Bishops Hold Information Sessions as Defiance of General Conference Action Strengthens

UPDATED MARCH 15

A New York Times investigation into allegations of improper voting at the 2019 General Conference has sparked a church inquiry into credentialing at the global legislative assembly Feb. 23-26 in St. Louis, Mo. Among the Times' findings, one of the improperly seated voters was the son of Bishop Kisap Owan of South Congo. Church officials said that at least two such voters were identified, prompting a review of the credentialing process. In addition to the following links, see Heather Hahn's story for United Methodist News Service here on Insight.

Improper Voting Discovered at Methodist Vote on Gay Clergy

United Methodist Church investigating voting irregularities at summit that bolstered LGBT bans - CNN

The UMC in Denmark considers 'a better way forward'

From UM & Global: "Ole Birch, a pastor in the Denmark Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church has suggested that body appoint a commission to recommend 'a better way forward' for the UMC in Denmark. While Birch's suggestion is just that – a suggestion – it reveals the range of options that may be under consideration in Denmark following the adoption of the Traditional Plan by the special General Conference 2019. Read the full post on UM & Global.

More media reports on GC2019 aftermath:

In the United Methodist Church's divide over LGBTQ issues, there is no hatred, only a lamentable ... – cleveland.com

United Methodist Church faces backlash from local congregations – UI The Daily Iowan

United Methodist vote has churches' future in question – Issaquah Reporter, Bellevue, Wash.

United Methodist Church probes voting irregularities over LGBT policy – PinkNews

The great divide – WORLD News Group, Asheville, NC

Methodists face a split – Idaho State Journal

UPDATED MARCH 14

More United Methodist bishops have announced briefing sessions to inform church members and clergy about General Conference 2019.

Bishop Peggy Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa., Area) will hold a special town hall meeting from 10 a.m. to noon March 16, at West Lawn UMC in Reading, Pa., to report on the UMC’s Special Called General Conference, held in St. Louis in February. The event will be livestreamed via West Lawn UMC's website. She will review the process and outcomes of the global legislative gathering and the outlook for the future. That outlook may appear hazy to many because much of what was approved by majority votes must undergo Judicial Council examination and rulings for constitutionality.

In Northern Illinois, Bishop Sally Dyck will hold three debriefings across the Conference:

• Saturday, March 30 at 9:30 am - Orland Park: Faith UMC, 15101 S 80th Ave., Orland Park.
• Saturday, March 30 at 2 pm - Barrington UMC, 98 Algonquin Rd., Barrington.
• Sunday, March 31 at 3 pm - Oregon UMC, 200 S. 4th St., Oregon.

Media coverage continues: 

The United Methodist meeting offered no clear way forward. What now?  – The Christian Century (blog)

The “Untied” Methodist Church – The Oracle

Loving a church that doesn't love us – San Diego Gay & Lesbian News

Commentary: Church vote disappoints, spurs action – Carolinacoastonline

Area United Methodist Clergy Speak Out – YubaNet

Rebellion in the United Methodist Church – Alton Telegraph

'Nothing changes here,' local Methodists vie for LGBTQ rights – The Daily Herald

Your Turn: LGBTQ people and the United Methodist Church – Napa Valley Register

Recent UMC decision sparks debate among local church leaders and LGBTQ activists – WJAC Johnstown

LETTER: Note to Methodist Church: You can't have it both ways – Lexington Dispatch

Letters to the Editor: United Methodist Church sticks to biblical beliefs over popular opinion – Montgomery Advertiser

Local United Methodist pastors on church's LGBTQ decisions: 'We are sorry' – Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

'Love Is Love' LGBTQ Event Is a First for Downtown FC – Falls Church News Press

UPDATED MARCH 13

Reactions to General Conference 2019 results continue to reverberate through U. S. United Methodism into other denominations and countries.

