wfn.org | UMNS# 04451-World Methodist leaders adopt statement on unity,

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World Methodist leaders adopt statement on unity, sexuality 

Oct. 1, 2004	 News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470* 
Nashville {04451}

NOTE: For photographs and additional coverage of the World Methodist
Council's executive committee, see UMNS stories #434 and #452 at
http://umns.umc.org. The full "Unity and Sexuality" statement follows this
story.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (UMNS)-Top leaders of the World Methodist
Council have adopted a statement on unity to "sound a note of warning" that
churches must seriously address tensions around issues of human sexuality.

If the church fails to look at the issue of homosexuality now, the unity of
the church will suffer, said His Eminence Sunday Mbang, chairperson of the
council's executive committee and prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria.

The executive committee adopted the "Unity and Sexuality" statement during
its Sept. 15-18 meeting.

"A number of countries, particularly in Europe and America, are legalizing
gay marriages," Mbang said in his opening statement to the committee. "The
churches in those areas are ordaining gay ministers. Some of them have
already consecrated gay bishops. This trend is spreading like wildfire in
some areas."

Many people of faith, especially in Africa, "are becoming very confused at
this trend and this new learning," he said.

"The future of the Christian church and Methodism may depend on what we do or
fail to do at a time when Christianity is going through (a) crisis which she
has brought upon herself. 

"The sooner each of us under God takes a position on this new trend, the
better for the Christian church."

In response to his remarks, the ecumenics and dialogue committee drafted the
unity statement, calling for churches to "apply their energies and best minds
to the challenges as we all seek God's light."

The statement acknowledges that the executive committee could not "give more
satisfactory answers than those which have resulted from long thought and
discussion in our churches; it desires only to sound a note of warning."

It goes on to urge member churches to love all their people but to hold
firmly to the "centrality of Scripture, to the long Christian tradition of
teaching on the order of creation, on marriage and family life, and to
exercise immense care as they face choices which could threaten the unity of
congregations and churches."

The World Methodist Council links churches in the Methodist and Wesleyan
tradition in 132 countries. The full council meets every five years; during
the intervening years, the council is guided by the executive committee,
representing 76 member churches.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville,
Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

The full text of the statement follows:

STATEMENT FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL

UNITY AND SEXUALITY

The Chairperson, His Eminence Sunday Mbang, in his opening address to this
Executive, called for a response to the widespread debate 'within the
churches on the subject of human sexuality.' He asserted 'the unity of the
Church is gradually beginning to suffer' as a result of significant tensions.
He observed the impact of new and unfamiliar interpretations of the
Scriptures to the confusion of many faithful Christians.  We also have record
of its adverse effect on our Christian mission.

Several churches have worked for many years to find a way to respond to the
pastoral needs of their people in the face of changing attitudes to sexual
orientation and sexual practice in our societies and cultures, acknowledging
that our sexuality is one of the gifts of God in creation. (The issue is
sharpened in many cases where a call to ordained ministry is involved.)

It must be observed that there is no ethical consensus in the world at large
on these and related matters. For Christians, there is a tension between the
desire to respond in love to all God's creatures in the light of the Gospel's
universal promises, and the need to discern God's will in rapidly changing
circumstances. Additionally, we must be concerned for the health of the
nations and the future of the entire human family.

In our review of ecumenical relationships, it is clear that at least one
Christian World Communion has been internally disrupted as a result of the
actions of certain individuals and conciliar bodies; its survival is at
stake. Others with whom we remain in dialogue have firmly reasserted
classical Christian teaching on these matters. Some of our own member
churches have come to the brink of division or have lost members through
precipitate action.

It is acknowledged that this Executive is unlikely to give more satisfactory
answers than those which have resulted from long thought and discussion in
our churches; it desires only to sound a note of warning. It takes with
complete seriousness the issues involved, scriptural and doctrinal, medical
and ethical. It urges the churches to apply their energies and best minds to
the challenges, as we all seek God's light. It urges the churches to
endeavour to preserve the bond of peace and love with all their members. But
it equally urges the member churches to hold firmly to the centrality of
Scripture, to the long Christian tradition of teaching on the order of
creation, on marriage and family life, and to exercise immense care as they
face choices which could threaten the unity of congregations and churches.

Adopted by the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
September 17,2004
********************

United Methodist News Service