Bishops Release Rulings of Law on Ordinations, Finances

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Echoes of actions against the Traditional Plan at 2019 annual conferences sessions continue to reverberate across U.S. United Methodism.

On July 9, two bishops released their rulings of law on annual conference actions related to the UMC's stances regarding LGBTQ+ persons.

Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference posted her ruling on the conference website. Her ruling responded to three challenges from the Rev. Robert Barnes about the clergy session vote to approve the commissioning of T.C. Morrow as an ordained deacon and the ordination of Joey Heath-Mason as an elder in full connection. Rev. Barnes challenged whether the clergy session, by approving the entire 2019 class of candidates, including Ms. Morrow and Mr. Heath-Mason, by a one collective vote, violated the Book of Discipline. Bishop Easterling ruled that the vote was lawful.

Bishop Laurie Haller of the Iowa Annual Conference rendered a split decision on a challenge by the Rev. John Gaulke regarding ministry funding. The resolution would have prioritized funding for conference ministries and mission over that of investigations and trials about the LGBTQ+ bans in the Book of Discipline. The resolution also included a paragraph urging the Iowa conference to apologize for the harm to LGBTQ+ people caused by the adoption of the Traditional Plan. Bishop Haller ruled that the funding provision was out of order, but that the “aspirational” paragraph regarding harm to LGBTQ+ people could remain.

Both bishops’ rulings are expected to be reviewed by the Judicial Council when it meets in October.

How they did it in Minnesota

On the Uniting Methodists website, the Rev. Carol Zaagsma describes how the Minnesota Annual Conference came up with two documents, one condemning the Traditional Plan and a second, aspirational statement. Both documents were drafted initially by an ad hoc group, Minnesota Methodists, which then held collaborative discussions to refine them before the 2019 annual conference session.

Rev. Zaagsman writes, “We envision a Methodism rooted in Jesus, grounded in Wesleyan theology, inclusive of all persons, and engaged in the work of justice and reconciliation.” Read her full essay at Uniting Methodists.

British Methodists eye same-sex marriage

British Methodists have passed provisional resolutions related to proposals on marriage and relationships including allowing same-sex couples to marry in Methodist churches, United Methodist News Service has reported. A final vote will come in 2020.

Meanwhile, there's no telling yet whether the proposals have distressed the Church of England, whose bishops have proposed that the Anglicans delay a pending “common ministry” agreement with the Methodists, according to Church Times, an Anglican news journal. Read British Methodist press release. Read Church Times article.

Reconciling Ministries reports increased membership

Reconciling Ministries Network reported increase in membership by both individuals and congregations and faith communities. According to its newsletter: “RMN has experienced a surge in growth of individual Reconciling United Methodists and Reconciling Churches and Communities. Since February 23, 2019, 117 new Reconciling Churches and Communities and almost 5,700 new RUMs have joined the movement for LGBTQ justice and inclusion in the Church, signaling a renewed commitment to the charge we are given as United Methodists.”

Media Mentions as of July 9, 2019

Some NC churches won't follow United Methodist LGBTQ marriage rule – CBS17.com

Some Churches Won't Follow United Methodist Marriage Rule – U.S. News & World Report

[South African Leader] Boesak speaks on homophobia and the churches – Berea Mail

Some churches won't follow United Methodist marriage rule – Corvallis Gazette Times

A divided United Methodist Church wrestles with possible split – AberdeenNews.com

Westlake church embraces gay founding member – Austin American-Statesman