Filipino UMC Leaders Stand with Global Methodist Church, Oppose “Christmas Covenant” Regionalization

Methodist Voices on March 16, 2021

Today, United Methodists from all around the Philippines released a “call to unity in holiness and truth” standing with the emerging Global Methodist Church and forcefully rejecting liberal regionalization proposals like the Christmas Covenant.  This group of over 100 (and growing!) Filipino United Methodist leaders “pray[s] for an amicable, gracious, and peaceful separation that will release us for new possibilities (Acts 15:36-41)” and expresses strong support for the Global Methodist Church “to continue the original vision of Methodism for this and for future generations.” 

They pointedly oppose such regional segregation proposals as “the Christmas Covenant or similar plans, which will enable policies regarding human sexuality and standards of ordination to be decided by region.” This broad range of Filipino United Methodist leaders “cannot simply take part in a denomination that has no uniform stand on questions that are clearly theological in nature” and pledge to “resist moves to keep the unity of the church without holiness in truth.” Liberal activists have been heavily promoting such regionalization plans. The LGBTQ activist Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), which has long worked to undermine traditional sexual morality in the UMC, appears to have been very involved in a webinar held earlier today promoting the Christmas Covenant to Filipinos, with San Francisco-based RMN staffer Izzy Alvaran processing registrations for and apparently hosting the webinar. 

While awaiting a General Conference decision on the Protocol proposal to divide our denomination, these Filipino United Methodist leaders “remain faithful members of the United Methodist Church” and “strongly discourage any premature separation.”

The statement was signed by General Conference delegates and other leaders from all three of the United Methodist Church’s episcopal areas in the Philippines, as well as leaders of Filipino-planted United Methodist congregations in two Middle Eastern countries. 

The full statement of Filipino United Methodist leaders, followed by a list of original signatories, is below:

CONTINUING THE WESLEYAN VISION:

A CALL TO UNITY IN HOLINESS AND TRUTH

By the surpassing grace of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY (2 Cor. 9:14-15), John Wesley organized the Methodist movement in England to raise a repentant people who would pursue holiness through practices of disciplined obedience (Mat. 3:7; 4:17; 5:48). He saw great potential in people, in who they could become by abiding in Jesus through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13, Gal. 5:16-17). Hence, it was for this reason that the doctrine of entire sanctification defined Methodist identity and practice (1 Thes. 5:23-24; 1 Jn. 4:16-17). Similarly, in America, Bishops Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke captured what is at the heart of Methodism when they proclaimed in 1796: “Our grand object is to raise and preserve a holy and united people. Holiness is our aim, and we pay no regard to numbers, but in proportion as they possess the genuine principles of vital religion.” (1 Pet. 1:3; 14-16)

Methodism in the Philippines in the decades before World War II thrived under the same vision. Filipino Methodist preachers and American missionaries promoted holiness through what they called “culto ng pagbabagong buhay” (life-changing meetings) or “culto Pentecostal” (Pentecostal meetings). It was not uncommon to see people in these gatherings so convicted of sin that they gave up cockfighting and drinking or surrendered their cigarettes and buyo (betel-nut chewing) at the altar. In some instances, couples living together outside of wedlock would get married as a result. For this reason, Methodism experienced phenomenal growth during this period since these transformations testified to its ability to bring change or re-order people’s lives through the power of the Holy Spirit (Mat. 3:8; Eph. 4:11-13; 2 Cor. 5:17).

Just as our Methodist forebears before us, we too yearn to continue the same vision for scriptural holiness for our generation (Jud. 1:3-4). We prayerfully seek God’s direction on how to faithfully retain our Methodist identity in light of recent events in the United Methodist Church, which challenges us for prayerful discernment. In light of the impending division of our denomination or “graceful separation” through the proposed “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation and Restructuring,” we add our voice to the many conversations occurring within our global connection as we move toward General Conference 2022. Hence, with one voice, we humbly declare the following:

