The most clear and consistent through-line from General Conference is that our denominational leadership is committed to ensuring there is more room at the table. There are plenty of things about which United Methodists around the world disagree; our disagreements have defined the last 50 plus years of General Conference. What we saw this year was a firm commitment to shift our focus away from the things we disagree about and toward the mission of disciple making for Jesus Christ that unites us all. Our leadership showed through their conversations and their votes that we want to unite around the essentials of our faith and practice, while embracing and developing room for the regional and contextual differences through which the gospel can flourish more completely around the world.
The most newsworthy of the changes made was a return by our denomination to neutrality regarding same gender marriage and relationships. In 1972, language was added to the Book of Discipline that developed over the years into rules prohibiting UMC congregations from hosting same gender weddings, annual conferences from ordaining openly gay or lesbian clergy, and pastors from performing same gender weddings. Each of those prohibitions was removed this year and protections were added to clarify that no church or pastor should be punished for their personal convictions in either direction. Perhaps most significantly, almost all relevant legislative changes were passed by 70% or more of the votes (with a few over 90%). The spirit of making room at the table for all was very evident, not just in what was decided, but in how it took place.
For our local congregation, those changes mean that there is no longer a clear or required denominational stance regarding whether or not we would host a same gender wedding or receive an openly gay or lesbian clergy person. The Leadership Board is ultimately responsible for deciding what we will or won’t do, which is why we need your feedback!
We spoke briefly at our 5/14 meeting and emphasized that we want to take a breath, listen to our church family, and ensure that we find the healthiest next steps for our congregation. If you have strong feelings in any direction, please reach out to me or to a Board member asap. We plan to listen as much as possible over the next month, develop a draft statement or policy in our June 17th meeting, listen again for your feedback, and make a final determination at our July 15th meeting.
Current Board members: Robin Snoek (chair), Tootsie Crutchfield, Jim Balfanz, Josh Ortego, Hank Hamilton, Janie Melton, Henry Joyner, Jim McNeill, Marianne Kondo
My hope throughout this process is that we will continue to move forward in the same spirit I’ve experienced since arriving and the same spirit so obviously present at General Conference - a spirit of peace that reminds us there is more than enough room for all at God’s table. Reach out anytime and continue to pray for the church and the foundation God continues to strengthen beneath our feet!
For more details on what happened, click here for a summary pdf.
We hosted a time of prayer and reflection to share more about what happened and what it all means. The recording can be viewed here (the audio is unfortunately not great, but it was a meaningful and informative time together).