University church pastor opposes Traditional Plan

The Rev. John Elford, senior pastor of University UMC on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin, told the student newspaper The Daily Texan that he and his congregation reject The Traditional Plan. The article says, in part:

“University church senior pastor John Elford said the recent decision goes against Methodist teachings on acceptance. “It creates a second-class citizen in the church,” Elford said. “It’s like you’re not a full Christian, and you can’t do all the things that the rest of us can do. We think that’s wrong.” Elford said he has been speaking to local pastors about resisting this decision. He plans to perform same-sex marriages in the University church, even if it will result in the suspension of his clergy order.”

Union Seminary sets up ‘Queer Faith’

Multi-denomminational Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University in New York City has responded to the GC2019 vote by setting up a section on its website called “Queer Faith.” The seminary gave this introduction: “After the United Methodist Church voted to entrench its rejection of LGBTQ people, the pain in our community was palpable. We knew we had to respond. We could talk about how homophobic theology is damaging. We could condemn bigotry masquerading as God-talk. But that’s not the story we see every day at Union. We see a vibrant queer, community of faith—alive and flourishing. We see radical love that transcends every sinful boundary humans create. And we thought we’d tell that story instead, in their own voices.”

More apportionment escrow eyed

Another congregation, Foundry UMC in Washington, has announced plans to review its options on withholding apportionments in protest of the adoption of The Traditional Plan. In a letter to the congregation, senior pastor the Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli disclosed that Foundry will pay some $307,000 this year to the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference. Of that amount, some $14,000 goes directly to the General Conference and the Episcopal Fund, but the senior pastor’s letter didn’t specify whether that was the amount under consideration for escrow. “We will absolutely fund the full legal defense of any of our clergy brought up on charges stemming from the actions of the General Conference,” Rev. Gaines-Cirelli wrote.

Washington bishop cites care for those hurt

Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling issued a pastoral letter to the Baltimore-Washington Conference in which she described some of the after-effects of General Conference action:

“In the aftermath of the Special Session, I and countless others have spent time talking people out of taking their lives, offering pastoral care to pastors and laity who have given serious consideration to walking away from the denomination and some from their faith. We have cried with them, prayed with them, and attempted to remind them that the General Conference is the law-making body of our denomination, but it is not the church. Quite often law and God’s grace find themselves at odds.”

She closed with: “Take heart, beloved, and do not place a period where God places a comma. God is not done with us yet!”

Younger delegates sought for GC2020

Reconciling United Methodists in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, known as BWARM, will meet March 16 at Asbury UMC in Arnold, Md., to strategize on electing a “fully progressive slate of delegates” to the 2020 General Conference in Minneapolis. Bishop Easterling and Jan Lawrence, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, will participate.

Iowa to livestream follow-up gathering

Members of the Iowa Conference GC2019 delegation and Bishop Laurie Haller will be present at the remaining two of three locations to debrief and answer questions about the 2019 General Conference. All laity and clergy are encouraged to attend whichever session is most convenient. The session from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on March 16 at New Hope UMC in Des Moines will be livestreamed. The last session will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on March 17 at Trinity UMC in Fort Dodge.

Opponents plan to blitz Upper New York session

Opponent of the Traditional Plan are organizing to blitz the March 17 gathering of Upper New York Conference with questions about how resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and UNY leadership plan to enforce the Book of Discipline fully. Among the questions being sent to the special session, which will be livestreamed to locations around the conference, are:

1. If we as a conference comply with the Traditional Plan, how do you recommend we seek increased accountability from churches that violate provisions in the Discipline in ways not related to human sexuality (ex. not participating in Special Sunday Offerings, not having a young adult on SPRC, not having a local chapter of United Methodist Women, not following sacramental doctrine, etc.)?
2. If we as a conference comply with the Traditional Plan, will you pursue charges against churches who have declared themselves Reconciling Congregations?
3. How does complying with the Traditional Plan help us fulfill our denomination’s mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” and our Annual Conference mission of “living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places”?

The group promoting the enforcement questions, Upper New York for Full Inclusion, also asked opponents to wear black to the streaming locations as a sign of mourning for the denomination in light of the Traditional Plan’s adoption.

Reconciling Ministries reports growth

Reconciling Ministries Network, one of the unofficial groups promoting LGBTQ inclusion, reports that some 2,000 individuals have joined since the 2019 General Conference closed Feb. 26. Data on new Reconciling Congregations and other groups will take longer to report, as the discernment process for local churches and groups takes several months.

