In an email newsletter sent to its members and the media Jan. 11, the Reconciling Ministries Network issued a public renewal of its commitment to the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life and leadership of The United Methodist Church.
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The public renewal was announced 13 months in advance of the special called General Conference scheduled Feb. 23-26, 2019, in St. Louis, Mo., at which delegates will be asked to confirm a plan of unity for the global denomination despite diametrically opposed stances regarding the acceptance of minority sexual orientations and practices. A plan developed by the Commission on a Way Forward is expected to be unveiled in Summer 2018 and then fine-tuned by the Council of Bishops in advance of the special General Conference.
Reconciling Ministries' newsletter reads:
"As the called General Conference approaches, more and more voices from across The United Methodist Church express both hope for the church we love and fear of an uncertain future. Perspectives and suggested solutions vary greatly, shining a spotlight on our diversity.
"We, the undersigned, reject fear and recommit ourselves to the path of love, justice, and hope, remembering that 'there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear' (1 John 4:18) and that our faith gives us 'confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see' (Heb 11:1).
"As clergy and laity who celebrate people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, we publicly renew our commitment to a just and fully inclusive United Methodist Church - a global denomination that is welcoming of LGBTQ people in the life and leadership of the church.We recommit ourselves to ongoing prayer, study, dialogue, relationship building, and advocacy and we continue our work for a church in which:
- people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are equally welcomed, loved, and celebrated, both in policy and practice
- all whom God calls to ordained ministry are nurtured, educated, ordained, and appointed based solely on their gifts and graces without regard for sexual orientation or gender identity
- laity called to serve are employed and dismissed based solely on their gifts and graces without regard for sexual orientation or gender identity
- all people in loving, committed relationships who wish to be married are able to enter into the covenant of marriage through a service of Christian worship held in their local United Methodist churches, surrounded by their church families, and officiated by their United Methodist pastors, without regard for sexual orientation or gender identity
- our resources are equally available for the care of all people without regard for sexual orientation or gender identity
"We renew our commitment to:
- remain in intentional relationship with all willing to journey with us
- create and invest in opportunities through which we share and grow with United Methodists who hold differing beliefs and perspectives
"We renew our commitment to:
- do no harm, do all the good we can, and love God as we continue to build a just and inclusive church."
The letter includes a link to sign the commitment publicly on Reconciling Ministries' website, where a list of activities is included for choice upon signup.