The Council of Bishops Responds
The Council of Bishops has responded to the letter from 59 pastors that was written to communicate a deep concern regarding more than 900 ministerial colleagues who have pledged to perform same-sex weddings, despite the church’s prohibition against such ceremonies.
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9 Comments
by Jeff
On November 13, 2011
I’m someone who advocates removing the rules against gays from the Discipline. I know this organization does not. Do you think it’s time to openly and honestly discuss an amicable separation as was proposed in the 2004 General Conference? It seems that we are wasting a lot of time and emotion fighting the inevitable.
by Roger
On November 20, 2011
The Council of Bishops letter is “Cotton Candy” theology, it has a lot of sugary fluff but it lacks substance of faith. Faith is not belief in spite of evidence. Faith is a combination of both conviction and action. It cannot be one or the other by itself. Our Bishops will have to demonstrate by actions that they will uphold the Book of Discipline. I think the Council of Bishops are fearful therefore faith and fear are incompatible. Let the Council show by their actions that they understand the substance of faith to the solid Rock and then their anchor will hold in the storm.
by Edith L.Parker
On November 23, 2011
It is good to read that the bishops will uphold their vows and the Discipline. There is no justification to do otherwise and remain a bishop of the UMC. It would have been even better if they had affirmed the fact that homosexuality is an abomination according to the Bible and has no place in the Christian church’s positions. Anyone disobeying the Discipline should be removed from the clergy immediately. Jesus was loving but did reprove people for their sins and said: Sin no more. John Wesley heralded Holiness constantly. There is no mention of such in this letter. Therefore, it seems to express the same old, same old attitudes from the Bishops. I have no real surety that they will discipline the 900 rebellious ordained ministers in any significant way. Therefore, the UMC will continue its decline.
by Sandra Furjanic
On November 28, 2011
I read the letter and do not see that it specifically addressed the concern of the 900 ministerial colleagues. It more or less, side-steps the entire issue. The only place I saw any type of answer was where the Bishops responded that they would support the Book of Discipline but did not say how or when. This letter seems to be typical of the UMC and perhaps is why we have a continual decline in membership. We have become a “lukewarm” church!
Sandy F.
by A.M. Mallett
On November 28, 2011
This is nothing but mush. God help the UMC.
by Jim
On November 28, 2011
Absolutely side-stepped the whole question. Made no stand one way or the other. The Bishops are apparently going to let these 900 have their way with no consequence. Their consequence will be provided by God at their judgement. As for the rest of us, let us not be silenced by the Bishops failure to make a stand. Make your belief in the Holy word of God known that the practice of homosexuality will not be acceptable in the Methodist Church and that you will not support any clergy who do. Love those thus afflicted but do not encourage the public action thereof. The approval of homosexual union will be just another nail in the coffin of the sanctity of marriage. God help us before its to late.
by David
On December 8, 2011
I agree that the Bishops’ response is rather sheepish, but I commend them for upholding their covenant with the BOD. The church’s position with regard to the homosexual issue as stated in the BOD, is very gracious towards those who struggle with this sin. Those who have chosen to accept it as normal, healthy behaviour have simply accepted their emptiness before God–fooling themselves into thinking God approves of all forms of “love.” What I fail to see is how those (especially so called Elders and Bishops) who keep trying to ram their sin or acceptance of it down our throats don’t simply join another denomination of like minded people who apparently think that it is up to them and not God to determine what is or is not sin.
by Larry
On December 15, 2011
There comes a time when to stop praying “for the whole church and for the brokenness our
communities experience” and start excommunicating the wantonly defiant.
by Bob Wilkinson
On March 5, 2012
I am pleased that the Bishops have spoken, but I fear they are not taking seriously how we in the UMC feel about obedience to God and to the Discipline of the UMC. We are not asking for the removal of Gays and Lesbians from the Church of course we must show them that in Christ we love and care for their eternal souls. We do not condemn them we do condemn their chosen lifestyle based on our understanding of the Holy Scripture and the BOD . I feel that we are not seeing God as He is Loving yes Caring yes Forgiving yes but also the God of future judgment ujpon those who willfully disobey Him. It is time for Council of Bishops to take a firm stand against the perversion of the Word Of God in our great Church