Media reports gathered as of March 13:

OTHER VOICES: Western Nevada County's United Methodist clergy speak out in support of LGBTQIA – The Union of Grass Valley

'Our hearts are broken.' Phoenix pastor reacts to United Methodist Church schism – AZFamily

Churches should be radically inclusive – Owen Sound Sun Times, Canada

Austin’s Methodist leaders reject church’s stricter bans on gay marriage – Austin American-Statesman, Texas

On-campus University Methodist Church dissents to larger denomination’s restriction on LGBTQ clergy, same-sex marriage – The Daily Texan, University of Texas

TERRY MATTINGLY: Doing the global United Methodist math - Meridian Star, Meridian, Miss.

"Our church will stand on the right side of history": Pastor speaks out against same-sex marriage ban - CBS News, Fort Collins, Colo.

NC Methodists respond to historic summit on sexuality - North State Journal, North Carolina

Voices: The significance of the church outside the United States – Baptist Standard

Methodist churches nationwide are publicly rebelling against the denomination’s anti-LGBTQ stance – LGBTQ Nation

Tempe church decries vote affirming LGBT ban; local pastors react – Wrangler News, Tempe, Arizona

The 'Splainer: What happened at the United Methodist General Conference? – Religion News Service

Following decision, Methodists still 'talking' about LGBT issue – Daily Times Leader, West Point, NY

High Country reacts to UMC decision regarding LGBTQ community – Watauga Democrat, North Carolina

Methodist-affiliated schools feel impacts of United Methodist Church decision against inclusion of ... – The Campus, Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa.

Local reaction to UMC General Conference vote – The Mountaineer, Waynesville, NC

Same-sex exclusion dividing United Methodist Church – WISH-TV, Indianapolis, Ind.

Martinsville-area Methodists have mixed messages about UMC's vote – Martinsville Bulletin, Martinsville, Va.

LGBTQ Methodists on Whether the United Methodist Church Will Ever Affirm LGBTQ People – Rewire.News

UPDATED March 12

Rejection of the Traditional Plan continued to soak ever deeper into the United Methodist connection in the United States. Here are some of the latest developments as of March 12:

From the Skyland’s District, Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, United Methodist Women Leadership Team via its Facebook page:

“It is with heavy hearts we acknowledge the harm that occurred when the global church voted to adopt the traditional plan at the special session of General Conference on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. We believe that we are all sacred human beings, created in the image of God and the church is wrong to adopt such a plan. We apologize to our LGBTQIA sisters and brothers for the harm the church has inflicted on them for the past 45 years and once again on February 26. We believe the United Methodist Church has made a grave mistake in their adoption of this plan. We also disagree with women being underrepresented as General Conference delegates. According to the UMC’s Commission on the Status and Role of Women, while 57% of United Methodist’s are women only 36% of General Conference delegates attending and voting were women.

“To our LGBTQIA members and friends, we love you and believe God loves you, just the way you are. You were created in God’s image and you are God’s beloved.

“As United Methodist Women, we have been proud to share the collective stories about how UMW worked tirelessly, even changing the venue of our first Assembly so women of all colors could join together for this event. We are bold women. In our baptismal and membership vows we promised “to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever form it presents itself.” We continue to do that today with this statement and we vow to continue to work and advocate for full inclusion of all persons in the church.”

In North Carolina, high school senior Nina Dove, a member of First UMC in Waynesville, NC, wrote an opinion piece about her church’s response to the 2019 General Conference for the Smoky Mountain News: “The congregation I choose to belong to is one that fiercely loves, protects and celebrates each of its members. Our church not only opens its doors to everyone, but also walks out those doors to serve the larger community of Waynesville and beyond. Our church accepts and supports them completely and will continue to do so.” The church’s website includes a mission statement:"We welcome persons of every race, socioeconomic status, family make-up, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical ability, and faith history."

