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August 12, 1998
Spokespersons for Affirmation and CORNET have reacted to a ruling by the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church that declared a prohibition against the performance of covenant services for same-gender couples is enforceable as the law of the denomination. Jeanne Knepper of Portland, OR and Morris Floyd of Minneapolis, MN said, "The decision is a tragedy for The United Methodist Church. It means that United Methodist clergy will now put their vocation on the line when they respond to the unambiguous call of the Gospel to be in ministry with all God's people."
Knepper and Floyd said that the Judicial Council is not "the problem" in this unfortunate ruling. "They have simply clarified what they understand to be the law of the denomination. While we think there was a strong case for the Judicial Council to rule the other way, our concern is for a church that prohibits its clergy from implementing in their pastoral work a prayerfully-considered minority view about this issue. Contrary to the bishops who urged the Judicial Council to rule in this way, we believe this is not a matter of allowing clergy 'to pick and choose' which laws of the church they will follow.
"This prohibition is unlike the other limits within which United Methodist clergy must operate because it proscribes a specific pastoral action. This proscribed action does not harm others; it affirms God's love, grace, and blessing on the relationships of loving committed couples who happen to be of the same gender. This statement moves the denomination toward a dogmatic, authoritarian and punitive orientation that is inconsistent with our Wesleyan heritage of unity in diversity of opinion.
John Wesley called on us to do no harm, to do good, and to attend upon all of the "ordinances of God" (means of grace). Refusing to celebrate same gender covenant services harms the couples and their loved ones in a deep spiritual way. Refusing the request wrongly withholds a means of grace that opens pathways for God's Holy Spirit to transform not only them but all of us into a Christian community more like the one Jesus envisioned in the Great Commandment.
"Nor should GLBT Christians see the clarification about the legal status of this prohibition as a new action by the United Methodist Church," Knepper and Floyd said. "Unfortunate as the ruling may be, it simply restates what was already in place. This law is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the Constitution of The United Methodist Church. Ultimately, therefore it will be set aside, along with the underlying perspective that 'the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.' In the meantime we offer prayers for clergy who must confront this conflict of conscience and for a denomination that we fear will squander its energy and resources prosecuting offenders."
As an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people, Affirmation radically reclaims the compassionate and transforming gospel of Jesus Christ by relentlessly pursuing full inclusion in the Church as we journey with the Spirit in creating God's beloved community. We affirm a Gospel of respect, love, justice and mercy for all. Affirmation is an activist, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church.
Copyright © 1998-2007 Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns.