wfn.org | Impact of Judicial Council ruling still being discussed

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Sept. 17, 1998	Contact: Thomas S. McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville,
Tenn.  10-21-28-71B{530}

By United Methodist News Service*

United Methodists continue to discuss the impact of a decision on
homosexual unions released Aug. 11 by the church's Judicial Council.

The nine-member "supreme court" ruled that United Methodist clergy who
conduct homosexual unions or allow such ceremonies to be held in United
Methodist Churches can be charged with disobeying the discipline of the
church.   Prior to the ruling, some had argued that since the language
was in the church's Social Principles, it was not enforceable law.
However, the Judicial Council said  it "has the effect of church law,
notwithstanding its placement. . .  and therefore, governs the conduct
of the ministerial office."

The issue arose within the denomination last September following the
celebration of a "union" of two women by the Rev. Jimmy Creech, then
pastor of First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Neb.  His bishop
warned him that doing so would be a violation of church law.  A church
trial failed to reach the necessary two-thirds majority to find Creech
guilty, but bishops of the church's eight-state South Central
Jurisdiction, including Texas, asked the Judicial Council to rule on the
matter.

While much informal discussion has taken place since the decision, the
North Texas Conference is  the only one of the 66 regional bodies in the
United States to employ a "day of listening" approach to the issue.

Meeting Saturday, Sept. 2, in Denton, Texas, some 500 United Methodists
spent the day listening for God's will as it specifically relates to the
10 words newly defined as church law: "Ceremonies that celebrate
homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not
be conducted in our churches."

Bishop William B. Oden, in opening remarks Sept. 12 acknowledged that
the issue under discussion is at the heart of many concerns across the
church and said that, through this special day, conference lay and
clergy leaders were "putting their concerns on top of the table."

The Rev. Leighton Farrell, superintendent of the Dallas South District,
summarized changes in church law regarding homosexuality since creation
of the United Methodist Church in 1968.  He noted that the subject first
entered the Book of Discipline when the 1972 General Conference adopted
a section of the Social Principles declaring homosexual practice
"incompatible with Christian teaching."

Subsequent conferences have prohibited funding of homosexual causes,
denied ordination to any self-avowed practicing homosexual persons and,
as of the most recent (1996) General Conference,  prohibited the
celebration of homosexual unions within United Methodist Churches and by
United Methodist clergy.  

At the same time, United Methodist policy recognizes that "homosexual
persons no less than heterosexual persons" are individuals of sacred
worth and that all persons need the ministry and guidance of the church.
While the church officially condemns the practice of homosexuality as
"incompatible with Christian Teaching", it also affirms that "God's
grace is available to all" and commits the church to be in ministry "for
and with all persons."

Deeply personal statements consumed most of the remainder of the morning
session in Denton's First United Methodist Church sanctuary.  Invited
speakers who expressed divergent views on homosexuality, inclusiveness
with the church and the authority of scripture were the Rev. John
Thornburg, Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas; Laura
Echols-Richte, director of adult ministries at St. Andrews United
Methodist Church in Plano; the Rev. Fred Durham, Tyler Street United
Methodist Church in Dallas; and the Rev. Richard Dunagin, Lake Highlands
United Methodist Church in Dallas.

The four also participated on a panel with Oden as moderator.  Following
lunch, participants divided into 35 groups of 10 to 12 individuals for
discussion.  Leaders of the small groups were given a sheet with 14
suggestions, including, "Remember the purpose of the day is to listen,
not to reach some conclusion or decision."  The leaders were also
advised to "allow freedom for passion and emotion, but to try to keep
persons listening."

Oden said all participants would  receive copies of responses recorded
from the small-group discussions.  He told a brief news conference
between morning and afternoon sessions that the day had shown that North
Texas United Methodists are "on the same journey but going by different
paths."  He also said he prays that all can remain within the United
Methodist "tent" and that gay and lesbian United Methodists can know
that they are welcomed and fully accepted in the life and ministries of
the church.

Other annual conferences had similar events following the Judicial
Council ruling but nothing of the magnitude of North Texas.  About 70
people attended a discussion meeting hosted by Michigan Area Bishop
Donald A. Ott Aug. 16 at University United Methodist Church in Lansing.
Ott spent nearly 75 minutes talking  about the decision.

Tension in discussing the issue was obvious, right from the start,
according to Erik Alsgaard, editor of the Michigan Christian Advocate. 

"This decision extends language that hurts," said Dale Myrtle, Bay City,
the father of two homosexual children. "This church has a homophobia.
All too often the majority shuns the minority and abides in ignorance,"
he said.

Those comments drew the ire of the Rev. John Grenfell Jr., a retired
pastor, who said he has trouble dialoguing "with someone who thinks I'm
ignorant.  We have some honest differences and how we administer that is
crucial.  If we're going to have the pluralism we pride ourselves on, we
better find ways to manage it."

The bishop pleaded with United Methodists to stay connected.  "Do not be
dismissive of what others have to say," he said.  "Be in dialogue with
others. Stay connected with the whole body.  Value the tension. I want
to be in a church like that."

The Rev. Jerry Toshalis of Trinity Church in Grand Rapids said  the
Judicial Council ruling raises a serious question.  "I have not been
asked yet to do a gay wedding.  On the surface, this decision seems
clear: I am told what I can't do.  That is not sufficient.  I cannot, in
good conscience, say (to a gay couple), 'the church says no'." 

The Rev. Tim Boal of Montague said he was troubled by the "lack of
symmetry" in the decision: "I can bless somebody's iguana or their dog,
but if I bless their love, I'm gone."

Making a plea for United Methodists to listen to the guidance of the
Holy Spirit was the Rev. Les Longden, pastor of Trinity United Methodist
Church in Lansing.  "We need to put issues (like this one) on the table
and discuss it. Consensus in the church, though, is not the same thing
as consensus in the world.  Consensus in the body of Christ is to not
rush to judgment.  We need to listen to the Spirit's guidance; it's
something (the church) has that others don't."

# # #

* Information for the following article came from an article in the
North Texas United Methodist Reporter, written by John A. Lovelace,
editor emeritus of the Dallas-based United Methodist Reporter, and an
article in the Michigan Christian Advocate, written by Erik Alsgaard,
editor.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
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