Confirmands refusal
The 2019 Confirmation class of First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska issued this letter to the congregation explaining why the eight students decided not to take United Methodist membership vows. This photo has been cropped to protect the names of the individuals at the church's request. (First UMC Omaha Facebook photo)
The affirmation of most of the Traditional Plan by the United Methodist Judicial Council on April 26 has brought swift new expressions of resistance, but few have stirred as much emotion as the witness of a group of confirmands at First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Neb., who have refused church membership because of the 2019 General Conference actions.
First-Omaha posted the following on its Facebook site:
“Today, April 28th, 2019 was Confirmation Sunday. A tradition at First United Methodist Church of Omaha where we recognize the Confirmation Class in their achievement of completing their coursework, and welcome them as full members of the church.
“However, today was unlike previous Confirmation Sundays. Today, united in their passion, advocacy, and intelligence, our 2019 Confirmation Class announced their decision to postpone joining the United Methodist Church.”
After thanking everyone who has helped them along their faith journey, the young people wrote:
“We have spent the year learning about our faith and clarifying our believes. Most of us started the confirmation year assuming that we would join the church at the end. But with the action of the general conference in February, we are disappointed about the direction the United Methodist denomination is hearing. We are concerned that if we join at this time, we will be sending a message that we approve of this decision. We want to be clear that, while we love our congregation, we believe that the United Methodist policies on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage are immoral. Depending on how this church responds to the general conference action, we will continue to stand up against the unjust actions that the denomination is taking. We are not standing just for ourselves; we are standing for every single member of the LGBTQ+ community who is hurting right now. Because we were raised in this church, we believe that if we all stand together as a whole, we can make a difference.”
The letter was signed by eight confirmands. Because they're minors, their names are being kept confidential by United Methodist Insight at the church's request.
Bishops issue pastoral letters on legal rulings
Bishops across the United States have issues statements to their annual conferences in the wake of the Judicial Council ruling upholding the bulk of the Traditional Plan.
Bishop Minerva Carcaño (Sacramento, Calif., Area), concluded that a lack of commitment to love, not views on sexuality, are behind the UMC’s declining membership.
“There are those among us who are saying that the Judicial Council decisions now free us to move ahead. The decisions have been made, accept it and move on they say. These friends tend to be the same persons who unequivocally state that The United Methodist Church has been in decline for generations because of the debate over the full inclusion or the exclusion of our LGBTQ children and siblings. That we have been in decline is true, but it is not as simple as some would assume.
“Conservatives have left because they don’t want to be part of a church where they have to deal with gay persons. Gay persons have also left because who would want to be part of a church where you are told in so many ways that you are unacceptable, less-than, incompatible with the very Word of God that they have placed their faith in! Many of their family members have left with them. Somehow, we forget to count them in the numbers of those who have departed, pushed out of the church. Post General Conference 2019 there are now those who consider themselves centrists who are also leaving. They are leaving because they are tired of a church that has made who one loves the litmus test of faithfulness.
“Can we not see it? Our decline is not because of the long struggle over the matter of human sexuality. I believe it is because of the lack of commitment to the greatest commandments to love God and to love our neighbor. How can love for God be true when we reject those whom God has also created and called good? And how can love for neighbor be authentic when we say to our LGBTQ children and siblings that they are not worthy of the fullness of love just as God has created them? The exclusion of LGBTQ persons is but one broken place in the life of our church, but it reveals to the core of our life together our lack of love for God and neighbor. Truly loving God and authentically loving neighbor is what will reverse our decline and allow us to grow into the faithful and fruitful church that God calls us to be.”
Bishop Sally Dyck (Chicago Area) said she is “disappointed” in The United Methodist Church.
“Most importantly, I want to say again (as I did after the Special Session of the General Conference concluded) that I am deeply disappointed that The United Methodist Church has less inclusive of all people. The harsh penalization and limitations set within the Traditional Plan give little space for those of us who have deeply held convictions based on scripture, tradition, reason, and experience that includes all God’s people.
“I fully recognize that many in our annual conference are relieved that traditional marriage has been affirmed and that there are restrictions on who can be in ministry. And while we may disagree, I am still in ministry with you! Our agreement on human sexuality is not the basis of our faith, ministry, or mission; the basis of our faith, ministry, and mission is in Jesus Christ.
