Author Topic: Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church  (Read 679 times)

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Offline Sanguine

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Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church
« on: February 27, 2019, 07:47:47 pm »
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The mainline denomination voted on Tuesday to toughen its teachings against homosexuality, same-sex marriage, and LGBTQ clergy. It must now decide whether it will stay together.

Emma Green

Feb 26, 2019

The United Methodist Church has fractured over the role of LGBTQ people in the denomination. At a special conference in St. Louis this week, convened specifically to address divisions over LGBTQ issues, members voted to toughen prohibitions on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy. This was a surprise: The denomination’s bishops, its top clergy, pushed hard for a resolution that would have allowed local congregations, conferences, and clergy to make their own choices about conducting same-sex marriages and ordaining LGBTQ pastors. This proposal, called the “One Church Plan,” was designed to keep the denomination together. Methodist delegates rejected its recommendations, instead choosing the so-called Traditional Plan, which affirmed the denomination’s teachings against homosexuality.

This is a consequential vote for the future of the United Methodist Church: Many progressive churches will now almost certainly consider leaving the denomination. It’s also a reminder that many Christian denominations, including mainline groups such as the UMC, are still deeply divided over questions of sexuality and gender identity. While the UMC in the United States is roughly evenly divided between those who identify as traditionalists and those who identify as moderates and liberals, it is also a global organization. Many of the growing communities in the Philippines or countries in Africa are committed to theological teachings against same-sex relationships and marriages.
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https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/02/united-methodists-fracture-lgbt-plan-rejected/583693/?utm_source=feed

Offline thackney

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Re: Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2019, 09:24:15 pm »
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...In a poll of its American members, the denomination found that 44 percent of respondents described their religious beliefs as traditional or conservative, 28 percent said they are moderate or centrist, and 20 percent identified as progressive or liberal....

UMC BKMK
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Offline thackney

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Re: Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2019, 09:27:39 pm »
and I almost forgot about this:

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...And the debate came to an abrupt halt: Delegates had to clear out of the conference hall so that it could be turned over for a monster-truck rally....
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Online roamer_1

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Re: Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2019, 09:29:35 pm »
GOOD ON EM!

Offline thackney

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Re: Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2019, 09:31:21 pm »
A good summary of this vote:

The definition of self-avowed practicing homosexual now includes people living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union, or is a person who publicly states she or he is a practicing homosexual. (Petition 1, 90032, Calendar Item 18)

Bishops are prohibited from consecrating bishops who are self-avowed homosexuals even if they have been elected.  Bishops are prohibited from commissioning or ordaining those on the deacon or elder track if the BOOM has determined the individual is a self-avowed practicing homosexual.  (Petition 5, 90036, Calendar Item 4)

Board of ordained minsitry members must certify to the bishop that they will uphold the Book of Discipline in its entirety including but not limited to all qualifications for ordination (Par. 304, 330, 335, 336) (Petition 6, 90037, Calendar Item 6)

The minimum penalty if someone is convicted of conducting ceremonies or same-sex weddings is one-year suspension without pay (first offense), and termination (second offense) (Petition 11, 90042, Calendar Item 11)

The district committees on ordained ministry and conference boards of ordained ministry shall not approve or recommend persons who does not meet the qualifications of Par. 304.1-3after full examination and the bishop shall rule any unqualified candidate so recommended out or order (Petition 12, 90043, Calendar Item 12)

Bishops can only dismiss complaints against a clergy if the complaint has no basis in law and the reason for dismissal must be shared with the complaintant (Petition 13, 90044, Calendar Item 13)

Just Resolutions must state all identified harms and how they will be addressed by the complainant. The second sentence that was found unconstitutional required that “if the respondent acknowledges action(s) that are a clear violation of the provisions of the Discipline” to commit “not to repeat the action(s).” (Petition 14, 90045, Calendar Item 14)

A new requirement is added that the complainant(s) to be a party to the just resolution process and that every effort shall be made to have the complainant(s) agree to the resolution (Petition 15, 90046, Calendar Item 15)

The Church can appeal a case against a clergy based on egregious errors of law to the committee on appeals and then to the Judicial Council.  If there is jury nullification, the church has recourse to prosecute. (Petition 16, 90047, Calendar Item 17)

https://peopleneedjesus.net/2019/02/27/gc2019-update-5/?fbclid=IwAR1RnHSZWMrnahq9d8O4RDnO73IRPU2tfCPrwYCUD4CMmLxxIn2vEsOe20w
« Last Edit: February 27, 2019, 09:32:39 pm by thackney »
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Online roamer_1

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Re: Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2019, 09:36:45 pm »
Albert Mohler has quite an inside take on this... It is international Methodists, primarily in the Philippines and Africa that are swelling the ranks of conservatives in the church, and the liberals pushing the point are doing it now, because international conservative Methodists are growing - Something like 40% of the vote on their own...

It is absolutely amazing that the Methodists - One of the most liberal of the mainline branches - The Methodists put their foot down. Brllliant.

Offline jmyrlefuller

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Re: Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2019, 09:44:52 pm »
This lifelong Methodist applauds.
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Offline dfwgator

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Re: Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2019, 09:52:38 pm »
Albert Mohler has quite an inside take on this... It is international Methodists, primarily in the Philippines and Africa that are swelling the ranks of conservatives in the church, and the liberals pushing the point are doing it now, because international conservative Methodists are growing - Something like 40% of the vote on their own...

 

It's why I've been saying that we need an African Pope,  they are the most conservative Catholics.

Offline verga

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Re: Conservative Christians Just Retook the United Methodist Church
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2019, 04:33:33 pm »
Good for them
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