This week has been momentous in the life of United Methodism as a result of the actions of the United Methodist General Conference. Many are focused on the removal of language concerning sexuality and ordination. While compelling given the worldwide nature of the church, it is not what I see as the most significant.
The general conference has recognized the angst of congregations over this issue for the past few years. The diverse and strongly held views around sexuality have been a source of pain, conflict, and division for many United Methodist congregations. People within the local church, already living in a politically bi-polar world, have had the protective fellowship and the common mission for Christ of the congregation disrupted of its peace and denied its focus. Churches have been distracted from their purpose within the walls of the church and in their necessary work beyond.
This week, the nearly 800 delegates attending the general conference (by a vote of approval of over 90%) offer each and every United Methodist local church a viable way forward to carry out its unique congregational mission while observing the mandates of its own conscience. Disciplinary paragraphs approved this week allow local churches to choose their own unique path and policy regarding the weddings they host (or don’t)—without penalty from the denomination. Clergy are given the option to conduct weddings–or not– according to the dictates of their own beliefs without penalty from the denomination. As always has been the case, no church will be forced to take a pastor unless the congregation is open to such an appointment.
Over the course of my tenure as your pastor, I have realized that the members of Trinity are not uniform in their thinking around the issue of sexuality; there are those of you on the extremes as well as those in the middle. Time and again over the last seven years, I have heard the vast majority of you, regardless of where you stand on this issue, say that you do not want to lose the precious and fragile fellowship that God has given you at Trinity. I believe the actions of the general conference this week allow us to refocus on our common mission (which has not changed), and to continue to be the diverse Body of Christ known as Trinity UMC; we will not imprisoned by the need for conformity of thought, uniformity in outlook, nor the Disciplinary mandate that we have to be in lockstep with congregations different than our own. We can be different in all things and united in our love and worship of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We can continue to be United Methodists who live out the saying of John Wesley, quoting Saint Augustine: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
As the dust settles, Trinity’s church leadership will lead us in the next faithful steps that will allow us to move forward as a church.
May God bless Trinity UMC,
Joseph