Question for my fellow Methodists

[Kokopelli]

I am bit confused with the different Methodist churches. First off, I am not trying to start a flame war. I am simply searching for information.

What part of the Methodist church (or branch) is accepting of homosexual pastors? Is it the church in whole or just particular sects? e.g. UMC, Free Methodists, etc.

[wvmtnkid]

I don't believe the UMC as a whole accepts homosexual pastors. As I understand it, at this year's General Conference, the decision was made to make the language firmer in the Discipline concerning this issue.

Probably what you are referring to is the decision to allow a proclaimed lesbian to retain her position as clergy in her church in the Pac West(?) conference that made the headlines a few months back. If I understood correctly, again, this decision is under examination as well.

[Kokopelli]

TY for your response. I was looking for the Church's position regarding members and for the clergy. (Needed clarification for a debate I had with some one earlier today) I do remember the incident earlier this year with the lesbian clergy, but I never got around to reading the article. One of those things that I saw and put on the "to do list" and it slipped my mind. LOL

[overnight]

I was not going to say anything here at first but after secound thought I thought maybe I better. For the most part the "weslian" Church (including all it's substructures UMC, Naz, the list goes on and on) has the dogma that homosexuality is against God's will. WHat you have to look at are the different factions (yes I said factions) within any orginization. You have just like politics your conservatives and your liberals. (There is no middle ground and anyone who says they are neither are only fooling themselves they just might not know where they lay).

However to make things more confusing acificaly you can be on one of those sides on social issues and competly different side on religious issues. Example: I myself am fairly liberal when it comes to the social issues and conservative on religious issues. I feel they diserve just as equal rights as any person. However on the religious end I feel homosexuality is a sin. Another example of my conservative religious nature I believe that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, was curcified, was both fully human and fully God even to the point of death, died was buried rose again and asended into heaven. You would think these are pretty basic but no there are people out there who do not beilive in the resurection or the virgin birth or any of the fore mentioned items. Here comes the liberal in me though when I say abortions should a.) not be a form of birth control but b.) should be eaisier for women to get. (Please don't slam that just trying to show what I mean here.

[Kokopelli]

@overnight

Good explanation. I thought about it more lastnight and realised my views are similar to yours. Politically, I too feel homosexuals should have the same rights as you or I. Sliding into religion, I belive it is a sin. But it not my job to persucute them for their beliefs. That is between them and the Lord.

Abortion, I am against. I believe that using it as a form of birth control is a weak excuse. I believe life begins at conception and as such, should be treated sacredly. I know some believe that abortion should only be allowed in the instance of rape, incest, or medical risks to the child or mother. This is hard, as I once heard some one ask, "why should the child pay with it's life for the actions of their father?"

Anyways, I thank you for input on this. It provides a better understanding of the issue and reminds me of why I am a Methodist. :)

[Celticflower]

Overnight-

I totally understand where you are coming from. I too find myself pulled one way on the social side and the other on the religious side.
While I think homosexuals do deserve rights and protection under the law, I do not believe in same sex marriage or gay clergy. My gay friends know that I view their lifestyle as wrong from a religious standpoint, but they also know I love them as people and would never try to preach at or "change" them.
I would never chose abortion for myself and I do not approve of using it as a form of birth control, I do support its use as a medical treatment in certain cases.

In some ways, you can find many situations where you look beyond the circumstance to the person. While we can't stand my brother in-law's drinking, we still love him. My husband's stepson (from a previous marriage) is a first class jerk in his actions, but my husband still loves and supports him (I tolerate him, and yes, I'm working on being better).
I think the best thing we can do is not lump people into clearly defined groups, but deal with each individually. Not all gays, people who get or provide abortions, drink or act like idiots are "bad" people, and we shouldn't treat them as such. Some of them may be just as conflicted as we are.

Celtie

[wvmtnkid]

I suppose that is why our motto is "Our Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors". We aren't restricting on who can sit on that pew beside of us. As Jesus said, he didn't come for the well, but for all of us that need him. But, there are specific and Biblical guidelines on those that can pastor and lead us.

It's hard to live in a world were in the phrase "Hate the sin but love the sinner" all that many people see is the word "hate". They don't look beyond that one word to what Christians are about. Yes, some fanatical Christians give the rest of us a bad name, but it is possible to love a person even though you don't agree with some of their choices or how they live their lives.