At Howard UMC in Howard, Pa., the church posted a photo on its Facebook page of a sign welcoming all with the caption: "We've had this old Reconciling sign for a few years, had to be taken in for the winter. Thought with everything going on in the United Methodist Church, would be a good time to bring it back out; to show who this church has been for quite a few years, and will continue to be, no matter the General Conference votes. All are welcome here; liberal, conservative, LGBTQ, straight- even Patriots fans! (though we might need to rethink that last one...)"

March 12 links to secular media news include the following:

I'm leaving the United Methodist Church and anyone who respects LGBT rights should, too – USA TODAY

Dilemma for Methodist Colleges – Inside Higher Ed

Area ministers concerned by UMC decision on homosexuality – Warren Tribune Chronicle

Letter: Nashville United Methodist will welcome all people – Brown County Democrat

Leaders of local Methodist churches reject ban of same-sex marriage, LGBTQ clergy – The Daily Freeman, Kingston, NY

Allendale United Methodist Church Pastor Will Continue Officiating Same-Sex Weddings – World Religion News

Methodists taught to love everyone as they love themselves, as God loves all His creations – The State

Chicagoans contemplate path forward after anti-LGBT church vote – Windy City Times

March 11

Resistance continued to strengthen against the strictures of the Traditional Plan adopted by the 2019 General Conference. Pledges of continued support for LGBTQIA people were augmented by official acts of defiance internationally and throughout the United States.

Topping the resistance this week, the Germany Central Conference's executive committee published a statement, "Holy Resistance," in which it refuses to abide by the Traditional Plan, calling it "unacceptable to our church." The United Methodist Constitution gives regions beyond the United States the authority to adapt or reject General Conference actions that don't meet their contexts, as long as they don't involve the constitution or other restricted church laws.

News of Germany's action was first reported by the Rev. Christopher Klaiber on the United Methodist clergy Facebook page:

Just returned from the Executive Committee of the German Central Conference (#UMC). We unanimously (including our conservative members) rejected the traditionalist plan. We won't implement it in Germany. It would have split our church and maybe destroyed Methodism in Germany, as it does on other places of the world. We will seek a way forward that can fully include homosexuals and conservatives. We didn't agree about the ethical questions. But we know, that Jesus wants us to stay together. And so we started a process, where we all won't seek to bring our own position to victory but will look for ways how people with different positions can be really at home in Church.

The German United Methodists' statement is posted in English: https://www.emk.de/…/190310-Botschaft_des_KV_wg_Traditional…More information and a video (in German) on the homepage of the UMC in Germany: https://www.emk.de/…/das-ringen-um-einen-weg-zur-bewahrung…/

Congregation escrows apportionments

King Avenue United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio, has posted updates on its website pledging continued support for LGBTQIA people and on "rethinking apportionments." The noice reads:

"Effective March 6, we shall direct the King Avenue Church finance office to place all of our monthly apportionment payments in an escrow account until such time as the Administrative Council, with the advice of the Finance Committee, will determine which apportionments are appropriate to pay.  This action will be in effect until King Avenue Church determines its future relationship with the United Methodist denomination.  This action is in response to the tragic actions of the recent General Conference.  It is taken neither rashly nor lightly.  We are not rash persons.  Further it is in accord with Wesley's Three Simple Rules.  "Do no harm, do good, stay in love with God."  We know that you shall continue to follow these rules and also hold the United Methodist denomination and King Avenue Church in your prayers."

Michigan clergy, ethicist issue statements

In the Michigan Annual Conference, a group of ordained deacons and elders, along with licensed local pastors, issued an open letter called "The Michigan Statement" to Bishop David Alan Bard. Citing Bishop Bard's call to observe a holy Lent, the clergy say, in part:

"We, therefore, refuse to accept the United Methodist stance that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm the rich diversity of sexual orientations and gender expression as part of God’s good creation. No one group of people are inherently more sinful than another. All people are ensnared in sin and need God’s prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace.

"We can no longer abide by the restrictions the Book of Discipline has placed on inclusion of LBGTQIA people in the full life of the UMC.

"We will take our authority as clergy to perform marriages per our consciences for our congregants and our communities, whosoever they are.

"We call upon our District Committees on Ordained Ministry and the Michigan Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry to recommended qualified candidates for ministry, whosoever they are.

