Earlier this week, Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett released an updated version of her statement on the ongoing controversy being imposed upon her.
We have previously reported on retired Bishop Mel Talbert’s announced plans to intrude into the territory of the North Alabama bishop to perform a same-sex blessing ceremony in open defiance of United Methodist church law.
In its latest publicity stunt, the well-funded Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), a well-funded, unofficial caucus devoted to “any means necessary tactics” demanding church acceptance of sex outside of man-woman marriage (including but not limited to homosexual practice), released a statement announcing that on October 26, Talbert, formerly of the California-Nevada Conference, will venture over to Birmingam, Alabama to become “the first UMC bishop to publically perform a marriage for a same-sex couple.” At RMN’s “Churchquake” convocation, Talbert reportedly bragged that “[t]he entire college of bishops of the western Jurisdiction [to which he is technically accountable] offer their support to” this push for such so-called “biblical disobedience.”
Talbert has long been known for activism for unrestricted abortion and the LGBT cause, as well as his belligerently bullying of evangelical United Methodists. With his scheduled action in Birmingham, he would not only be rejecting the clear teaching of the Old and New Testaments along with 20 centuries of very consistent church teaching, but also demonstrating (once again) that he is simply not a man of his word, since, like all United Methodist bishops, he made a solemn vow and covenant to uphold the law of the UMC.
Furthermore, there has long been an understanding among UMC clergy that a very major no-no is, in the words of ¶2702 of the Book of Discipline, “behavior that undermines the ministry of another pastor.” And there has lately been a lot of lip-service paid in official UMC circles to the need for the denominational old guard to make room for newer leaders.
Yet now this angrily self-righteous, long retired clergyman is in a very rude, damaging, unwelcome, and anti-collegial way barging into the territory of a much-younger clergywoman to illegally do something that he knows (but obviously does not care) will greatly undermine her ministry. After October 26, he can expect to go back home winning all sorts of accolades from the secular gay activist foundations who fund RMN. He will have earned his reward. Meanwhile, Bishop Wallace-Padgett, just starting out in her episcopal ministry, will left to deal with all of the messy consequences, including a media frenzy distracting from her disciple-making and church-building ministry, raw emotional fights provoked within congregations she oversees, and the threat of defections from her conservative-leaning annual conference.
Here is the updated version of Bishop Wallace-Padgett’s gracious and commendable public statement:
For Release
September 30, 2013
As United Methodists we have a system that not only connects us for ministry as a worldwide denomination, but also allows us to dialogue and prayerfully discern and make decisions together. Our denomination relies on the integrity of this “order” we have chosen. Throughout our Methodist history we have faced issues where we disagree, but working through our defined processes and respecting one another we have prayerfully discussed and discerned together. Our process for determining church law involves the prayerful discernment of hundreds of delegates who gather every four years representing millions of United Methodists from around the world.
Only at this gathering, which we call General Conference, can the church’s stance on any issue be changed. As United Methodists we uphold that process as much as we uphold the current result of that process, our 2012 Book of Discipline. Any disregard for that order puts the integrity of our covenant together in jeopardy.
A retired United Methodist bishop notified me that he plans to travel to North Alabama, the area for which I am responsible, with the intention of breaking church law. He plans in late October to officiate at the celebration of a ceremony of a same-sex couple who were recently married in Washington, D.C. Though the couple are members of a United Methodist Church in the North Alabama Conference, the celebration will not take place in a United Methodist Church. I urged the retired bishop to reconsider as his officiating at this ceremony would be in violation of United Methodist Church law. I am also concerned that it would encourage the public to only define The United Methodist Church in North Alabama by one matter and not by the rich range of ministries of North Alabama local churches such as feeding the hungry, ministry with the poor, offering hope for those in addiction, sharing the gospel with our neighbors and welcoming all people to worship together and celebrate the sacrament of holy communion. For a bishop or any ordained or licensed minister to disregard a law of the church creates a breach of the covenant they made at their consecration, ordination or licensing.