1. We will wholeheartedly support the formation of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) once the General Conference approves the “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation and Restructuring,” also known as the Feinberg Protocol, which will create a path for a graceful separation in the United Methodist Church. This should not be misconstrued as a call for separation but rather an expression of our God-given right to openly declare our stand while our church is undergoing discernment leading up to the General Conference. The GMC envisions to be “committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the authority and inspiration of the Scriptures, and the work of the Holy Spirit in conveying God’s truth, grace, renewal, and sanctification to all people who repent and believe” as outlined in the “Atlanta Statement.” This declaration was signed in March 2020 by renewal leaders and eight bishops of the United Methodist Church, including Bishop Pedro Torio of the Baguio Episcopal Area in the Philippines. To view the statement, please see here. For more information about the GMC, please see here.

2. As we await the General Conference’s decision on the Feinberg Protocol, we remain faithful members of the United Methodist Church and continue to steadfastly support its ministries. We also strongly discourage any premature separation, and we call for unity as we wait for the General Conference and continue to minister to our people during the pandemic. We understand that our endorsement for forming a new global Methodist body may be misperceived as a lack of loyalty to the United Methodist Church, a church that has reared us in the Christian faith and which we call our spiritual home since birth. However, this should only be seen as an expression of our participation in the process of discernment our whole global United Methodist connection has been undergoing for the past five years on whether to permit same-sex marriage and the ordination of people in same-sex relationships. We believe that it is our God-given right to participate in the discernment process and that no one should be censured for doing so regardless of which side one belongs to (Rom. 2:15; 9:1). Our call mainly anticipates the approval of the proposed Feinberg Protocol, which will create a path for a graceful separation in the United Methodist Church. The Feinberg Protocol, as it currently stands, enjoys supermajority support among our leaders as well as traditionalist and progressive groups in our denomination. If the General Conference votes to approve it, we only wish to be prepared by guiding individuals and congregations in the Philippines who do not desire to align themselves with a liberal post-separation United Methodist Church.

3. As Filipino United Methodists who hold to the primacy of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16), we are committed to the revival of Methodism in the Philippines (Rev. 2:4-5). We also believe that the push to allow same-sex marriage and the ordination of persons in same-sex relationships in the United Methodist Church is but one of the many symptoms pointing to how far it has drifted away from the spirit of the Wesleyan revival and its vision of holiness of life and heart. It points to the lack of spiritual vitality, accountability and doctrinal integrity in our churches which largely account for the never-ending exodus of Methodists, primarily young people, to other evangelical denominations in the country. Hence, we envision the birth of a new Methodist denomination that will not only bring an end to this exodus but also bring new people to the saving work of Jesus Christ (Mat. 28:18-20). We hope to recapture the Spirit-filled driven passion of early Methodists in the British Isles and North America and that of our Filipino Methodist forebears while adapting to new ways of evangelizing and discipling people towards Christlikeness in the 21st Century. Simply put, we hope and pray for the creation of a new Methodist denomination which is not really new but rather a faithful continuation of the original vision of Methodism to “spread scriptural holiness throughout the land.”

4. We also strongly take exception to the proposals for the creation of a regional conference structure as outlined in the Christmas Covenant or similar plans, which will enable policies regarding human sexuality and standards of ordination to be decided by region. This regional conference structure will result in doctrinal incoherence as each regional conference will be free to interpret what the Bible says about human sexuality differently. However, we firmly believe that God’s truth, as revealed in the Bible, is not relative. It is always true, no matter the region or location. We cannot simply take part in a denomination that has no uniform stand on questions that are clearly theological in nature. We will refuse any attempts to twist long-held Biblical truths about human sexuality, or that will put cultural shifts or societal pressures first over the truth of God’s Word (Rom. 12:1-2). We will also resist moves to keep the unity of the church without holiness in truth. For when Jesus prayed to the Father that his disciples “may be one” (Jn. 17:11), he also prayed, “sanctify them by the truth” (Jn. 17:17).

