Christy Thomas
GC2019 Thoughtful Pastor Plenary
We’ve had a fascinating day.
After what looked like a lot of deliberate slowing of the procedures in the first session, the Judicial Council delivered their report.
A summary: they found substantive portions – two-thirds of it, in fact – of the Traditional Plan unconstitutional and/or illegal.
After that pronouncement, The Rev. Tom Berlin gave an appeal to replace the punitive and gay-unfriendly Traditional Plan with the One Church Plan that gives space for clergy, churches, Bishops, districts and Annual Conferences to follow their conscience. This led to a solemn moment of prayer and then the vote.
The delegates had to decide to keep working on the constitutionally-impaired Traditional Plan (which will surely be thrown out after the Conference) and leave the church smeared with the name “anti-gay” in public perception or give space and freedom of conscience with the One Church Plan.
I admit to sweaty palms and my hands were shaking.
And the delegates spoke: “Gays, get out.” Well, not true. It’s “Gays, we love you, but you are not in conformance with the Bible. I, ever so holy, get to judge you that you are just not quite good enough. Clean up your act and the doors will swing wide open.”
“Oh, and in the meantime, I can sleep around and watch pornography and grab power and demean other people and no one will EVER accuse me of doing things that are not consistent with Christian practice.”
Yes, the Traditional Plan was voted to stay alive and on the floor. Once more, the One Church Plan was voted down.
I have been predicting this outcome, effectively a takeover of the UMC by the far right, for some time. Doesn’t keep me from grieving, groaning inside, hoping the Holy Spirit can find words to intercede for me because I can’t pray right now.
Let’s think about the dynamics of the UMC here. A large percentage of the U. S. church is either centrist or progressive. The US church covers the vast majority of the worldwide budget of the church, perhaps 98% of it. Ponder that.
The African “Interpret the Bible MY way”/”Southern Baptists in United Methodist Clothing” coalition comprise about 55% of the worldwide church but are perhaps, maybe, a generous 25% of the budget. Let’s assume that the rest of us no longer want to be controlled by the Southern Baptists in UMC clothing” and the “Interpret the Bible MY way” African coalition and say, “OK, it’s all yours. Name, insignia, structure. Bye, Bye.”
Now, first, the General Boards and Agencies will be decimated because the “SB’s in UMC clothing/Bible my way African” coalition has no interest in that kind of connectional work. Furthermore, Wespath has already made it clear in their report that, should the Traditional Plan pass, it will cause havoc with our shared pension system. Our retired clergy, many of whom live with sparse means already, will suffer greatly.
The rest of the U. S. church will form a new denomination, and accept the ordinations of the formerly United Methodist Clergy. That’s always a possibility.
BUT, things are getting interesting on the floor. Late this morning, a delegate asked for an amendment to petition number 90032,
Here’s how Petition number 90032, written by the (apparently) gay-fearing Tom Lambrecht, reads now:
“Self-avowed practicing homosexual” is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual; or is 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.” [Should the person admit this, he/she may not serve as ordained clergy in the wider reading of the whole plan.]
\The delegate wanted to amend that petition with this addition:
“AND is either living in an adulterous relationship, a polyamorous relationship or in any deviation from the civil definition of marriage.”
Personally, I think they should add as well “and ever uses pornography and was not a virgin on his/her wedding night and has ever spilled his sperm anywhere except in a vagina.” But, that’s just my opinion.
Anyway, the final vote: A “no thanks” hypocrisy exposed vote. Other’s people’s sexual activities are wrong, but I get to keep mine.
More and more speeches have taken hard aim at the giant hypocrisy of the supposedly “Bible-following without question” group. Among other things, the Rev. Adam Hamilton called upon the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA), the schismatic group that is behind the punitive Traditional Plan] members to give up their pensions because the Bible clearly says, “Do not store up treasure on earth, but in heaven.”
This afternoon could easily stay interesting. Keep watching twitter feeds (#GC2019, #UMCGC2019, #UMC, and UMInsight and I’ll update as I can.
But the “sure they are righteous” have, at least momentarily, prevailed. The future of UMC appears to be firmly in their hands, nearly completely. I can guess at some of the fallout from this and know it won’t be pretty. In other words, prepare “Prepare for the implosion.”
The Rev. Dr. Christy Thomas serves as special correspondent to General Conference for United Methodist Insight.