?
What are your thoughts on the 4 ranges of belief: Progressive non-compatibilist, progressive compatibilist, traditional compatibilist and traditional non-compatibilist?
What would be your hope for the future of the church?