Resistance to General Conference Action Continues to Build

UPDATED 3/7/2019 with news information and links. See collection of links to secular news stories at end.

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. – Elie Wiesel, writer, theologian, holocaust survivor. (1928-2016)

[Joseph said to his brothers:] "Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today." – Genesis 50:20, NRSV

They’ve published newspaper ads and videos. They’ve posted pastoral letters and open letters on social media. They’ve even gone so far as to cover up the words “United Methodist” on their church signs. According to church leaders across the United States, United Methodist clergy, congregations and episcopal leaders are just beginning to disavow publicly the enhanced anti-LGBTQIA stances adopted by the special called 2019 General Conference since it adjourned on Feb. 26.

In the words of a U.S. church leader about General Conference delegates who voted for the Traditional Plan: “They’ve poked a sleeping bear. Now the bear is awake and angry.”

As of March 7:

Individual United Methodist bishops issues pastoral letters and prayers to their respective communities in the wake of the General Conference vote. In the Greater Northwest Area, resident Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky invited United Methodists to attend one of some 30 events termed "Table Talks 3.0":

"United Methodists in the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences are encouraged to participate in Table Talk conversations planned in various settings across the Greater Northwest Area. These opportunities will provide attendees a way to engage the church’s current discussion of human sexuality and the decisions made at the 2019 General Conference Session in St. Louis, within a structure of worship and respect for one another.

"To develop that sense of respect, participants are asked to commit to a covenant for respectful dialog. In short, the covenant asks them to:

• Stay Curious,
• Be Kind, and to
• Listen with the same amount of passion with which I want to be heard."

As of March 6, the following were observed on social media:

First United Methodist Church, Melrose, Mass.: The Leadership Team of the First United Methodist Church categorically rejects and denounces recent decisions made by the global United Methodist denomination concerning homosexuality. These decisions stand in direct opposition to our faith in the abiding love and abundant grace of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation for all that we do as a church… because the example of Jesus Christ calls us to draw the circle of Christian communion ever wider, and to witness the operation of grace in the very lives of those LGBT persons who have traditionally been excluded from church communities and abused by Christians. We cannot remain silent and allow those who would perpetrate those abuses to presume to speak for us…."

New England Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry: The board issued a statement signed by co-chairs Rev. Dr. Charlotte Pridgen Randolph and Rev. Mark Demers which read in part, 

"We believe the Board of Ordained Ministry of the New England Conference should respectfully maintain its current posture with regard to its discernment with those called to ministry in our midst: sexual orientation is not our concern, rather the manifestation of the Holy Spirit expressed in the gifts and graces of those hearing a call from God.

"We believe the board has thoroughly examined all candidates and applicants in the qualifications for their ministries, and we stand by the decisions we have discerned together. We will not engage in or tolerate the harassment of others by extending inquiries into relationships and intimacy beyond the scope of fidelity in one’s covenant relationships.

While the resistance has yet to organize formally, actions such as the following have occurred:

• Before they left St. Louis, the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops, both active and retired, made a video in which they promised to welcome, support and protect LGBTQIA people. They also announced that Western Jurisdiction leadership would meet in two weeks to strategize on further action.
• A group of United Methodists calling themselves Oklahoma United Methodists for Equality published a half-page ad disavowing the actions of the 2019 General Conference. According to Scott Spencer: "I am the Lead Pastor of Mosaic. Jim Gragg is a retired elder who is part of Mosaic. Also, Mosaic did not write the affirmation we are collecting signatures for. It was sent to us and was written by a team from the Texas Annual Conference. As I understand it, they are hoping people will take it to their AC sessions for a vote. Here in Oklahoma, we are collecting signatures to send it to our GC delegation in May. And will have it at AC but will not be submitting it for a vote."
• An ad similar to Oklahoma's appeared in Atlanta signed by 300 clergy and Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, their bishop. Another ad was being planned in Dallas, Tex. (See accompanying photos).
• The Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., issued a video announcing that he planned to hold a consultation at his church in April regarding next steps. 
• In Nashville, Tenn., home to several United Methodist agencies, a service of lamentation and hope was held for Nashville area Reconciling United Methodists according to a Facebook post by the Rev. Beth Richardson.
• In a Facebook post, the Methodist Federation for Social Action stated: "No matter how the legislative group voted, God's love cannot be legislated and is not restrained by the law. To our lgbtqia+ siblings God loves you! We pray for our pastors, lay leaders, and congregations as you seek to dissent from the corruption of the institutional church and follow where the Holy Spirit is leading."

The photo collection above shows many of the highlights of the weekend's protests.

News articles as of March 3-4:

3 Big U.S. Churches in Turmoil Over Sex Abuse, LBGTQ Policy (Associated Press)

Rift Within Methodist Church Grows in Wake of Vote on Gay Marriage (paywall)

United Methodists Face Fractured Future (KUNC)

Emotion-filled sermons at United Methodist churches follow divisive LGBTQ vote (Atlanta, Ga.)

CUMC members weigh in on LGBT rights (Christ UMC, Rochester, NY)

Greene Memorial UMC holds service in support of LGBT community (Roanoke, Va.)

