Delegates to the 2008 General Conference on April 30 rejected changes to the United Methodist Social Principles that would have acknowledged that church members disagree on homosexuality.
Delegates instead adopted a minority report that retained language in the denomination’s 2004 Book of Discipline describing homosexual practice as “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Some delegates stand to protest the outcome of the vote. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey.
The adopted wording in Paragraph 161G also states that “all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God,” and that United Methodists are to be “welcoming, forgiving and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us.”
Delegates also approved a new resolution to oppose homophobia and heterosexism, saying the church opposes “all forms of violence or discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sexual practice or sexual orientation.”
Majority and minority reports
In its majority report, the legislative committee, chaired by Frederick Brewington, New York Conference, recommended that delegates delete the incompatibility sentence and adopt the statement, “Faithful, thoughtful people who have grappled with this issue deeply disagree with one another; yet all seek a faithful witness.”
The Rev. Muland Aying, a delegate from the South West Katanga Conference, speaks on the legislation. A UMNS photo by Maile Bradfield.
The revision also would have asked United Methodists and others “to refrain from judgment regarding homosexual persons and practices as the Spirit leads us to a new insight.”
Brewington told delegates the petition would be “an exciting and mature way forward,” calling it “an honest, yet humble approach to how we are to view one another.”
“Moving forward means we have come to a point of telling the truth. And we do not agree,” he said. “We can make the determination to move forward, and stop the hurt.”
In presenting the minority report, however, the Rev. Eddie Fox said that any United Methodist statement on human sexuality needs to be “clear, concise and faithful to biblical teaching.”
Leaving out the statement that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching” would be confusing, especially for members of the church outside the United States, Fox said.
The Rev. Eddie Fox speaks in favor of retaining the current language. A UMNS photo by Maile Bradfield.
“I have seen and experienced the pain and the brokenness in parts of our global movement whenever our church has failed to hold fast to this essential teaching of the Holy Scripture,” he said.
The delegates’ action prompted a coalition of gay advocacy groups immediately to stage a silent vigil outside the Fort Worth Convention Center. Members of Soulforce, Affirmation, Reconciling Ministries Network and Methodist Federation for Social Action lined the entrance as delegates returned from a dinner break.
Heated debate
Earlier in the day, the petition opposing homophobia generated some heated debate from the floor when a delegate from the Democratic Republic of Congo described homosexual practice as among the things “that come from the devil.”
“Homosexuality is a practice that is incompatible with the love of God,” he said. “We love homosexual people, but we detest what they do.”
But the Rev. Judy Stevens, New York Conference, countered: “We are all aware of the violence used against homosexual people in the world today. … It’s time to stand with people whose orientation may be different from us.”
The Rev. Debbie Fisher, from the Northern Illinois Conference, told delegates about a gay relative who was beaten to the point of being unable to function as an adult. “I ask you to think about Wesley’s three rules,” she said. “Great harm was done to this man who loved God.”
Two delegates stand arm in arm. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.
The Rev. Steve Wende of the Texas Conference said the debate was painful, but cautioned delegates against changing the Discipline’s language: “If we do this as a way of making some people happy, it won’t make anyone happy.”
Will Green of the New England Conference urged delegates to adopt the committee’s recommendation. “It allows for gay and lesbian people like myself to stay in the church in a safe way that doesn’t cause us to be sacrificed for the sake of church unity,” he said.
The Rev. Kent Millard, South Indiana Conference, said the petition reflects reality among United Methodists. “The truth is, we are divided,” he said. “Let’s just acknowledge that it doesn’t say one is right and one is wrong. It just says we disagree.”
After replacing the majority report with the minority report, delegates approved it 501-417.
In other action on sexuality issues, delegates voted to:
-Add the words “sexual orientation” to an existing resolution regarding a commitment to educational opportunity regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin or economic or social background;
-Retain language of Paragraph 341.6 in the Discipline that prohibits United Methodist ministers from conducting ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions;
-Reject a proposal to add “civil unions” to a list of basic civil liberties in Paragraph 162.H because delegates felt the language was already inclusive;
-Reject amending Paragraph 161.C to include “committed unions” in a section describing the sanctity of the marriage covenant.
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
Robert's Rules and holy conferencing
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
General Conference, top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, is over — and not a moment too soon. Ten straight days is simply too long. We have to find a way to dramatically shorten the conference. Exhaustion began to set in after a few days, although I was pleased about the positive attitude most people maintained throughout.
General Conference is a constant round of meetings, plenaries, legislative sessions and events. For me, personally, in spite of the fatigue created by 18-20 hour days I found the conference to be spiritually enriching. This was not only due to the uplifting worship experiences, but because I had the opportunity to fellowship with old friends, make new friends and deepen a number of relationships.
Most of the petitions placed before the conference by the General Board of Church & Society were adopted. Our directors and staff worked hard for more than a year and a half to produce policy statements on crucial social concerns for the delegates to consider. I believe the high quality of the board’s work was recognized by the fact the overwhelming majority of the petitions were accepted.
The General Conference adopted a strong statement calling for immediate withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from the tragic war in Iraq. A rally and press conference in support of the rights of immigrants were held, and General Conference passed a very good statement on behalf of immigration reform. Many other important social concerns were addressed including a call for a moratorium on the death penalty in Texas.
The manipulation of delegates, in particular those from Africa, was quite brazen. A letter from the “Reform and Renewal” coalition was distributed at the beginning of General Conference informing them free cell phones would be given to them. The same letter included voting suggestions for Judicial Council candidates.
A U.S. pastor and former missionary personally witnessed a coalition representative instruct Central Conference delegates to vote against the “Worldwide Nature of the Church” report. The same representative then took credit he did not deserve for obtaining funding for theological education in Africa.
I watched a staff person of the “Reform and Renewal” coalition sending text messages to African delegates during a legislative committee session. The activity was so blatant marshals requested the cell phone be put away.
Let’s be clear: Not only did certain organizations and individuals manipulate many African delegates, but many of those delegates willingly permitted themselves to be manipulated. They accepted gifts apparently without considering the ethical consequences. This is improper.
Once again, a reasonable compromise regarding human sexuality worked out painstakingly in committee was ignored by a minority of that legislative committee. This minority took an alternative report to the full General Conference, which adopted it.
Ironically, the General Conference refuses to admit that differences exist in the church concerning homosexuality. The proponents of that minority report insist it is necessary that the church denounce gay, lesbian and transgendered people. Eventually, I believe a younger generation will emerge at General Conference and will change our denomination’s stance.
A lot of focus was on the need for holy conferencing. I think that did help. It’s hard to have holy conferencing, though, when using Robert’s Rules of Order. Parliamentary procedure does not lend itself well to honest, Christian conversation.
Every four years, representatives from across our denomination gather to chart a course for the church. This year’s General Conference theme was “A Future with Hope.” I believe in that future.
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Robert's Rules and holy conferencing
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