5. We are not against persons who self-identify as LGBTQ, and we envision a church that will come alongside them as a loving community (Mic. 6:8; Mat. 22:36-40). We believe that Jesus Christ died for all and therefore God’s grace—preventing (2 Tim. 1:9-10), convincing (Jn. 16:8), justifying (Eph. 2:8), and sanctifying (Rom. 8:13)—is available to all. We also strongly condemn any rhetoric or action that degrades self-identified LGBTQ persons or diminishes their worth as human beings initially created in the image of God. Nevertheless, we believe that God’s grace is not cheap grace. We prayerfully expect everyone who has covenanted themselves to our faith community to repent and turn away from sins, profess faith in Jesus, and walk under the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. We affirm God’s design for marriage as between male and female as clearly defined in the Bible and held by Christian tradition (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7, 21-24). We believe that God calls us to holy living and prohibits acts that have devastating effects upon persons, societies, and the world (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

6. Finally, we pray for an amicable, gracious, and peaceful separation that will release us for new possibilities (Acts 15:36-41). The prolonged debate surrounding same-sex marriage and the ordination of persons in same-sex relationships have led well-meaning United Methodists to hurt each other to the detriment of their global witness. This has to stop. There is wisdom in parting ways, and the Feinberg Protocol provides a way for us to do this amicably. We believe that separation will free us from discord and animosity and enable us to live out our full potential as people called Methodists in the Philippines under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We do not harbor any ill will towards family, friends, and colleagues who do not share in our ideals, and we strongly reject any un-Christlike attitudes towards them (Rom. 13:8-10). However, we respectfully disagree with them out of love. If the General Conference approves the Feinberg Protocol, we release them to be free to form a more liberal version of Methodism that they believe God is calling them to be. Likewise, our prayer is that we free ourselves to continue the original vision of Methodism for this and for future generations.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we dedicate ourselves to promoting the above statements. May we be a “holy and united people” living out faithfully our call as Wesleyan followers of Jesus Christ.

Signed,

CONTINUING THE WESLEYAN VISION: 

