Pastoral Response to the Special Session of General Conference
As you have likely heard, the special session of our denomination’s General Conference met this week to address several options to address our differences as United Methodists with regards to the full inclusion of LGBTQ members - specifically in the areas of marriage and ordination.
We are a global church and we are not of the same mind when it comes to this so many expected this special session of General Conference to be a difficult one. And it was. After a narrow vote, the option known as the Traditional Plan passed even though some of its components had been ruled unconstitutional by our judicial council. Other parts of this plan are still under review and what is ruled constitutional will go into effect in January of 2020. The Traditional Plan maintains our current restrictions on same sex marriage and ordination and adds enforcement measures for pastors, district superintendents and bishops who do not honor these restrictions.
For our LGBTQ members and our members who have family and friends who identify as LGBTQ this vote was incredibly hurtful. For United Methodists who believe our Book of Discipline when it says that the church should fully welcome and embrace all persons because all people are made in the image of God and have sacred worth - this vote was disheartening. They find it hard to understand why some are denied access to marriage or ordination of everyone is made in the image of God and has sacred worth. And even some who voted for the Traditional Plan are dismayed at the pain this vote caused so many. This has been a difficult and challenging week for United Methodists.
To help us understand in detail what occurred at General Conference and to address any questions you might have, we offered a forum on Sunday during our Sunday school hour. Our bishop and district superintendent will also be here on March 27 at 6:30 pm to provide more information and address questions.
At this point, I want to pause and affirm a fundamental truth about this congregation - we have always welcomed everyone and we will continue to do so. That is who we are here at St Matthew’s. As a pastor, I have always welcomed everyone and I will continue to do so. As United Methodists we affirm that all persons (regardless of their ethnicity, religious background or sexual orientation) are made in the image or God and have sacred worth. We will continue to be a church for all people and welcome everyone who comes through the doors. We will continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
There won't be any major changes right away. We will keep everyone posted and plan for the future together. In the meantime, don't let anything get in the way of loving your neighbor. Pray for our church and our denomination. Pray for all those who are in pain or feeling anger or grief at the moment. Be kind and loving toward those with whom you may disagree.
I suggest that we follow the General Rules that the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, set down for us:
Do no harm: Avoid speaking ill of anyone and treat everyone with compassion and empathy.
Do good: See who is hurting or troubled in your midst and offer them comfort. Actively look for opportunities to help others.
Stay in love with God: No matter our differences, the one thing that holds us together as a church is Christ. When we come together to worship and serve God we are brought closer together. Come to worship, take Communion, pray and study the Bible together. Let God be at work among us!
In Christ,
John