In recent days there has been lots of activity regarding United Methodism’s affirmation of traditional marriage. The bishop of Upper New York announced today that charges are proceeding, possibly towards a church trial, for a Binghamton clergy who conducted a same sex union. He’s one of about half a dozen United Methodist clergy who currently face potential charges for violating the church’s prohibition on same sex rites. The church’s highest court ruled over the weekend against the ultra-liberal Western Jurisdiction’s 2012 resolution urging only symbolic penalty for any bishop who ordains active homosexuals. Meanwhile, retired Bishop Melvin Talbert became on Saturday the first United Methodist bishop publicly to defy the church ban on same sex rites.
Since last year’s General Conference decisively rejected any changes to the church’s current orthodox teachings on marriage and sexual ethics, church liberals have increasingly acknowledged they can no longer win legislatively. The U.S. church, especially its most liberal regions in the Northeast and West, continues to lose members quickly, while Africa is fast gaining members. International delegates will likely number half the delegates in 2016, up from 40 percent in 2012.
So United Methodism is hurling through a tumultuous transition period away from Mainline Protestant to global. Liberal denominational elites, after a century of hegemony, are frantic. They desperately desire United Methodism to remain aligned with the spiraling Episcopal, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (USA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denominations. All these churches, already fast declining, remarkably ACCELERATED their membership losses after surrendering on marriage. Open doors indeed. More like grab the parachute, and jump out, hoping for the best. It’s almost refreshing to see some church elites and activists so bracingly committed to their ideology over the church’s health and future. At least their priorities are clear.
Traditionalists need to remember the current battles of marriage are the logical consequence of over 100 years of Protestant revisionist liberalism. And the real conflict is not over sex per se but over biblical authority, the lordship and exclusivity of Christ, and understandings of the universal church, human nature, and redemption.
If United Methodism survives intact, as I strongly expect it will, and successfully emerges from Mainline captivity to a theologically and spiritually reinvigorated global church, then the current controversies will someday be recalled as some of the most glorious. There’s always more opportunity for meaningful service, with eternal fruits and rewards, during vexing crises than during times of calm tranquility.
Here’s one hopeful scenario. In future years, when the current U.S. trend for non-denominational churches has slowed or reversed, and there is desire again for the rich traditions offered uniquely by a historic denomination, United Methodism in the U.S., by then fully globalized, may again be uniquely poised for revival.
Comment by Tommy Carr on October 28, 2013 at 6:39 pm
I find it disturbing that Methodists speak of Biblical authority and yet about half the ministers in the church are women. How do you square that with Biblical authority?
And, if it had not been for the foreign Methodist delegates the UMC would very likely have affirmed same-sex marriage at that general conference.
Comment by Bo Gabbert on October 29, 2013 at 11:18 am
Does Scripture give witness of any females in leadership positions?
Comment by William on October 29, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Deborah, Samson’s mother, etc. It is predominantly the fault of history that women were relegated to the home and childbirth and denied an education that lead to biblical leanings of leadership to be with the man. God did not deny women a place of non-teaching or non-preaching, man and ‘the times’ did. It is the wisdom of the woman that lets’ the insecurity of the man solve it’s own created problem. The need for one leader in the family and church body is of precedence, and God often puts the least capable at the head, i.e. man. Let’s not let such trivialities of this denomination has women leaders and this one doesn’t, divide us. There are far more pressing matters of denominations being clearly against scriptures than this.
Comment by John S on November 5, 2013 at 9:33 am
Gratuitous cheap shots like this: “God often puts the least capable at the head, i.e. man. ”
Belong to the same category as women are weak and need caring for and refute any point the speaker is trying to make.
Comment by Holly Boardman on October 28, 2013 at 6:55 pm
I find great hope in the global nature of our church and the continuing move of God outside of the United States. The 2012 General Conference recognized this and asked the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters to present proposals for a NEW global Book of Discipline. They met in late September, and I was excited by the tweets from their meeting.
I would identify a DIFFERENT reason for this situation however. Any church that makes decisions by voting is prey to being more shaped by popular opinion and culture rather than scripture- especially when the culture is not Christian.
We should be looking to other models of decision making that are more appropriate for a Christian church. Instead of VOTING for bishops, why don’t we nominate qualified candidates, and then prayerfully cast lots (John Wesley used this method for important decisions at times as does the Coptic Church). As long as “WE” try to be in control of God’s church there will be continuing division, arguing, and dissension.
It is time for The United Methodist Church to adopt a completely new Book of Discipline. Let’s listen to the ideas of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters with an open mind.
This crisis is also an opportunity. Perhaps Wesleyan Christianity can take a leap forward because of this implosion. As some of us leave The United Methodist Church, let’s start up new Wesleyan societies and class meetings IN OUR HOMES, let us commit ourselves to traditional spiritual disciplines and prayer. As Charles Wesley said, “The best of all is Christ is with us!”
Comment by gary on October 28, 2013 at 7:06 pm
Mark – I hope you are right but I don’t think you have given the liberals enough credit for their ability to infiltrate the African church and spread their deception. They have certainly done a thorough job in deceiving the western European and United States UMC. They will not stop (I suspect it is because the great deceiver does not stop either in his war against God) their work of undermining the Gospel.
Comment by James Aldersgate on October 28, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Thank you for the hopeful comments. Pray they come to fruition.
Comment by Rodney Akers on October 28, 2013 at 8:29 pm
I am not as hopeful as Mark;however, I pray the Orthodox, Weselyan belief of the scripture carries the day. May the GLBT go in peace and join with the Metropolitan Church.