Coppertop Church Supporting LGBTQ Community After United Methodist Delegates Vote Against ... - WDIO

Uncertainty, hurt in Michigan after Methodist LGBT vote - The Detroit News

North United Methodist Church stresses inclusion - WRTV Indianapolis

Pastors react to Methodist vote to still forbid LGBTQ clergy, same-sex marriages Wilkes Journal Patriot

United Church Of Rogers Park Devastated By Anti-LGBTQ Ruling From Methodist Conference ... - Block Club Chicago

When covering the United Methodist split, remember that there's two sides – not just one - GetReligion (blog)

Methodists Hold Firm to Scripture ... for Now - Patriot Post

Abilene church preaches unity after divisive decision Big Country Homepage

United Methodists Vote to Keep Bans on Gay Marriage, LGBT Clergy - WUWF

Methodist Church at crossroads - American Press

Pittsburgh United Methodists wrestle with church vote on gay marriage, clergy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Fractured after vote against LGBT clergy, weddings, United Methodists face possible split – CNN

Gay pastor in Port Townsend defies news of United Methodist Church rule - Peninsula Daily News

After national vote for LGBT restrictions, Portland Methodists send message of inclusion – Portland, Maine, Press-Herald.

Methodists seek unity after church's vote to keep ban on LGBTQ clergy, same-sex marriage –Baltimore Sun

Joe Blundo: Anti-gay stance leaves this United Methodist grieving – The Columbus Dispatch

Arizona Methodist congregations reaffirm support for LGBTQ community – AZCentral.com

'We're still in shock': SLO County Methodists reject church's hard line on LGBTQ members - San Luis Obispo Tribune

United Methodist Bishop Gregory Palmer: 'There is deep pain' - The Columbus Dispatch

Local clergy 'united' against United Methodist LGBT vote - Duluth News Tribune

"This is not how we love each other": Local United Methodists react to church's controversial ruling – Virginian-Pilot

'The tension has been building": Methodists face split over LGBT issues – Greensboro News & Record

United Methodists' anti-LGBTQ vote leaves local church leaders facing an uncertain future - Tacoma News Tribune (blog)

Reeling from contentious LGBT vote, some Methodists mull leaving - Ocala, Fla., Star-Banner.

How SC churches are dealing with 'hurt' in the wake of Methodist LGBT decision – The State

The United Methodist Church died:' What the LGBTQ vote means to Rock Hill churches - Rock Hill Herald

Big Data: 54 people decided the United Methodist Church vote - The Boston Globe (paywall)

'We Are Not Going Anywhere': Progressive Methodists Vow to Fight Ban on Gay Clergy – New York Times

UPDATED 3/5/2019

Two Women Celebrate Wedding Anniversary Despite Methodist Split 

Letter: As clergy, we're disappointed in United Methodist's statement on LGBT – Indiana Journal & Courier

United Methodist churches in Western Springs, Elmhurst stand firm on including LGBTQ people - Chicago Tribune

Area United Methodist churches pledge open arms in wake of LGBTQ vote - Longview, Wash., Daily News

Methodists strengthen stance against gay marriage and openly LGBT clergy – KXXV News Channel 25, Waco, Texas.

Methodist Church debate on sexuality divides local congregation – Frederick, Md., News Post

Raleigh Methodist church fights new rules restricting same sex relationships – CBS Channel 17, Raleigh, NC

A wee reminder to my #UMC friends by author and religion historian Diana Butler Bass

Virginia bishop hopes for "miracle" to unite United Methodist Church – Virginian-Pilot

Local United Methodist pastors to defy national leadership on LGBT ruling – The Reflector, Battle Ground, Wash.

The Demise of Traditional Christian Sexual Morality Is Greatly Exaggerated - National Review

'Where Would I Go? This Is My Home': Queer United Methodists' Uncertain Future - New York Magazine

The United Methodists Just Dodged A Kill Shot By Reaffirming God's Design For Sex - The Federalist

United Methodists could learn from Southern Baptists' conservative takeover [Opinion] – Houston Chronicle (paywall)

Fallout continues from Methodist ban on same-sex marriage and gay clergy – Delaware State News

Local Methodist church encourages inclusion after church's LGBTQ vote – WHAM, Rochester, NY

UPDATED 3/6/2019

Lowcountry members react to United Methodist vote banning gay clergy, marriage – ABC NEWS 4

Traditionalists prevail in United Methodist Church sexuality conversation – The Mountaineer

Putnam: In the wake of United Methodist decision, openly gay Lansing pastor is speaking up – Lansing State Journal

Louisiana Bishop Presides Over Vote That Divides the United Methodist Church – Bayou Brief (press release)

United Methodist Church ruling brought 'sense of sadness,' minister says – Herald-Whig

Polling editor says Methodist LGBTQ vote is an 'outlier' – The Hill

Fort Collins pastor vows to go against church's same-sex marriage ban, saying 'Don't yell at me ... – The Coloradoan

LGBT inclusion issue causing 'immense pain' in United Methodist Church – PennLive.com

Salem Methodist churches will continue welcoming LGBTQ clergy, performing same-sex marriages – Salem Reporter

UPDATED 3/7/2019

The aftermath of United Methodists' anti-LGBT vote – Washington Post

Iowa pastor expects to be shut out by United Methodist Church vote to continue LGBTQ ban – DesMoinesRegister.com

Gay UMC pastor to conduct same-sex weddings despite Traditional Plan passage – Christian Post

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

TERRY MATTINGLY: Doing the global United Methodist math – Meridian Star

Cedar Falls church bucks United Methodist LGBTQ policy – Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Local reaction to UMC General Conference vote – The Mountaineer

Not all Christian leaders in Africa are opposed to LGBTQ inclusion – Washington Post

My church embraces LGBTQ members – Smoky Mountain News

Op-Ed: Not even Methodists can limit God's amazing grace – Bucks County Courier Times

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Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. Reader Thomas Shankling of Florida contributed additional links to this article.