For those wanting to read the Conference Statement, that was adopted concerning Same-Sex Relationships, here it is in full:This Conference of 2007, in considering the ongoing same-sex discussion, declares its determination not to permit different viewpoints among us to further divide our church. In the face of our differences we recall and reaffirm the 1958 Conference resolution declaring that “it is the will of God for the Methodist Church that it should be one and undivided.”In the light of that declaration, and informed by the 2001 Conference commitment to being “a community of love rather than rejection,” and the 2005 Conference resolution inviting Methodists embracing “many different and even opposing views on the issue” to “journey together,” this Conference seeks a way forward that both respects and holds in tension differing views among our ministers and people.
Conference therefore resolves:
- That the grace, affirmation of diversity, and commitment to the unity of the church central to the same-sex resolutions of the 2001 and 2005 Conferences be re-affirmed;
- That our ministers and people continue to engage this issue in Christian conversation and respectful listening, so that all of us may more fully understand and articulate the variety of viewpoints held within our church;
- That we will seek to be a Christ-honouring community:
- Celebrating the rich diversity of those called to follow Jesus, honouring the sacred worth of all people and practicing our Wesleyan heritage of warmth, welcome and hospitality;
- Recognising the authority of Scripture, and noting that in our quest for understanding, there is no one, monolithic and incontrovertible interpretation of it;
- Acknowledging that there are therefore some issues upon which there may never be total unanimity within the church and upon which we must “agree to differ” without reducing our respect for, and trust of, one another.
Conference approves the publication of Bible Study material which will assist members of the Church to reflect on the issue of Christians and homosexuality and same-sex relationships;
Conference directs that a meeting be convened to consider the wide spectrum of viewpoints on the civil unions of same-sec souples in order to listen to each other, identify points of agreement and differences and seek a way forward that will enhance the unity of the church. DEWCOM is mandated to convene this engagement;
Conference recognizes that any decision and subsequent action on the issue of civil unions between same-sex partners must await the outcome of the ongoing process of engagement as specified by Conference 2005 (Yearbook 2006, 8.3, p.75) and, in the interim, expects Methodist ministers to continue to offer pastoral care to homosexual individuals as to all others.
Conference Statement on Same-Sex Relationships
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Hello. I have been anticipating some kind of feedback on this for the last week. When I read this my first reaction was "We're getting nowhere". But then I re-read it and considered the 1958 Conference resolution in conjunction with "Conference approves the publication of Bible Study material which will assist members of the Church to reflect on the issue of Christians and homosexuality and same-sex relationships" and had a slight change of heart.
ReplyDeleteI imagine there to be a lengthy process in considering all aspect to arrive at an all inclusive, unified, democratic answer.
So, essentially I understand the overall outcome as a status quo on the matter?
hey anonymous...
ReplyDeletethe answer is Yes and No. Yes, there's a sense that we are maintaining Staus Quo - we have reaffirmed our committment to being a community of love and not of rejection, which is a sort of status quo - e.g. we haven't changed our stance on marriage/civil unions...
BUT, we have also fleshed out in quite challenging terms what it means for us to be a community of love and not of rejection. For example, consider the strong words at the end of the last para - "expects Methodist ministers to continue to offer pastoral care to homosexual individuals". EXPECTS... this is a clear statement that gay and lesbian people will not only be welcomed - pastors of methodist churchs will be in contravention of our discipline if they don't offer pastoral care. I think that is a better place to be in (i.e. i see this as progress)
Finally, let me say that I don't expect that we will soon come to a place of "democratic" acceptance. I don't expect that we wille ever convince everyone. I think we need to work towards a position where different perspectives are able to positively affirm and respect the other view.
Now this is challenging! If I want anti-gay minsiters to respect my gay-friendly stance - and tell people that THEIR veiw is not the ONLY view... am I willing to tell gay and lesbian christians that there is another view other than mine (i.e. a more conservative one)?
Actually, as far as I can remember, whenever I have spoken about my own developing views on this issue, I have also always mentioned that there are other views, esp. with regard to interpretations of scripture...
I hope that we will be able to proceed with respect and dignity, toward a time when the community of faithful will embrace ALL the faithful without regard for economics, language, race, or sexual orientation!!!
(Just by the way: one of my older colleagues believes that this statement means that all methodist churches should advertise now that they are "gayfriendly"...)
he he - we'll see....
Thanks for highlighting and clarifying the positive, enormous progress (now that I think about it more carefully) already made.
ReplyDelete