Today, four days before the 1st vote, several Bethany members received an email from an account without any personal identification other than “PRii Wesley”. It reflects strong “pro GMC” views.
It mentions Rio Texas Conference’s Bishop who recently shared a video about our local church’s discernment. I thus need to make the assumption that this email was in response to either a) pro UMC comments on the Bishop’s video or b) pro UMC facebook posts of our local church
The detailed pro/con below is interesting but misses the more important points of our community.
- The “pro GMC” views are clearly of someone who is very, very conservative and I suspect is aligned with the Global Methodist. Here is the key point: The diverse Bethany UMC has already rejected the GMC options as too rigid and too extreme.
- It is important to emphasize that the “pro GMC” views will continue to exist in Bethany - no matter how we vote. And here is the key point I want all to understand about being a fully inclusive church – the pro GMC views are affirmed and celebrated within our local church. And while the majority wishes our leaders to operate within the middle, it is important that pro GMC persons feel welcomed and affirmed.
I thank the sender for this email and sharing their views. Please, please note that while we disagree - I hear you and affirm your views as given by your God given conscience.
Isn’t being in an inclusive society WONDERFUL! Kinda like the diverse apostles walking with Jesus!
Grace and be Blessed!
PRO/CON VIEWS
pro GMC | Pro UMC |
The media has promoted the untrue idea that churches, pastors and individuals are leaving the UMC only because of differences in beliefs about gay marriage and ordination of gay clergy. | The sexuality issues from 1972 wording is the “primary” reason for many churches leaving. To say this is untrue is not genuine. |
Bishops, Council Officers, District Superintendents, and many clergy no longer follow the Book of Discipline, the rules book for the UMC. | The leaders of UMC do follow the Book of Discipline. Above all, the leaders have been prayerfully seeking a way to stay together. Grace is and has always been a key element of respecting the different views across the UMC. Saying leaders are not following the disciplines is simply opportunistic, hurtful and divisive. |
As of November 2022, there are no longer any traditional UMC Bishops. Newly-elected or appointed Bishops include one female Bishop married to a trans-female and a gay male Bishop married to his husband. | Making such generalizations is counter to our commitment to uphold and life each other up. The American UMC is still a traditional society and its leadership will uphold the Wesleyan principles. |
Bishop Schnase appointed several practicing non-celibate lesbian clergy in our RioTx Conference. | First, details are needed. More importly, such concerns need to be taken to the Bishop directly - not in a social media forum. |
Bishops are required to hold each other accountable, however, because they have a lifetime appointment, they are selective about enforcing the Book of Discipline. | Honestly, this sounds more like the Catholic church of infallibility than a grace filled society. Suggest reading when God speaks to Job - where were you when I formed the heavens and the earth? |
Bishops have not been responsible in protecting Wesleyan theology, promoting Methodist traditions, and making sure that sacred Scripture is not altered for cultural reasons! | On this point pro GMC go too far and shred any decency about ALL methodist societies. The truth is the UMC doctrines have NOT changed. |
When the UMC says there may not be any changes at the 2024 General Conference, they might be telling the truth. Why change the rules when they already are NOT being followed? | Whether there are changes or not – ONLY GOD knows. The hyperbolely and fear generated by the pro GMC speaks volumes to the fear in their souls. Fear not, for God is at work and trust in the Spirit. |
The progressive US UMC wants to create another layer of regionalization to separate themselves from the rest of the world which is more likely to vote traditional. They are outnumbered by traditional African churches! Disaffiliation rules only apply to American churches so churches in Africa, parts of Eastern Europe, Korea and the Philippines have had a difficult time dealing with different rules. Many have given up UMC financial help, and joined the GMC because of their strong Wesleyan traditional beliefs. | Accusations, accusations and more accusations. Isn’t the pro GMC guilty of “restructuring to WIN” by disaffiliation. As Nathanal said to David – it is YOU who are guilty of trickery.
I personally am not a fan of more layers. Still, I can understand the pro GMC and American UMC wanting to build a layer that reflects their own culture. Layers of hierarchy obscure the work of the Spirit.
Jesus specifically rejected hierarchy in his walks with the apostles… still the people wanted their “kings”. |
As of today, over 6000 of 31,000 UMC churches around the world have disaffiliated because they see strongly Wesleyan choices are available!
| And for most of the disaffiliation, there are UMC lighthouse congregations rising.
Like the South exit, in time we will re-unite- how our Lord must be crying. |
Do you have your own concerns about the progressive UMC? | Absolutely! And my listening prayers made clear how Amazing the United Methodist connectional network is a reflection of God’s work through the Spirit of the network.
I am so happy you shared this with me.
STAY UMC. |
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