Homosexuality and Methodism

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The Methodist denominations of Christianity generally believe that the practice of homosexuality to be incompatible with Christian teaching, albeit they do minister to homosexual persons, holding that all individuals are of sacred worth.[1][2][3]

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[edit] Denominations

[edit] United Methodist Church

As stated in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Church holds that "homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth."[1] In other words, all individuals are of worth to God. Nevertheless, in keeping with historic Church teaching,[4][5] it considers the "practice of homosexuality [to be] incompatible with Christian teaching," i.e. sinful.[6] For this reason, the "United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality"[1] or allow "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" to be "certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church."[6]

Based on its teaching, the United Methodist Church prohibits the blessing of homosexual unions by its clergy and in its churches.[6] The breaking of this law is a chargeable offense and rebellious clergy are subject to being defrocked,[7] as was the case in 1987, when Methodist minister Rose Mary Denman, was defrocked for being openly gay.[8] Similarly, in 2005, clergy credentials were removed from Irene Elizabeth Stroud after she was convicted in a church trial of violating Church law by engaging in a lesbian relationship; this conviction was later upheld by the Church Judicial Council, the highest court in the denomination.[9]

The United Methodist Church in addition respects the sanctity of marriage[10] and supports "laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman."[10] On April 30, 2008, at the most recent General Conference, delegates adopted even more conservative language, stating that Christians are called to "responsible stewardship of this sacred gift" of sexuality and that "sexual relations are affirmed only within the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage."[11]

The Confessing Movement within the United Methodist Church seeks to continue to protect the United Methodist Church's current stance on homosexuality, if not make it more rigid. Moreover, another movement, Transforming Congregations, is a Methodist ex-gay ministry whose purpose is to "equip the local church to model and minister sanctified sexuality through biblical instruction, personal and public witness, and compassionate outreach.[12] The Reconciling Ministries Network is an unofficial organization seeking to change the United Methodist Church's current teaching on homosexuality in order to make the church more inclusive of LGBT people.[13] At the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church, it was decided that the Church would retain its views on homosexuality.[14]

[edit] Free Methodist Church

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As stated in the Book of Discipline (A/342) of the Free Methodist Church, it believes and teaches that

“ Homosexual behavior, as all sexual deviation, is a perversion of God's created order (Genesis 1-3). The sanctity of marriage and the family is to be preserved against all manner of immoral conduct (Exodus 22:16-17; Deuteronomy 22:23-28; Leviticus 20:10-16), thus the Free Methodist Church does not recognize the legitimacy or participation in the practice of same-sex marriage.

Homosexual behavior is contrary to the will of God as clearly stated in Scripture (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:8-10).

Persons with homosexual inclinations are accountable to God for their behavior (Romans 14:12).

The forgiving and delivering grace of God in Christ is all-sufficient for the homosexual (1 John 1:9; Hebrews 7:25; Luke 4:18; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). The Church has a personal and corporate responsibility to be God's instrument of healing, restoring love to the homosexual seeking recovery of Christian conduct and life-style (2 Corinthians 2:7-8).

The church opposes legislation which makes homosexual conduct or life-style legitimate.[2]

 ”

[edit] Methodist Church of Great Britain

At the annual Methodist Conference in 1993 in Derby, following long debate at all levels of the Church's life on the basis of a detailed report, the Methodist Church considered the issues of human sexuality.[15] The Derby Conference in 1993 passed a series of Resolutions which still stand. These resolutions are as follows:

“

1. The Conference, affirming the joy of human sexuality as God's gift and the place of every human being within the grace of God, recognises the responsibility that flows from this for us all. It therefore welcomes the serious, prayerful and sometimes costly consideration given to this issue by The Methodist Church.
2. All practices of sexuality, which are promiscuous, exploitative or demeaning in any way are unacceptable forms of behaviour and contradict God's purpose for us all.
3. A person shall not be debarred from church on the grounds of sexual orientation in itself.
4. The Conference reaffirms the traditional teaching of the Church on human sexuality; namely chastity for all outside marriage and fidelity within it. The Conference directs that this affirmation is made clear to all candidates for ministry, office and membership, and having established this, affirm that the existing procedures of our church are adequate to deal with all such cases.
5. The Conference resolves that its decision in this debate shall not be used to form the basis of a disciplinary charge against any person in relation to conduct alleged to have taken place before such decisions were made.
6. Conference recognises, affirms and celebrates the participation and ministry of lesbians and gay men in the church. Conference calls on the Methodist people to begin a pilgrimage of faith to combat repression and discrimination, to work for justice and human rights and to give dignity and worth to people whatever their sexuality.[15]

 ”

In 2006, the Church prohibited the blessing of same-sex unions on or off church property; clergy can offer only "pastoral prayers" for same sex couples.[3] This decision was made after "culmination of two years of denomination-wide reflection."[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Human Sexuality. The United Methodist Church. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  2. ^ a b The Christian Life - Christian Conduct. Free Methodist Church. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  3. ^ a b c British Methodists reject blessing of same-sex relationships. The United Methodist Church. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
  4. ^ Episcopal Church faces divisions over gay issues. Reuters. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  5. ^ Homosexuality. The Defender. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
  6. ^ a b c What is the denomination’s position on homosexuality?. The United Methodist Church. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  7. ^ ¶ 2702. Chargeable Offenses and the Statute of Limitations. The United Methodist Church. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  8. ^ United Methodists Move to Defrock Lesbian. New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  9. ^ United Methodist Church (UMC): The trial of Irene Elizabeth Stroud. Religious Tolerance. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  10. ^ a b Marriage. The United Methodist Church. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  11. ^ Calendar Item 1186. The United Methodist Church. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  12. ^ Our Purpose. Transforming Congregations. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  13. ^ Our Mission. Reconciling Ministries Network. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  14. ^ Methodists yes to full communion with Lutherans; no on gay change. Ecumenical News International. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  15. ^ a b Human Sexuality. The Methodist Church of Great Britain. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.

[edit] See also

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