Continuing to Pray for the Way Forward
Dear Friends and Family of North United Methodist Church,
Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Special Called General Conference to decide on the United Methodist Church's stance on human sexuality has concluded, now is the time to respond and move forward. While I addressed this in Sunday's sermon two weeks ago, I also wanted to send out this letter after taking the last couple days to pray, process and yes also grieve as well over the deep division, disunity, and hurt being felt across all the United Methodist Church right now.
In chapter 12 of Paul's letter to the church of Corinth, he reminds the church that the body of Christ should have equal concern for one another, If one part suffers, every part suffers (1 Corinthians 12:25-26 paraphrased). I encourage you all to keep these verses in mind going forth. I, as your pastor, vow to be a pastor to all people, and as your pastor when I am in the pulpit or visiting you, I will be your pastor to all. Yes, I have my own thoughts and theological perspective, ask me one-on-one I will be happy to share with you. But I vow to uphold my calling to be a pastor to all. We are the church together, and that means we must figure out how to continue our role of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Many of you may be asking what happened at the Special Called General Conference? Thanks to Melissa Englehart pastor at Hanover UMC who was at the conference:"In brief 53% of the delegates voted to affirm the exact same stance the denomination has held for years. Our official beliefs about homosexuality did not change. Some loopholes were closed, and minimal accountability may have been added, but the stance did not change. The Traditional Plan passed the General Conference, but much of it has already been ruled unconstitutional by the Judicial Council. Because of some creative filibustering, all the amendments were not made that were needed to make this plan wholly constitutional—The UMC has our own Constitution that can be found in the Book of Discipline. As such, those pieces that are constitutional will become church law, and those that are ruled unconstitutional will be thrown out. The Judicial Council will meet to rule on this after Easter.
Even though the official stance of the UMC did not change, this decision was significant for the future of our denomination. For many Progressives, this decision was a tipping point where they recognize that the denomination is by a small majority Conservative/Traditionalist, not Centrist or Progressive. Some are vowing to leave and create a new Methodist denomination. Some are promising to ignore the latest ruling of the General Conference, to stay, and to fight. Others are merely leaving for other existing churches. Many are not sure what will come next, but they are expressing strong feelings that they can no longer stick with the status quo."
No matter where you stand, the percentage by which the Traditional Plan was adopted is not encouraging. We are a church that is deeply divided at nearly 50% on both sides. General Conference 2019 highlighted and confirmed the deep divisions in the Church that many already knew existed. Although it is probably little comfort for those Progressive/Liberals, please remember that your Conservative/Traditionalist brothers and sisters did not, for the most part, make this choice out of hate, but rather out of a theological understanding of sin.
No matter which side of the fence you are on, remember that there were no winners this past week. I say this to remind us all this is not a time to gloat or celebrate. If you are a Traditionalist/Conservative, please remember many within the denomination are hurting including some within our own church family. I ask you to hold them in prayer and be grace-filled as this is a sensitive time for your Progressive/Liberal brothers and sisters. If you need help to process or you are not sure how to move forward, remember my door is always open to you. If you are on the other side of the fence as a Progressive/Liberal, I encourage you to take the time to process in whatever way you need to. Remember my door is open to you to help you make decisions on how to go forth. While I hope we all can find a way to stay together as a church family, I understand if you feel you cannot stay. If that is you, I ask you to come to talk with me before leaving. If you are LGBTQIA or love someone who is, please remember that you are loved by God. As you all decide how you will react and what you believe moving forward, please do not forget that you are loved by God. As always, my door is open.
What’s Next???
At any church I serve, we will continue to be in ministry with all people. We will continue to worship, pray, baptize, offer communion and membership to all persons including those identifying as LGBTQIA. We go forth in grace continuing to have critical conversations where we vow to hear both sides. We will treat all people with the understanding that they were made in the image of God. When we sin, we turn from God, and we are called to repentance, but we all have sacred worth. As a United Methodist Church, we will uphold the Book of Discipline. As a part of the covenant we made in being a UMC, that is our responsibility. We will pray. We will pray that the Holy Spirit works in and through our denomination. We will pray that those who are hurt be offered God’s great healing. We will pray. We will make disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World. No decision or protest of that decision can change our task as the church in the world. Lastly, we go forth being the church remembering we are called to love all people with the love of Christ.
