GOOD NEWS: UMC Annual Conferences Reject Bishop’s Liberal Pro-Homosexuality, Anti-Liberty Agendas

on September 8, 2017

Within our United Methodist Church, there is plenty of well-known bad news about the leadership (and lack thereof) by our American bishops.

But fortunately, despite all the considerable power and privileges our bishops enjoy, we often see more local United Methodist leaders refusing to follow the liberal direction in which even their own bishops have tried to move the church.

We saw a couple of powerful examples of this earlier this spring and summer in the Philadelphia Episcopal Area. This area is comprised of both the Peninsula-Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania Conferences, and is presided over by Bishop Peggy Johnson.

At their 2017 annual conference sessions, actions were taken that amounted to rejecting Bishop Johnson’s liberal agendas in opposing the UMC’s orthodox teaching on homosexuality and in opposing basic legal protections for the freedom of conscience for Christians who do not share her liberalism.

In 2015, Bishop Johnson made a choice to join Bishops Thomas Bickerton and Jeremiah Park in releasing a public letter advocating for the then-latest LGBTQ activist cause, in a way that not only ignored the traditionalist United Methodist teachings on marriage each bishop vowed to uphold, but also rather lovelessly misrepresented the character of Christians who do not want to be forced to directly participate in same-sex union ceremonies. Their letter took a rather extreme position of limiting religious liberty to only “the right to our own personal beliefs,” as long as it does NOT extend to protections for people being allowed to actually behave according to their personal beliefs outside of church walls. At the time, IRD Director Mark Tooley noted troubling questions raised by the Bickerton-Park-Johnson letter.

More recently, Bishop Johnson proudly marched in the Philadelphia Gay Pride Parade, and then wrote a blog post celebrating the participation of some area United Methodists and a picture of herself and one such minister holding a “GOD IS GENDER QUEER” sign (pictured above).

Encompassing much of the “blue” states of Delaware and Maryland, the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, located within the rather liberal Northeastern Jurisdiction, has hardly been a bastion of any sort of conservatism. So when a group of activists affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) had good reason to expect quick approval of a resolution essentially promoting the stance of the conference’s own bishop of broadly opposing any government or private actions that, in the resolution’s words, “misuse the principle of religious freedom in ways that do harm by denying services…to anyone.” This Resolution #R-3 (which can be read by clicking on “Resolutions” at this link) did go a bit further by targeting not only businesses and governments, but also “non-profit and religious organizations” that violate this principle. But it was driven by the same basic anti-liberty approach of Bishop Johnson.

Both the Bickerton-Park-Johnson letter and the resolution entitled “Rejecting ‘Religious Freedom’ as a Means of Discrimination” took care to avoid any direct and honest acknowledgement of the actual cases that are driving these recent debates over religious liberty as it relates to same-sex weddings. At the same time, both statements make such allusions as, in the words of the bishops’ letter, acknowledging that “[r]ecent events have highlighted the discomfort some religious people experience about providing goods and services to same-sex couples seeking to be married.” Such allusions indicate the authors’ awareness of the cases. For a quick refresher, here are links to some of the more high-profile cases of Christian small business owners (such as bakers or florists) who do not want to be forced to directly support spiritually harmful same-sex wedding rituals, or otherwise forced to endorse homosexual practice, facing heavy-handed government punishments under the banner of “anti-discrimination” laws – ranging from these brothers and sisters in Christ being forced by the inherently violent force of the government to pay crushing fines as high as $135,000, lose their livelihoods, print messages with which they morally disagree, or be thrown in jail (the latter potential punishment NOT being isolated to one state).

This is yet another example of liberal United Methodists like Bishop Johnson and the RMN crowd being far less willing to extend basic Golden-Rule compassion towards those outside their ideological tribe than we have seen from some more secular gay-rights advocates. Apparently for them, in order to maintain their rejection of biblical teaching about sexual self-control, they feel they must also choose to reject other biblical teaching, such as the obligation to be in solidarity with parts of the body of Christ suffering bullying, harassment, death threats, ruinous fines, and the threat of jail, all for their desire to not run their small businesses divorced from Christian values. And both the letter and the resolution seem far more interested in caricaturing the victims as being somehow unloving (for declining to encourage people to pursue a form of self-harm!) than actually listening to the nuanced, compassionate, and incredibly gracious perspective of such brothers and sisters.