"We affirm your authority as a Bishop, to consecrate, commission, and ordain all qualified and elected candidates for ministry — Bishops, Deacons, Elders, Local Pastors, Mission Personnel — whosoever they are."

Meanwhile, noted Christian ethicist the Rev. Tex Sample issued a plea March 2 on his Facebook page that was picked up and circulated widely on social media. Former professor of church and society and a longtime LGBTQIA ally, Dr. Sample wrote: "Friends, I urge UMCs not to leave now. The right wing created a church it cannot govern. They have made all of these coercive policies they cannot enforce, especially by millions of people who refuse to go along. If someone must leave, let them do so."

Secular and advocacy media continued to report on local reactions to the Traditional Plan vote. As of March 11:

Unity vs. uniformity – Walla Walla (Wash.) Union-Bulletin

A place at the table: Area Methodists respond to anti-LGBTQ vote – Worcester (Mass.) Telegram

Methodist churches in Mass. resisting anti-LGBTQ vote – The Boston Globe (paywall)

Global vote deepens Methodist divide over same-sex marriage – Roanoke (Va.) Times

What is the future of the Methodist church? Minnesota pastors discussing a split after new rules ... – INFORUM

God once opposed interracial marriage, too – Pittsburgh (Pa.) Post-Gazette

The African Future of 'America's Church'  – Wall Street Journal (paywall)

Bill Uhrich: Methodists latest denomination to struggle with issue of gay rights Reading (Pa.) Eagle

Pastors urge Methodists to embrace LGBT people  – Youngstown (Ohio) Vindicator

Thinking about the United Methodist future and (parts of) the Southern Baptist past  – GetReligion (blog)

Salem United Methodists reaffirm commitment to LGBTQ members after divisive global vote – Statesman Journal

Falmouth Faith Communities React To United Methodist Vote – CapeNews.net

The 'Splainer: What happened at the United Methodist General Conference? – Religion News Service

LGBT vote rocks Minnesota Methodists – Minneapolis Star Tribune

North Shore pastors dismayed at United Methodist Church's LGBTQ stance: 'I am heartbroken and ... – Chicago Tribune

Gay Methodist pastors stay with church – Akron Beacon Journal

Here's a Methodist congregation that's not fixated on sex – Washington Post

Letter: Utah's United Methodists will not turn back now – Salt Lake Tribune

Churches React to UMC Vote – Chronicle Tribune, Marion, Ind.

Church ban on gay marriage, ordination draws backlash – SeacoastOnline.com, Kittery, Maine.

Gay clergy within Methodist Church stay despite vote to ban them  – The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, OH

Foreign voters held Methodists to Traditional Plan – Arkansas Online

'Standing on the Promises of God' – Liberian Daily Observer

Global church ban on gay marriage sparks firestorm for areaMethodists – Ventura County (Calif.) Star

Local Methodist churches weigh next step in wake of homosexuality vote  – Kitsap ( Wash.( Sun

LGBTQ welcome here': Salinas First United Methodists supports community - The Salinas Californian

Methodists brought to verge of fracture: Did the Holy Spirit do this? – National Catholic Reporter

LETTER: Church right to keep traditional plan – Galesburg (Ohio) Register-Mail

Gay and raised Methodist — when do you let go of the past? – Washington Blade

Who worships a God who rejects gays for being how he made them? – Godzooks blog, Patheos.com

Methodist Church might split over worldwide gay policies – TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

Looked at internationally, what's the status of church policies on gays? – Religion Q & A blog, Patheos.com

LGBTQ decision trickles down to local Methodists – The Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Methodists vote to ban LGBTQ clergy – Valdosta Daily Times

Still supporting LGBTQ people, despite Methodist division – Washington Blade

4th-grader's LGBT essay rejected by principal, who called it unacceptable, lawsuit says – Kansas City Star

Biblically-Legitimized Imperialism – CounterPunch

On Biblical Inerrancy: Some Reflections for United Methodists and Other “Christians” – CounterPunch

Editorial: Three things the global church is telling the American church – Baptist Standard

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Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.