wfn.org | Pastor Responds to Bishops' Statement

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (2881 notes).

Note 2881 by SUSAN PEEK on April 19, 1996 at 19:02 Eastern (1711 characters).

SEARCH: doctrine, discipline, homosexuality, bishops, United
Methodist, General Conference

018 {2892}                                          April 19, 1996

Pastor of largest United Methodist church
expresses pain over bishops' statement

     DENVER (UMNS) -- The pastor of the largest United Methodist
Church expressed pain to the 1996 General Conference after hearing
that 15 of the denomination's bishops released a statement
declaring their personal convictions about homosexuality are
contradictory to the United Methodist Book of Discipline.

     The Rev. William Hinson, pastor of First United Methodist
Church, Houston, said he is dismayed that "the conscience of 15 of
our bishops will not affirm the doctrine and discipline of our
church."

     He said these bishops "not only have broken their silence,
but much, much more."

     In their statement, released April 18, the bishops said,
although not agreeing with the church's position, they affirmed
their commitment to uphold the Discipline of the church. They
urged congregations "to open their doors in gracious hospitality
to all our brothers and sisters in the faith."

     Hinson pleaded with the other bishops to "break their
silence" and tell the General Conference delegates "in a clear and
convincing way" that they support the standards of the Scriptures,
the Discipline, church laws and majority rule.

     The United Methodist Church, second largest Protestant
denomination in the United States, has approximately 8.6 million
members in 36,000 local U.S. congregations.

                               # # #
                                                    -- Linda Green
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