A CALL TO UNITY IN HOLINESS AND TRUTH

SIGNATORIES

NAME DESIGNATION LOCAL  CHURCHOTHER
Rev. Luther Oconer Associate Professor of  United Methodist StudiesUnited Theological  Seminary, Dayton,  Ohio. Affiliate Faculty, Wesley Divinity  School Elder, PAMPAC
Rev. Jonavern P. Lungub Admin Pastor Abu Dhabi UMC,  UAEElder, PAC
Atty. Carlos “Kuya  Caloy” Cao JrDiaconal pastor Former DOLE Undersecretary &  POEA Administrator; “pro bono”  legal counsel for OFWs; RPACE  Principal Lay Delegate, 2012  General Conference; FEBC  702DZAS Broadcaster
Rev. Marcel Andres  TanguilanAdmin Pastor Knox UMC Elder, NEPAC
Rev. Leyda B. Yambot Spiritual Health Officer Mary Johnston Hospital
Deac. Esther Lovidad CE Deaconess The Good  Samaritan UMC
Rev. Jonathan Leo Belen  LoscosAssociate Pastor Puno UMC
Rev. Edric M. Ancheta Admin Pastor Grace UMC PAC (NWMMD)
Rev. David Sablan Jr Retired Pastor/DS St John UMC Former District Superintendent,  Whole province of Cavite; Former  Registrar of Board of Ordained  Ministry, PAC; Former  Chairperson District Committee  on Ordained Ministry, SED  QCPACE; Director Healing and  Wholeness Ministry
Rev. Jesus B. Villamin Admin Pastor Lakeview UMC
Rev. Joanne T.  ValenzuelaYouth Pastor South Pampanga District,  PAMPAC 
Rev. Jonathan P. Razon Admin Pastor Living Faith UMC,  Murong, Bagabag,  Nueva Vizcaya
Sonny Matias E.  HabaconMember Taytay UMC RPACE – Lay Leader 
Geronimo Jerome  EnervaAdmin Pastor Qatar UMC
Leilani S. Pendre LSM Chairperson Marikina UMC RPACE – MD Treasurer
Vida Mei P. Rivera NOW Ministries  Chairperson, Certified  Lay Speaker (New Life) Arayat  UMCPAMPAC – LSM Chairperson,  member ACYM
Ellery P. Ortiz Puno UMC Chairperson PCC- Commission on  Archives & History
Atty. Gideon C. Salatan Lay
Rev. Jose L. Padang Retired TARPAC
Rev. Hector F. Guzman Student at United  Theological Seminary,  Dayton, OhioEMPAC
Rev. Prudencio I. Peralta Associate Pastor Taytay UMC
Rev. Angel P. Ponio Jr Admin Pastor DFRRM UMC,  Ascomo, GuaguaWest Pampanga District Finance  Chairperson
Pamela G. Cruz Taytay UMC AC Chairperson
Pastor Tristan Tiu Jayme Admin Pastor Al Ain UMC, UAE
Rodolfo L. Pendre Marikina UMC RPACE – UMM Vice President
Ra Bonnie Sabatin Council Chairperson Abu Dhabi UMC,  UAEPAC (NWMMD)
Maria Florentina E. de  Leon (Girlie)PSPR Chairperson Taytay UMC President Taytay UM Christian  School Inc.
Rosendo Gadon Gala Jr Admin Pastor Sharjah UMC,  UAE
Ambrocio P. De Leon Finance Chairperson Grace UMC PAC (NWMMD)
Olivia Verna A. De Leon Lay Leader Grace UMC Deaconess 1968 Harris graduate,  PAC Lay Delegate 2012 Lay Delegate to the PCC.  Member, Council of Advisers,  Aldersgate International Ministry,  Philippines.
Analiza T. Lising Outreach Chairperson Council Vice Chairperson(New Life) Arayat  UMC. PAMPACChairperson of AELCI board of  school management
Ramon U. Carlos BOT Chairperson Marikina UMC RPACE – Metro District Lay  Leader
Zona Paz B. Tangcuanco Assigned Deaconess (New Life) Arayat  UMCHead Teacher, AELCI
Rev. Richard F. Ramos  II. DMinHealing and Wellness  MinistryFirst Methodist  Carrollton, Texas
Eva M. Ramos First Methodist  Carrollton, TexasTexas Harris Alumni Assoc.  President
Marlon R. Munoz SPPRC Chairperson Mexico UMC,  PAMPAC
Nathan R. Esguerra PSPR Chairperson Cornerstone UMC RPACE – MYAF President
Lilian I. Carreon Lay Leader Taytay UMC RPACE – Lay Delegate
Rose Marie P. Regalia Asst Lay Leader,  Chairperson Prayer  Ministry, Coordinator for  LSM, Certified Lay  Speaker Puno UMC
Ruth Obra-Labargan PPR Chairperson New Corella UMC East Mindanao PAC CFA  member, principal lay delegate to  Gen Con.
Joyce M. Basilio Nurture chairperson Mexico UMC,  PAMPAC
Noel T. Barcelona Lay Servant Marikina UMC
Ptr. Queenie C. Balingit Admin Pastor Sunlin UMC,  Macabebe  PAMPAC
Mary Grace H. Corpuz Finance Chairperson Cansinala UMC,  PAMPAC
Engr. Elenor S. Malonzo Lay Leader Abu Dhabi UMC  (UMCAD)Vice Chairperson, UAE  Coordinating Council
Rev. Salvador G.  CrisostomoAdmin Pastor Villa Lolita UMC,  Taytay, Rizal
Celia R. Mendoza Lay Leader Cainta UMC RPACE CFA Co-chairperson,  RPACE BOT Treasurer, MD  Statistician