Our culture is divided around our understandings of relationships between same sex partners. Likewise there is much debate, pain and struggle among faithful Christians about interpretations of biblical teaching on same-sex relationships. Our United Methodist 2012 Book of Discipline affirms that all persons are of sacred worth and that God’s grace is available to all. Every person is welcome in our churches. The Discipline of our denomination also states that we consider the practice of homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teaching. Our ministers are not permitted to conduct ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions or perform same sex wedding ceremonies.
As a bishop of the United Methodist Church, I took a vow to abide by and uphold the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. I am also committed to continuing to focus those I lead on our mission which is broader than any one issue. The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I appreciate prayers for all involved in this difficult and painful situation.
This statement is for release in its entirety with no redactions.
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett
North Alabama Conference
Comment by Pudentiana on October 3, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Lord bless this woman of true courage who has spoken truth to power in her statement describing the affront to Church Discipline by the arrogant, rebellious and far from “prophetic” retire Bishop Talbert. Lord preserve us from such as he.
Comment by Robert Thomason on October 7, 2013 at 12:15 am
How did this childish man ever become an ordained minister, much less a bishop?
Comment by John S on October 7, 2013 at 8:25 am
You need to meet more ordained elders. Most aren’t like this but there is a strong substrata of self important people running loose. As past masters of working the crowd and networking they often advance.
Comment by Lamar Aiazzi on October 7, 2013 at 2:18 pm
As in Biblical history, a woman is, once again, stepping up to take a courageous stance for faith when her male peers retreat into timidity–an inspiring stand. I am praying other UMC bishops will emulate her.
Comment by Fred on October 8, 2013 at 2:51 am
God bless Bishop Wallace-Pagett for her courage. It is inspiring to see her actually do something. How refreshing for a bishop! However, this response will do almost nothing to stop this act of terrorism. How arrogant and mean in spirit Talbert is to go into the territory of another Bishop, especially one who is still so new to her task and create all of this pain. But the worn out, pointless words of “discernment”, “dialogue” or even “our culture is divided” on the issue (the old, “not of one mind” phrase) will fall far short of repelling this invader and destroyer of The Church. No doubt the North Alabama Conference has already lost thousands due to his actions even if he recanted today. They will lose thousands upon thousands if he brings his attack. She will have to repel him with an appeal to The Council of Bishops, perhaps something with the Judicial Council if possible and fighting him with everything including the kitchen sink. War is upon her from an unbelieving invader. These folks are more than happy to “dialogue” and “prayerfully discern” if it keeps believers stuck in their seats while the Talberts of this world smash down the walls and drive good people out of The UMC. If she hopes to be at all successful for the North Alabama Conference she will have to go after him just as hard as he is damaging that conference. But, that is the responsibility and duty of a bishop.
Comment by gary on October 9, 2013 at 6:01 pm
thank the Lord for Bishop Wallace-Padgett. She is being true to the denominational doctrine and Biblical doctrine. I think that bishop Talbert is a stain on the fabric of the UMC and should be relieved on his pension and status within the UMC.
Comment by jack golson on October 13, 2013 at 3:12 pm
I don’t see anyone here condemning the fact that a woman has assumed the position of a bishop of the church – not just a pastor, but a bishop! If you truly care about what the Bible says, consider the VERY clear direction set down in 1 Corinthians 14:34 – “As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” The fact that people purporting to be Christians can condemn gay marriage but not the clear usurping of the authority of the church, against clear teaching in the Bible, is rank hypocrisy.
Comment by Angela Lemmons on October 18, 2013 at 5:53 pm
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:16-18)
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
Comment by Phyllis on October 17, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Thank you for your courage, Bishop Wallace-Padgett. This man-child is, indeed, a bully in the truest sense. Stand strong and know that you have more “backers” than you know. We’ll pray that The Lord will somehow make his presence known at this abominable “ceremony”.
Comment by Mary E. on October 19, 2013 at 2:19 pm
We must stand together to protect the church law against people who want to change it to suit their needs. In Christian love me must extend love to all people, but that does not mean we must accept any and all behavior. Same sex marriage is a slippery slope that we do not want to go down! Mary E.