Comment by Peggi on October 29, 2013 at 10:14 am
The most meaningful sentence in this excellent blog is: “And the real conflict is not over sex per se but over biblical authority, the lordship and exclusivity of Christ, and understandings of the universal church, human nature, and redemption.” That statement alone also begs us to remember we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against ‘the tricks of the evil one’ (my translation). Instead of “giving the liberals more credit” let’s give God more credit for his lavish love for us and share His love with all – the love that transforms, strengthens and builds.
Comment by Bo Gabbert on October 29, 2013 at 11:22 am
AMEN . . . TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Comment by Carik on October 29, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Is there a reason Jesus was silent on this matter?
Comment by Bryan on October 29, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Jesus’ silence may not be because he didn’t think it was important If that is the thought. I suspect it has more to do with Jesus being a first century Rabbi. And like everyone in the Rabbinical tradition there was a great respect for the authority of the Hebrew scriptures. He and others probably didn’t comment on it because biblical authority was assumed and expected.
Comment by cleareyedtruthmeister on October 29, 2013 at 4:06 pm
From Matthew 19:
4 And He (Jesus) answering said to them, `Did ye not read, that He who made [them], from the beginning a male and a female made them,
5 and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall be — the two — for one flesh?
Comment by Adrian Croft on October 29, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Good response, cleareyed. Also, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus did not lower the sexual standards of his fellow Jews but instead raised the bar higher (Mt 5:28). Also, whenever a gay activist brings up the tired old “Jesus never even mentioned homosexuality,” I usually respond with “Who do you think understands the mind of Jesus better – you, or the apostle Paul, who condemned homosexuality in three different passages?”
Comment by Jeff Allen on October 30, 2013 at 8:27 am
Cleareyed’s response [below] proves that Jesus did make reference to this subject.
However, Carik, it’s never a good idea to believe that Jesus’ silence on a particular moral issue somehow signifies his approval. Based on that logic, Jesus never mentioned incest, pedophilia, or bestiality. Do you think he approved of these?
And the rest of the New Testament is equally inspired and authoritative for Christians…and there are several references to homosexuality, especially by the Apostle Paul.
Comment by Roger on October 29, 2013 at 5:14 pm
Defiance by Liberal Denominational Elites are incremental ways and tactics to weaken the resolve of the General Conference’s commitments and polity. Again, accountability is the key word for the day. Disciple John had to contend with false teachers and beliefs, etc. He said “1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” We are either on the inside with God or on the outside of Him Spiritually; just as Noah and family were on the inside of the ark and the world on the outside.
Comment by Dr. James White on October 30, 2013 at 8:42 am
Paul praises the 4 daughters of Phillip who were prophetesses in the church, which meant they had leadership and were speaking in the church. Many Pentecostal congregations have been using female pastors and leadership for a long long time.
Comment by A. R. Stewart on October 30, 2013 at 6:57 pm
We are all Children of God. I believe everyone should be treated fairly and with respect. Homosexuals are not a race of people, they cannot produce a homosexual child. I do not think their lifestyle is normal and I certainly do not believe they should be ordained or sanctioned marriage in the UMC.
Comment by Marco Bell on November 5, 2013 at 9:05 am
Dear A.R.Stewart, Thus far all Gay and Lesbian individuals are born from Heterosexual unions. That’s not intended to sound conclusive, but it is!
It is nice though, that you wish ALL peoples to be treated fairly.
Comment by Rev Sarah Flynn on November 5, 2013 at 10:19 am
Denial is not just a river in Egypt. Putting a ‘happy face’ on the decline of membership in the UMC by promising an eventual return to a more orthodox Methodist Church conveniently ignores the fact that now even conservative churches are losing members. It also ignores that the loss of membership is accompanied by a great deal of blame expressed by the alienated due to the judgementalism of conservative churches. Aside from the vacuousness of many liberal churches, those who have given up on Christianity blame the militant air of self righteousness excluded by preachers who follow your gospel. So, don’t count your returning chickens too soon, Mark Tooley. You may have lots of followers in Africa, but Americans are not part of that world, and attempts to make it so will only deepen the crisis which the UMC faces.
Comment by Rev Sarah Flynn on November 5, 2013 at 10:00 pm
And the dominoes continue to fall in favor of same sex marriage…which will forecast where the UMC will begin to ignore the anti gay policies of the church. In another 10 years or less only the rural South will be hanging onto this issue. Just like on the issue of interracial marriage.
What will African Methodists think this? Will they still want to be part of a church that de facto accepts gay people? Or will they like their conservative allies want to separate themselves from these fallen apostates? They have enough on their own plates. Why would they want to fight the losing battles for American conservative Methodists….unless there is money in the offering. Do you suppose that will be enough?
Comment by John S on November 6, 2013 at 8:17 am
If a church is losing members by faithfully witnessing to the truth of God, as put forth by God in his word, is that a bad thing?
The extreme emphasis of the UMC in America on bottoms in the pews, dollars in the accounts and influence in the halls of power betray a warped view of the church. Maybe this is why both conservative and liberal UMC churches are losing members.
Comment by Karen Booth on November 6, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Sarah, you have a very paternalistic and demeaning view of our African brothers and sisters.
Comment by Keith Wells on November 6, 2013 at 12:36 pm
http://umcconnections.org/2013/11/05/clinton-salutes-long-running-mission-work-new-york/
This is a link to a puff piece on Hillery Clinton at UM conection.My first comment slipped through , but my response to a direct question was blocked . My email to the editer was ignored . My comment to the questioner explaining I was blocked by the editor seems to be blocked as well.
Keith wells