Seeing a Way Forward: Bishop Harvey

September 6, 2018

4:37 PM

Bishop Harvey Video

Video image of Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey courtesy of United Methodist News Service.

Many United Methodists feel anxiety as the denomination heads toward the special General Conference on Feb. 23-26, 2019.

Louisiana Area Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, president-designate of the Council of Bishops, offers her thoughts on where we are as a church. Harvey spoke with UM News as part of a video series featuring different perspectives of church leaders on the work of the Commission on a Way Forward.

Watch videos.'God will do a new thing' As United Methodists head into the 2019 Special General Conference, Louisiana Area Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey says it’s important for church leaders to assure their members that God is in control.

'A heart of peace' As The United Methodist Church approaches this major legislative gathering that will determine the future of the denomination, Bishop Harvey hopes all sides coming to the table don’t consider themselves to be gearing up for battle.

'I want them to have a church like I know’ Bishop Harvey hopes General Conference delegates consider the kind of legacy they can leave to future United Methodists.

Self and spiritual care is important United Methodist bishops have a lot on their plate as the church approaches major legislative gatherings that will determine the future of the denomination. Bishop Harvey shares some of the ways she takes care of both body and spirit during such a hectic time.

Thoughts on the One Church Plan “While the One Church Plan isn’t perfect, it’s the one that comes the closest” to including everyone on all sides of the church’s debate on homosexuality Bishop Harvey says. The United Methodist Council of Bishops has endorsed the One Church Plan, which allows decisions about whether to ordain LGBTQ clergy or to officiate at same-gender unions to be made closer to the local level.

‘Can we be in covenant and not agree?’ Bishop Harvey says one of the most unique aspects of United Methodism is the room for differing interpretations of Scripture while still reaching people for Jesus Christ. With decisions approaching affecting the future of the church, Harvey hopes United Methodists can continue to remain together in mission while not agreeing on everything.

This is the first in a series of video interviews by United Methodist News Service.

Comments (6)

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Loving Bishop, but to find a higher level of naivete’, we must visit a children’s day-care center…

Such an obviously good servant of the UMC and its members, and I’m betting she has gumbo skills to rival any chef on TV, but her naivete’ is both sweet and irrelevant. Is a Bishop not supposed to be a rock on which the believers build? Seems this rock, Bishop Harvey, has endorsed “sand” as the future; the shifting, the “do whatever feels good, but stay in the UMC plan.” The “One Church” plan is a “Whatever” plan which ignores, in fact, obliterates, those common sense and moral rules our mommas and daddies taught us.
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“Gumbo”, metaphically speaking, is a mixture of many good things, slowly simmered together, spiced just right, and served with love. While gumbo might be a mixture, certain rules still apply in it's preparation which are non-negotiable – as in spiritual life – we can welcome a wide mixture into our church pews, but the rules must remain or the gumbo does not turn out right; watered down, over-cooked, over-spiced, scorched, spoiled... Rules must be followed!
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The rules of thousands of years, over many cultures, many religions, have remained constant on certain issues of life. Bishop Harvey ignores the basic recipe we have followed for generations, in favor of this new “fusion” style of religion which has become popular among liberals, millennials, and non-believers who just want to use our church as a tool against us. Y’all get out of my kitchen!

Reese more than 7 years ago

Love vs. obedience

Many years ago, before the current vexing divisions in the UMC came about, I read an article describing American Protestantism being divided into two parts: the church of love and the church of obedience. Specific geographic regions were identified with these. It would seem this observation still holds true today. There are basic cultural differences in the US and many of these have been traced to the original founding colonialists centuries ago. [See "American Nations" by Colin Woodward] It is unlikely these differences will be overcome anytime soon. Perhaps it is time for the northern/western and southern churches to go their own ways. The merger of the ME Church South with the ME Church was probably a historical mistake.

David more than 7 years ago

Being Obedient Shows our Love

It seems to me that being an obedient church is how we show God our love for him. Being disobedient takes us away from God and into sin. So, I would argue you can’t be a church of love without being an obedient church.

Your loving brother in Christ,
Steve

Steve more than 7 years ago

Bishop loses sight of what is important

Bishop Harvey,

Including everyone on all sides of the homosexuality issue should not be a factor on the way forward. Unity or compromise or full inclusion are non-factors. The UMC needs to look at what the Bible soclearly tells us. That results in keeping the BOD language as is and enacting the Traditionalist Plan. Anything less and our UMC has once again abandoned the laity and shirked their responsibility to stand for what is right, not just what might be most appealing (and better ensure clergy retirement). The Councilof Bishops should be ashamed of themselves for considering and endorsing the One Church Plan.

Your Loving Brother in Christ,
Steve

Steve more than 7 years ago

Confusion

I honestly don't believe the bishops know what to do in this situation. Frankly, much of the laity doesn't know what to do either. Society has moved so fast on this issue and the culture has dramatically shifted in the last decade on same-sex relationships, it has left many heads spinning. The cultural elite in this country have turned on those who they don't believe have "caught up" to them in their understanding. It's a shame because there are many good people on both sides of this issue. The Bible is clear on the practice of homosexuality; however, I believe a huge problem for those wanting to schism over this issue is the lack of focus on the sins of the heterosexual. Our pews and pulpits are filled with the divorced, those continuing to sin, while scapegoating homosexuals. It's just not right. It places me in a position where I want to join a church where this debate isn't happening, where sin is not being weighed against sin, it's all sin.

Daniel more than 7 years ago

we all sin

yea Daniel we all sin each and every day, but for this heterosexual I don't justify my sin by saying that's the way God made me so it is ok. I call my sin well sin and try to move away from it, but I certainly don't try and promote or justify it by getting others to agree that my sin is ok or normal just so I feel good about it....logically that make no sense.

Billy more than 7 years ago