As The United Methodist Church Judicial Council gathered in Los Angeles last week, they examined three items related to LGBTQ people, among others on the docket. Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) and our allies have once again been in prayer since the closed meeting started, hoping that the Judicial Council would take a small step towards recognizing the gifts and graces that LGBTQ United Methodists bring to churches across the connection by issuing rulings that do not allow continued harm.
In this particular set of rulings released from the October docket, the Judicial Council has declared the following:
1. Constitutional challenge on “incompatible with Christian Teaching” – The Denmark Conference’s question regarding the constitutionality of the “incompatible with Christian teaching” language in the Book of Discipline was untouched by the Judicial Council. They regarded the question itself outside of the authority of the Conference to ask and thus outside of the authority of the Council to rule upon. The language stands.
2. Ruling of law in Baltimore-Washington – The Council affirmed the ruling of law from Bishop Latrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference which declared that a clergy session cannot vote on a candidate for ministry that the Board of Ordained Ministry (BoOM) has not put forward for that annual conference session.
3. Ruling of law in Iowa – The Council also affirmed the ruling of Bishop Laurie Haller in the Iowa Annual Conference who argued that it was not within her authority to reopen the complaint process completed by a prior Bishop against Rev. Anna Blaedel for being a “self-avowed practicing homosexual.”
Rev. Anna Blaedel reflected on the ruling by saying, “I am relieved to have this dehumanizing, disempowering process resolved, for now. However, I proudly remain a ‘self-avowed, practicing homosexual.’ I delight in my queerness, and my relationship with my beloved. I lament the use of loopholes to hide any aspect of queer life and love. Queer and trans people are sacred, holy, and fully compatible with Jesus’s teachings, ministry, and witness. Any practice, policy, loophole, or ruling that suggests otherwise is harmful and incompatible with God’s kin-dom.”
Jan Lawrence, Interim Executive Director of RMN, expressed gratitude that the Judicial Council affirmed the ruling in Iowa. She also said, “We rejoice that the Rev. Anna Blaedel no longer has the threat of a charge being reopened hanging over their head. While we celebrate with Anna, we are also saddened that the Judicial Council did not take up the constitutionality of ‘incompatible with Christian teaching’ question asked by Denmark and CalPac, and that the Judicial Council affirmed the ruling in Baltimore-Washington. It is disappointing that the church so faithfully served by LGBTQ United Methodists continues to do harm through its Judicial Council rulings.”
T.C. Morrow reflected on the rulings, “In continuing to respond to God’s call on our lives, my LGBTQ siblings and I follow Christ into all corners of the world and seek to encourage others to do the same.” Lawrence also added that, “It is the ministry of those who refuse to be denied their calling, like Rev. Anna Blaedel and T.C. Morrow, that inspires us to do the work that we do for affirmation and justice in the church.”
As always, the impact of the Judicial Council rulings remains in the hands of United Methodists across the connection. There is no way to simply receive and obey the laws of the church and remain faithful to the way of Jesus Christ as long as discrimination is embedded within the United Methodist Book of Discipline. It is the responsibility of each individual, church, board, and committee to decide how to be in ministry with all people according to Christ’s way of justice and liberation.
Though the church may attempt to “prevent” full inclusion through rulings and legislation, our faithfulness will prevent us from abiding by any rules that destroy! We carry on together in the work of freeing our church from prejudice and its LGBTQ members from being ruled upon as objects of law. We celebrate LGBTQ lives and loves and all who labor for the day when the church does the same.
I am a lifetime member of UMC and I am very discouraged with the continuing harassment of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters in Christ.
I am a Gay married man who has been called by God. I have completed the whole process required to become a Local Licensed Pastor – but cannot because of those few words in the Book of Discipline. I think it’s time for “Open Hearts… Minds… Doors” to be removed – It’s just another lie! My Opinion!
I am disheartened that this still is not compatible with Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus said to obey Gods Commandments. Paul did too. The scripture is pretty plain in both old and new testaments on this.
To rule that they have no jurisdiction over the constitutionality of a statement in the discipline, is admitting that their rulings have no basis in law, because this has been their purpose in days past. They have over ruled many provisions of the discipline that the council viewed as unconstitutional. In the long run it does not matter, because the Church cannot be ruled ultimately by the law that kills, but by faith in the grace of Christ which brings life. Eventually all followers of Christ get to the point of “Here I stand. I can do no other.” and just do what Christ calls us to do with love and grace for all.
I am a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, and I am disheartened at the ongoing discrimination against LGBTQ persons. The Book of Discipline was written by man and is therefore fallible. Ours is not to judge but to love, as Jesus said.
Thank you, Paula!
I agree with every word you said. Love is the only emotion that should be in place here.
Thank you for posting this. Perhaps the Judicial Council is correct in saying that it’s outside their authority to address Denmark’s question, but this is very disappointing nonetheless. Why we have to wait until 2019 for a decision is beyond me, and I can’t imagine how weary my LGBTQ friends are of this snail’s pace process.
Its funny how no one ever wants to bring up Holy Scripture in this conversation.
I too have been a member of UMC for over 50 years and an weighing that choice. We all deserve a place at the table.
Everyone deserves a place at the table as we are all sinners seeking forgiveness. This has turned into a money question though where clergy who want to come out want to maintain their connection. Their ordination vows to uphold scripture, they want to ignore. Both Old and New Testament forbid the practice.
I am so disappointed in the UMC. I grew up in the Methodist Church and have prayed that it would move in a direction of embracing and inclusion.
I cannot remain a silent member. I am a straight, 75 year old Caucasian woman, who hears the hollow words…….love the sinner,,,,,hate the sin.
To marginalize and set up our own brothers, sisters, children, friends for exclusion and hatred is not Christian. Heartbreaking.
I am a United Methodist retired Clergy Person and I too am very discouraged and appalled with the continuing treatment of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters as being less than full persons. Is it any wonder that the church is decreasing in size when we dehumanize children of God? I’m close to giving up on the UMC.
They are not less than full persons. They are sinners just like everyone else that passes the threshold of a church. Including the Preachers and Bishops.
Take out the Discrimination from the BOD Now! No Unity without Full Equally for Our LGBTQ Brothers and Sisters Praying
The United Methodist Church is currently “incompatible with Christian teaching” until this language is removed from the Discipline
Not so. Read your Bible. Both Old and New Testament speak against the practice.
This is not the first time this year that such fundamental disagreements with the society I live in makes me want to leave. But I realize that if I leave this church-who am I leaving it to? And what will they do? I just found this website, thanks to a friend, and am so glad to have a place I can stay in the church and still fight with you brave and wonderful Christians to be the church God wants us to be.