Bishops Statement Re-Affirms Vows to Uphold UMC Doctrine, Discipline

on November 7, 2014

This is the last day of the annual, week-long meeting of the global Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church. Earlier this week, our bishops literally stood up together to signify their re-affirmation of their consecrations vows they took as bishops to guard the doctrine, unity, and Discipline of the UMC (which a few bishops and a larger number of liberal clergy have been undermining and disregarding). After several closed executive sessions, our active (non-retired) bishops voted, reportedly unanimously, to release the following brief statement, which was publicized minutes ago:

 

As bishops of The United Methodist Church, our hearts break because of the divisions that exist within the church.  We have been in constant prayer and conversation and affirm our consecration vow “to guard the faith, to seek the unity and to exercise the discipline of the whole church.” We recognize that we are one church in a variety of contexts around the world and that bishops and the church are not of one mind about human sexuality. Despite our differences, we are united in our commitment to be in ministry for and with all people.  We are also united in our resolve to lead the church together to fulfill its mandate—to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As we do so, we call on all United Methodists to pray for us and for one another.

  1. Comment by Pudentiana on November 7, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    Is this significant?

  2. Comment by John Lomperis on November 24, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    It’s a bit like if in a marriage retreat that included a bunch of known flagrant adulterers, everyone stood up in a ra-ra moment to say “let’s all stand up to re-affirm our marriage vows!” That would not be insignificant in such a context – but it would be woefully inadequate.

  3. Comment by mcorps on November 7, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    Closed, executive sessions = secret meetings. Maybe they would have more creds if they were more transparent.

  4. Comment by the_enemy_hates_clarity on November 7, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    ” ‘When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I chose it to mean–neither more nor less.’ ” Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland.

    In Christ,

    The enemy hates clarity

  5. Comment by ray worsham on November 8, 2014 at 12:09 am

    Would rather see Christ centered leadership than be assured they are resolved to lead in unity…. from the news coming out during the meeting it sounds like we can expect more of the same….

  6. Comment by NotTheSenator on November 8, 2014 at 4:08 am

    Now, the real question is this: If we printed this statement out, with signiture lines for each Bishop, and required copies to be framed in the UMC central offices and every Bishops offfice throughout the U.S., would there be as much support as Lomperis reports?
    I highly doubt the support would be unanimous

  7. Comment by NotTheSenator on November 8, 2014 at 4:10 am

    I also believe fewer Bishops would support this if there were consequences, such as defrockment, for supporters whose actions run contrary to the vows

  8. Comment by Mike Childs on November 9, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    Again the bishops give us no leadership. They are not even willing to discipline their own who are defying the discipline and undermining duty. With such leadership, it will be difficult to save the United Methodist Church. Their statement is more of the same, and that just will not do in these times. I am worried the UMC may not even make it to General Conference 2016, if this is the best the bishops have to offer. The bishops are pretty much making themselves irrelevant.

  9. Comment by Chuck C on November 14, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    The headline doesn’t match the weak statement the bishops released. John, is there more to this? The statement doesn’t seem to indicate any change from what they’ve been doing.

  10. Comment by John Lomperis on January 22, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    Yes, the statement was hardly a strong one. It including the re-affirmation of their responsibilities to guard the faith (i.e., defend the doctrine) and uphold the Discipline was not completely insignificant. But as I thought at the time, their subsequent behavior would demonstrate how serious they were about their own words.

  11. Comment by John S. on November 21, 2014 at 7:23 am

    Haven’t we seen this already? Words, no action, no accountability? When we see a couple bishops defrocked, some retirements revoked, then we might think the bishops mean to do something other than to protect the club.

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