Thankfully, the majority folk of even the Peninsula-Delaware Conference evidently feel rather differently. They voted to reject this resolution which, at its core, basically affirmed Bishop Johnson’s anti-liberty, anti-ecumenical approach. Given the great deference bishops typically enjoyed, this rejection of her agenda was rather striking.

Another proposed resolution noted that our denomination’s membership “holds diverse opinions regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression,” but called on us to come together to support “gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender teens” who are at risk for bullying, depression, and family rejection. While there are problems with assigning such identities to children, and the resolution’s WHEREAS statement unhelpfully cited a sloppily bad past UMC resolution on “heterosexism” that has actually expired (and so is no longer an official UMC position), traditionalists can acknowledge that such resolutions do highlight a real, legitimate concern, as I have noted elsewhere. But in a pleasant surprise, this resolution was amended to ultimately expand its concern to include “all youth” (rather than ONLY those who check any sort of LGBTQ box) and express the goal “that they may be guided to accept God’s grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to fully embrace and live out their true identity in Jesus Christ.”

A month later, the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference met and considered a large number of resolutions. This group ended up passing neither proposed resolutions in favor of religious liberty protections nor a proposed resolution opposed to such protections. The former were likely hurt by tying the cause of religious liberty to efforts to repeal the Johnson Amendment and allow churches to legally endorse political candidates (an issue that is very different from and more controversial than more modestly saying that Christian bakers should not be jailed).

More significantly however, the Rev. Herb Snyder (pictured above) submitted a resolution that would have promoted participation in LGBTQ “pride” parades and other events. As noted, Bishop Johnson is rather public about strongly favoring this position. She even touted the resolution on her aforementioned blog post.

However, the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference voted by a strong majority to gut the resolution by taking out the strong, specific, LGBTQ-affirming language, leaving in place a statement more non-controversially and broadly calling for congregations to welcome all people. When it became clear that they could not get the affirmation of LGBTQ activism, lifestyles, and “pride” that they wanted, despite even the bishop’s clear liberal biases, the sponsors withdrew the resolution.

We at UMAction have long documented various ways in which many liberal American United Methodist bishops have been trying to lead the church in harmful, unfaithful directions. But as the above examples remind us, often the rest of the church is standing up, pushing back, and refusing to go along. Thanks be to God!

  1. Comment by Adam Hunter on September 8, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    Keep up the fight. Guarantee your organization is making a huge impact.

  2. Comment by Terril D. Littrell on September 8, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    Thanks be to God!

  3. Comment by Judy Bailey on September 8, 2017 at 10:27 pm

    I am sick of these weak Bishops trying to force this evil on us as acceptable. They have led so many down a path of destruction. They will be held accountable and cast into an eternal Hell. They have betrayed God, their vows and the flocks they were given to look after. I pray for boldness that Christians would stand up to this disgraceful vile leadership that has opened the gates of Hell to our Church with their depraved minds.

  4. Comment by Ted on September 9, 2017 at 1:31 am

    Amen Judy! Amen!

  5. Comment by Michael Vannoy on September 9, 2017 at 11:51 am

    HI Judy,
    while reading your post I was reminded of something I heard years ago and I’m sure it fits this situation. It goes “The walls of Hell are lined with Priests and Nuns”. I believe they have reserved space for misguided Bishops as well!

  6. Comment by Kevin on September 9, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    While you are entitled your opinion about my bishop, not sure Christ would agree with the way you expressed it – very unloving and definitely unChristian. Both ACs under Bishop Johnson are more conservative than people might expect and debates on these topics never sink to the name calling Judy used.