Plenee Grace J. Castillo Membership Secretary Marikina UMC
Alvin C. Balingit Council Chairperson Cansinala UMC,  PAMPAC
Vianne C. Delda Lay Leader The UMC – WesleyVice- President of South  Pampanga District UMYAF ,  PAMPAC
Vibelle C. Delda Finance Chairperson The UMC – WesleyRepresentative of the Steering  Committee of South Pampanga  District, PamPAC
Ismael Camaso III Council Chairperson Good Samaritan  First UMC
Vicky Castorillo Evangelism Chairperson Taytay UMC RPACE
Andy Castorillo Taytay UMC UMM Rizal District Vice President
Augusto P. De Leon Chairperson, Building  Committee President, UMMGrace UMC
Rubyrose V. Tubal Nurture Chairperson Children’s Ministry  HeadPandan Mission  Church, Antique
Alicia M. Reyes Administrative Assistant Taytay UMC
Joe Marie O. Dizon UMYAF President TUMC – Wesley South Pampanga District UMYAF  Secretary
Nel E. Habacon Finance Chairperson Taytay UMC RD – RPACE
Djoanne Nicole Tenorio Good News UMC,  Aklan
Wawie Castillo Council member TGSFUMC
Junel Castillo Council member TGSFUMC
Pastor Socratis Galiga Jr Mission Pastor The First UMC  Dubai, The RAK  Mission
Pastor Aaron B. Bucud Mission Pastor The First UMC  Dubai, Fujairah  Mission
Bhin Perez New Life UMC,  Pasig CityChairperson, RPACE Council on  Young People’s Ministry &  RPACE CFA Secretary
Rolaida Acosta Church Council  SecretaryAbu Dhabi UMC,  UAEPAC (NWMMD)
Rev. Milo De Vera Admin Pastor Marikina UMC,  RPACECFA Member BOOM Member DCOM Member
Ulysis Ambucay Jr. DEA Licensed Lay  PreacherWestern Visayas District Lay  Leader Wester Visayas District  Philippines Central Conference  Principal Delegate
VPAC-WVD Lay
Pamela Cruz AC Chairperson Lay Delegate to RPACETaytay United  Methodist Church Rizal District RPACE
Joy Arnelli Tan Christian Education  ChairmanGood News UMC UMYF Western Visayas District – CNFD Chair
Jocelyn Diaz – Fielding England
Renaly Somosierra Member Grace UMC Dover UMC
Atty. George Matthew  HabaconRPACE Chancellor Taytay UMC RD-PACE
Pastor Dennis Nama Mission Pastor Abu Dhabi UMC,  Mussafah Mission
Rev. Milo De Vera Admin Pastor Marikina UMC,  RPACECFA Member BOOM Member DCOM Member
Michelle Dudang-Ortiz CE Deaconess Puno UMC QCPACE
Merle M. Defensor Witness Chairman Taytay UMC Lay Leader UMWSCS Treasurer RD-PACE 
Karmina Lopez Deaconess Kamuning First  UMCQC-PACE
Elizalde Parungao Financial Secretary Certified Lay SpeakerNew Life UMC, Arayat PampangaAuditor/Nurture, East Pampanga  District UMYAF
Renato Velasquez Church Historian and  Chair, Committee on  Archives and HistoryPuno UMC Lay Member to the QC-PACE Member, QC-PACE Committee  on Equitable Salaries Member, QC-PACE NWD District  Committeeon the Ministry
Maria Lolita Uy Lay Speaker Taytay UMC RPACE
Carmelita G. Isip Church History  Committee ChairpersonShekinah UMC Principal Lay Delegate East District Committee Member,  DCOM Nominations
Dexter Desear Lay Leader TFUMC, Dubai,  UAEChairperson – Coordinating  Council Middle East Probationary District

Please join us and make a stand! If you wish to add your name to this statement, please go to this form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/FUMT1/ACallForUnityInHolinessAndTruth

Please allow 1-2 days for your submission to be processed and added to our list of signatories.

God bless!

  1. Comment by Luke Landers on March 17, 2021 at 1:40 pm

    Very convincing! Thank you, Filipino brothers and sisters.

  2. Comment by William on March 18, 2021 at 7:40 am

    It would be good if these faithful and real Methodists could come to America on a missionary trip and educate our traditional Methodist brothers and sisters on what is really going on and the absolute necessity of transferring to the Global Methodist Church in order to carry on true Wesleyan Methodism as founded by John Wesley. Why? Because centrists/liberal Methodists are going to do their dead level best to FOOL as many traditionalists as possible into staying in the post-separation UMC in order to keep collecting their MONEY.

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