{"id":9556,"date":"2015-02-11T18:46:21","date_gmt":"2015-02-12T02:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/?p=9556"},"modified":"2015-02-11T18:46:49","modified_gmt":"2015-02-12T02:46:49","slug":"church-body-proposes-more-open-stance-on-homosexuality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/church-body-proposes-more-open-stance-on-homosexuality\/","title":{"rendered":"Church body proposes more open stance on homosexuality"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Heather Hahn |\u00a0<\/strong>Feb. 11, 2015 | MAPUTO, Mozambique (UMNS)<\/h4>\n

The United Methodist Church could have openly gay clergy and clergy could officiate at same-sex marriages if a proposal affirmed by a denomination-wide leadership body prevails.<\/p>\n

The Connectional Table plans to draft legislation that members hope can be \u201ca third way\u201d in church\u2019s long debate over homosexuality.<\/p>\n

The body on Feb. 10 overwhelmingly affirmed a proposal to remove prohibitive language that makes it a chargeable offense under church law for clergy to be \u201cself-avowed practicing homosexuals\u201d or to officiate at same-sex weddings.<\/p>\n

The action was not a formal vote, but the reported results of two hours of small-group discussions. The Connectional Table will take up proposed legislative language for an actual vote when it meets in May in Nashville, Tennessee.<\/p>\n

The approach would leave the question of whether to perform a same-sex marriage up to individual clergy, just as the Book of Discipline \u2014 the denomination\u2019s law book \u2014 now allows clergy to decide which couples to wed. Clergy would not be required to bless same-sex unions.<\/p>\n

Conferences also would continue to determine who to ordain as authorized by the denomination\u2019s constitution, but would have the option of ordaining openly gay individuals.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the proposal notes that the denomination \u201chistorically has not condoned the practice of homosexuality and has considered the practice incompatible with Christian teaching.\u201d It also retains the denomination\u2019s ban on using church funds \u201cto promote the acceptance of homosexuality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bottom line: If this proposal prevails, clergy would not risk church trials or the loss of their credentials for officiating at same-gender weddings or coming out as being gay.<\/p>\n

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[quote_box_right]WHAT DOES THE CHURCH SAY<\/p>\n

The United Methodist Book of Discipline<\/strong><\/a>, the denomination\u2019s law book, since 1972 has proclaimed the practice of homosexuality \u201cincompatible with Christian teaching.\u201d The book prohibits United Methodist churches from hosting and clergy from performing \u201cceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2012 General Conference rejected efforts to change that language, including a\u00a0proposal to say the church was in disagreement about homosexuality.<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 The denomination\u2019s top lawmaking assembly will next convene in 2016.<\/p>\n

Officiating at same-sex unions is a chargeable offense under the\u00a0Discipline. Clergy convicted in a church court can face a loss of clergy credentials or lesser penalties. The book also allows for complaints against clergy who officiate at same-gender unions to be resolved without a trial. That has been the case with some\u00a0recent high-profile complaints, including one against retired Bishop Melvin G. Talbert<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Book of Discipline states that\u00a0marriage is between a man and a woman. It also affirms that all people are of sacred worth, that all are in need of the church\u2019s ministry, and that God\u2019s grace is available to all. The church implores congregations and families not to reject gay and lesbian members and friends.<\/p>\n

Read full coverage of\u00a0sexuality and the church<\/a>.\u00a0[\/quote_box_right]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A \u2018third way\u2019<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Rev. Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai, who serves on the Connectional Table\u2019s legislative writing team, described the approach as a possible \u201cthird way\u201d that can help the church end its impasse on human sexuality and focus more on mission. She is a district superintendent in the West Michigan Conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve tried to allow some exercise of conscience, to allow for varying beliefs, to allow for varying practices within different contexts,\u201d she said, \u201cand to open a space for grace where people can live together in unity with their different beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Any legislation adopted by the Connectional Table would go to the 2016 General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly. Ultimately, General Conference would decide.<\/p>\n

The Connectional Table\u2019s process<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The\u00a0Connectional Table<\/a>\u00a0is a United Methodist body of clergy and lay people from around the world that acts as a sort of church council for the denomination, coordinating its mission, ministry and resources.<\/p>\n

The body\u2019s discussion followed\u00a0a motion it affirmed in April 2014<\/a>\u00a0after the first of three public panels on human sexuality. After hours of discussion, the body approved \u201cparallel paths\u201d of dialogue and work toward changing the Discipline \u201cto fully include LGBTQ persons in the life of the church.\u201d The initials stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning.<\/p>\n

At this month\u2019s meeting, the legislative team presented three directions for the full body to consider in response to that motion.<\/p>\n