  7. Comment by Wayne on September 16, 2017 at 11:09 pm

    Kevin,

    Judy simply stated her opinion of the situation and never once called the bishops names. She merely stated they are weak. BTW, the Bible is very clear about Christian leaders leading the flock astray. They will be held accountable before God on Judgment Day for their beliefs and actions, as we all will be. As for “unloving and unChristian”, what did she say that leads to this conclusion? The Bible states we are to “speak the truth in love”, which means saying what is true because she cares about the apostacy and heresy that is happening in our beloved UMC denomination. Frankly, Jesus certainly was quite explicit and frank with the spiritual leaders of His day. He called them a “brood of vipers”! Doesn’t sound very nice? It is certainly stronger than what Judy said! And our Lord wasn’t afraid of offending someone’s feelings if they were in the wrong. (Ref: the turning of the money changers’ tables in the temple)

  8. Comment by Laura on September 28, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    How is this good news? It is extremely hurtful to God’s children, made beautifully, and wanting to honor who they are while honoring their faith. This is not ok to condemn and in time, I hope God can pry your heart and mind open to see it as the fear it really is. I am a lesbian and I am Known by God, and loved by God. Just as I am.

  9. Comment by Anne B on September 9, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    I still call myself a United Methodist, but the sort of nastiness and snobbery in this article makes me ashamed to say so. I am grateful that my Savior, Jesus Christ, welcomes all imperfect persons such as myself, along with hateful, judgemental, arrogant, exclusionary beings such as yourselves. Please read Christ’s explicit instructions for us. They are so simple and direct. They are often printed in red, to make them easy to find.

  10. Comment by Wayne on September 16, 2017 at 10:58 pm

    Anne,

    Nowhere in this article did I read any “sort of nastiness and snobbery”, as you called it. That is your opinion and perception, but it is inaccurate. John presented the facts, such as they are, and then proceeded to inform us as to what the various PA bishops are doing and the AC’s response. Those are the facts and his perception of the situation. It just so happens he is correct. Full disclosure: I am a UM living in PA and am saddened by the liberal leaning of this denomination’s leadership.

  11. Comment by Laura on September 28, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    It was extremely nasty and snobby

  12. Comment by Dean on September 9, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    A bishop’s perceived support for a resolution makes it more likely to pass? Ha. Ha.

  13. Comment by Undergroundpewster on September 9, 2017 at 9:46 pm

    A heretical bishop will not be daunted by one surprising rejection of their progressive agenda. Next time they will stack the deck with their supporters and ram it down the pewsitters throats. I will never forget what Sarah Hey taught me, revisionists are much more politically organized and together and never give up.

  14. Comment by Kevin on September 10, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    Our Bishop is entitled to her opinions and that includes her desire to see the BOD changed. In the meantime, she upholds what the BOD states. Despite what you think, not all ACs in the NE jurisdiction are liberal. Both of hers are conservative and unlike Judy’s choice of words, debate these issues in a respectful, Christian manner.

  15. Comment by Terri on September 16, 2017 at 7:42 am

    I would be very careful about naming those who will be cast into hell. Christ alone is judge. Christ alone. Peggy Johnson is the most Christ-centered person I have ever known. But I see nothing of my savior in these vicious comments. Go feed someone who is hungry. Raise up someone who has fallen. Your obsession with sexuality is what is killing our denomination.

  16. Comment by Randy Kiel on September 21, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    Terri,
    You state that it is the “obsession [of the traditionalists] with sexuality is what is killing our denomination.”
    We traditionalists are not obsessed with sexuality; rather, those who are attempting to push through changes in our doctrine are the ones obsessed. Witness their actions at the last few United Methodist General Conferences.
    If you choose to participate in a reasoned discussion, please cease throwing blame as a means to incite reaction, especially when it is misplaced.

  17. Comment by Ginger Carroll on September 28, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    I’m so grateful for you and other believers who uphold the scriptures over the so called “social justice.” I attend a Methodist church, not because it is Methodist but because it follows the scriptures. Again, thank you and all praise to our Lord Jesus Christ!

  18. Comment by Norma J Fillingham on July 7, 2018 at 10:53 am

    can anyone tell me which of our UM Bishops are pro-LGBT? So many articles refer to the liberal bishops, like everyone knows who they are. I do not know. I want to know which ones I need to be praying about.

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