Enjoying the Journey (Even when it’s hard),
Pastor Kayla.
Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Special Called General Conference to decide on the United Methodist Church's stance on human sexuality has concluded, now is the time to respond and move forward. While I addressed this in Sunday's sermon two weeks ago, I also wanted to send out this letter after taking the last couple days to pray, process and yes also grieve as well over the deep division, disunity, and hurt being felt across all the United Methodist Church right now.
In chapter 12 of Paul's letter to the church of Corinth, he reminds the church that the body of Christ should have equal concern for one another, If one part suffers, every part suffers (1 Corinthians 12:25-26 paraphrased). I encourage you all to keep these verses in mind going forth. I, as your pastor, vow to be a pastor to all people, and as your pastor when I am in the pulpit or visiting you, I will be your pastor to all. Yes, I have my own thoughts and theological perspective, ask me one-on-one I will be happy to share with you. But I vow to uphold my calling to be a pastor to all. We are the church together, and that means we must figure out how to continue our role of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Many of you may be asking what happened at the Special Called General Conference? Thanks to Melissa Englehart pastor at Hanover UMC who was at the conference:"In brief 53% of the delegates voted to affirm the exact same stance the denomination has held for years. Our official beliefs about homosexuality did not change. Some loopholes were closed, and minimal accountability may have been added, but the stance did not change. The Traditional Plan passed the General Conference, but much of it has already been ruled unconstitutional by the Judicial Council. Because of some creative filibustering, all the amendments were not made that were needed to make this plan wholly constitutional—The UMC has our own Constitution that can be found in the Book of Discipline. As such, those pieces that are constitutional will become church law, and those that are ruled unconstitutional will be thrown out. The Judicial Council will meet to rule on this after Easter.
Even though the official stance of the UMC did not change, this decision was significant for the future of our denomination. For many Progressives, this decision was a tipping point where they recognize that the denomination is by a small majority Conservative/Traditionalist, not Centrist or Progressive. Some are vowing to leave and create a new Methodist denomination. Some are promising to ignore the latest ruling of the General Conference, to stay, and to fight. Others are merely leaving for other existing churches. Many are not sure what will come next, but they are expressing strong feelings that they can no longer stick with the status quo."
No matter where you stand, the percentage by which the Traditional Plan was adopted is not encouraging. We are a church that is deeply divided at nearly 50% on both sides. General Conference 2019 highlighted and confirmed the deep divisions in the Church that many already knew existed. Although it is probably little comfort for those Progressive/Liberals, please remember that your Conservative/Traditionalist brothers and sisters did not, for the most part, make this choice out of hate, but rather out of a theological understanding of sin.
No matter which side of the fence you are on, remember that there were no winners this past week. I say this to remind us all this is not a time to gloat or celebrate. If you are a Traditionalist/Conservative, please remember many within the denomination are hurting including some within our own church family. I ask you to hold them in prayer and be grace-filled as this is a sensitive time for your Progressive/Liberal brothers and sisters. If you need help to process or you are not sure how to move forward, remember my door is always open to you. If you are on the other side of the fence as a Progressive/Liberal, I encourage you to take the time to process in whatever way you need to. Remember my door is open to you to help you make decisions on how to go forth. While I hope we all can find a way to stay together as a church family, I understand if you feel you cannot stay. If that is you, I ask you to come to talk with me before leaving. If you are LGBTQIA or love someone who is, please remember that you are loved by God. As you all decide how you will react and what you believe moving forward, please do not forget that you are loved by God. As always, my door is open.
What’s Next???
At any church I serve, we will continue to be in ministry with all people. We will continue to worship, pray, baptize, offer communion and membership to all persons including those identifying as LGBTQIA. We go forth in grace continuing to have critical conversations where we vow to hear both sides. We will treat all people with the understanding that they were made in the image of God. When we sin, we turn from God, and we are called to repentance, but we all have sacred worth. As a United Methodist Church, we will uphold the Book of Discipline. As a part of the covenant we made in being a UMC, that is our responsibility. We will pray. We will pray that the Holy Spirit works in and through our denomination. We will pray that those who are hurt be offered God’s great healing. We will pray. We will make disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World. No decision or protest of that decision can change our task as the church in the world. Lastly, we go forth being the church remembering we are called to love all people with the love of Christ.
Enjoying the Journey (Even when it’s hard),
Pastor Kayla.