“I agree with those who say it has become clear we need to find a different way to be together so that we no longer harm each other. Therefore, I urge that we do not do anything that will jeopardize the ministry of others as we move toward a more gracious place and future with one another. The verse that comes to mind for me is: ‘Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be…’ (1 John 3:2).”
Bishop Bob Hoshibata (Phoenix, Ariz., Area) wrote: “Clearly, we remain a deeply divided church about matters related to the inclusion of our LGBTQIA siblings in the church, the community, and the world. We are conflicted about how we hold each other accountable and how we move into the future, perhaps united and together or perhaps divided and apart. I am moved by many conversations I have had with persons of solid faith and character representing the whole theological spectrum who have shared that although we think differently, we can and should work together in unity of mission for the sake of our call by Jesus Christ. But from others I am also seeing and feeling the excitement and perhaps the inevitability of something new and exciting emerging from the rubble of The United Methodist Church.
“At this moment, no one knows what our future is going to be. There are many conversations taking place in different groups and among various leaders throughout the world. There are huge differences of thought separating those who favor stricter enforcement of what they understand to be a Biblical prohibition against LGBTQIA persons and those on the opposite side of the theological spectrum who find those enforcements to be punitive and thus embrace a much wider interpretation of the Biblical mandate to love one another as Jesus loved us. And there are a great many whose thoughts about human sexuality and Biblical interpretation are somewhere in between those two poles.”
Bishop David Alan Bard (Michigan Areas): "Many LGBTQ persons, their families and friends, find this stance hurtful and harmful. In addition, the legislation passed and now found constitutional adds specifications to the complaint process that some view as deeply punitive. Some among us, then, had the feelings of disappointment, hurt and discouragement felt immediately following General Conference reawakened. Others among us believe that the church in these decisions is being faithful to the long-standing witness of the Bible and the church. Such diverse responses reveal starkly the depth of our divisions."
Bishop Karen Oliveto (Mountain Sky Area) pledged to continue to practice inclusiveness:
“While parts of the Traditionalist Plan were found unconstitutional, the parts that remain are an affront to many in our annual conference who have had the experience of receiving God’s love through the lives and ministries of LGBTQ people. The mandatory penalties belie the grace that has always been a foundation of our United Methodist tradition, which expressed itself in seeking just resolution and reconciliation rather than legalistic rules and punishments.
“As your bishop, I will continue to ensure that all people who seek to follow Jesus—regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, abilities, ethnicity, theological orientation, class, or language spoken will continue to find a safe home in our Mountain Sky churches.
“Jesus told his followers, “You shall know them by their fruits.” I will continue to appoint clergy on the basis of their faithfulness to God’s call and the fruits their ministry bears.
“I will continue to support all our churches, no matter where they are on the theological spectrum, and seek to ensure that our conference resources are used to help them be vital mission outposts, sharing the life-giving, life-changing love of Christ with their communities in tangible ways.
“Our conference will work to make sure that our young people have both straight and LGBTQ role models and mentors so they can grow up in a loving and accepting environment.”
Media Mentions as of April 29, 2019
Plan with LGBT bans OK'd by United Methodist judicial panel – The Boston Globe
United Methodist judicial panel approves plan with LGBTQ bans – Atlanta Journal Constitution
United Methodist court upholds Traditional Plan's ban on LGBTQ clergy, same sex marriage – National Catholic Reporter
Plan with LGBT bans OK'd by United Methodist panel – Alton Telegraph
Drag performance held at NC church to protest UMC leadership – WSPA.com
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: April 29, 2019 – Human Rights Campaign (blog)
Loving a church that doesn't love us – Wicked Local
American churches must reject literalism and admit we got it wrong on gay people – USA TODAY
United Methodist court upholds Traditional Plan’s ban on LGBTQ clergy, same sex marriage Religion News Service
United Methodist Church Judicial Council rules parts of Traditional Plan constitutional –The Simpsonian
United Methodist Court Keeps Core of New LGBT Legislation – ChristianityToday.com
Methodist top court affirms LGBT restrictions – Minneapolis Star Tribune
Plan with LGBT bans OK'd by United Methodist judicial panel – Fox News
Will LGBT Opposition Divide the United Methodist Church? – Liberty Headlines
'It doesn't have to be about hate' –Santa Fe New Mexican
Death or new life for the Methodist Church? – Cape Cod Times
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.