United Methodist Church “Commission for the Way Forward” Bishop Peggy A. Johnson The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church says: Paragraph 161g United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers “The this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” Ordained Ministry Paragraph 304.3 – practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed “The practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers or appointed to serve in the United Methodist Church.” Marriage Paragraph 161c – the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, “We affirm personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a woman. We support laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” Unauthorized Conduct Paragraph 341.6 – that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and “Ceremonies shall not be conducted in our churches.” Chargeable Offenses Paragraph 2702.1 (a) (b) – be tried when charged with one or more of the following offenses (a) “A clergy members…may immorality including but not limited to, not being celibate in singleness or not faithful in a heterosexual marriage, (b) practices declared by the United Methodist church to be incompatible with Christian teachings, including but not limited to: being a self-avowed practicing homosexual or conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies…” Since 1972… These paragraphs have been debated and voted again and again At every General Conference since these paragraphs have been challenged but in general they have stayed the same with the exception of is some additions about “God’s grace available for and churches not to reject or condemn lesbians and gay all” “we implore families members and friends.” General Conference in Portland, Oregon (May 10-20, 2016) The for the was created Bishops’ “Commission Way Forward” All legislation regarding homosexuality was suspended A commission of 32 people was created to study the issue in depth and bring to the bishops a plan The commission consists of a wide variety of diversity: ethnically, gender, orientation, theological, lay and clergy
United Methodist Church “Commission for the Way Forward” Bishop Peggy A. Johnson The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church says: Paragraph 161g “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” Ordained Ministry – Paragraph 304.3 “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers or appointed to serve in the United Methodist Church.” Marriage – Paragraph 161c “We affirm the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a woman. We support laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” Unauthorized Conduct – Paragraph 341.6 “Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.” Chargeable Offenses – Paragraph 2702.1 (a) (b) “A clergy members…may be tried when charged with one or more of the following offenses (a) immorality including but not limited to, not being celibate in singleness or not faithful in a heterosexual marriage, (b) practices declared by the United Methodist church to be incompatible with Christian teachings, including but not limited to: being a self-avowed practicing homosexual or conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies…” Since 1972… These paragraphs have been debated and voted again and again At every General Conference since these paragraphs have been challenged but in general they have stayed the same with the exception of some additions about “God’s grace is available for all” “we implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbians and gay members and friends.” General Conference in Portland, Oregon (May 10-20, 2016) The Bishops’ “Commission for the Way Forward” was created All legislation regarding homosexuality was suspended A commission of 32 people was created to study the issue in depth and bring to the bishops a plan The commission consists of a wide variety of diversity: ethnically, gender, orientation, theological, lay and clergy