McHenry County Blog

In a complete contradiction of church policy, Sally Dyck, the new Bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church has called on the Illinois Legislature to pass a bill authorizing same sex marriage.

I would note there was a time when a Methodist Bishop issued a statement that unified local church members. That was in about 1990 when Bishop R. Sheldon Duecker led the fight against casino gambling in Illinois.

Dyck has decided to take a divisive, rather than unifying path in her stewardship of local Methodists.

Her statement follows:

Bishop’s statement on Illinois Marriage Equality Bill

01/10/2013

To the Clergy and Members of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference.

Today the new General Assembly of the State of Illinois is expected to discuss and soon vote on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. It is expected that it will pass into law. I want to express my views on it and my support of it as law.

I believe in the institution of marriage as the source of emotional and legal stability and security for families and communities.

In May I will have been married for 37 years. I have many friends who are not presently married and have never married, but I believe most of them have wanted to find a lifelong relationship to which they are committed for spiritual, physical and emotional comfort and support.

And I have friends, acquaintances and former parishioners who have been in lifelong relationships with someone but have not been able to have their relationships recognized by the state or the church because they are in a same-sex relationship. In spite of all the same pressures and stresses that heterosexual couples face, they have managed to stay faithful and true to each other, providing stability and strength not only for their families but for their communities and churches.

Marriage also provides stability and security for me in a way that I usually take for granted especially as both my husband and I grow older. We just assume that we can be with each other in the emergency room or that if, God forbid, something happens to the other that we will be provided for through our combined resources. After all, we’ve built those resources together over the last almost 37 years.

But same-sex couples can’t assume the same benefits, not even the benefit of being with each other should there be an emergency or in critical last moments to hold the other’s hand…no one should have to be getting permission to be by a loved one’s side at a time like that but that is the reality for same-sex couples.

I believe in marriage because it also is the institution that best provides for the well-being of children. I believe that children need to have parents who have the emotional and legal benefits of marriage as well as parents who are active in their lives.

In addition to the benefits of marriage that I have described above, I also believe that the State of Illinois needs to be on the forefront (if #10 of 50 is the forefront) of providing for marriage equality in order to promote economic growth. People look for places to work and start businesses that will attract as many good workers, entrepreneurs and business people as possible and a marriage equality state can provide that added edge to the competitive economic market.

While the United Methodist Church holds that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, it also holds the teaching and a long tradition (albeit a struggle every inch of the way) of civil rights. Marriage equality is a civil rights issue; it provides for all what is afforded to some.

The marriage equality act in Illinois does not bind anyone who is licensed by the state to perform marriages to perform a marriage for a same-sex couple (as no one can bind us to perform a marriage for a heterosexual couple). In fact, even though I support this legislation, I can’t perform a same-sex marriage as a United Methodist clergy person and as the bishop I can’t give permission to any other clergy to do the same. But just because I can’t provide the service of marriage to same-sex couples doesn’t mean that I should prevent people from being able to commit their lives to each other in the State of Illinois.

Therefore, I believe it is to the benefit of our families, communities and the state of Illinois for the Marriage Equality Bill to become law in our state. Not all United Methodists will agree with my belief on marriage and they are entitled to their own belief. Because I believe in marriage, it’s my belief it will be a benefit for this law to pass.

Bishop Sally Dyck

A reply from a group in the evangelical wing of the Methodist Church called Good News:

Bishop Sally Dyck has issued a public statement of support for a same-sex marriage measure in Illinois. In a statement to members of the Northern Illinois Conference, she writes: “While the United Methodist Church holds that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, it also holds the teaching and a long tradition (albeit a struggle every inch of the way) of civil rights. Marriage equality is a civil rights issue; it provides for all what is afforded to some. … Because I believe in marriage, it’s my belief it will be a benefit for this law to pass.”

The Rev. Rob Renfroe, president and publisher of Good News, issued the following statement in response to Bishop Dyck’s public campaigning for same-sex marriage.

“Good News is disappointed that Bishop Sally Dyck has chosen to advocate for the legislative approval of same-sex marriage in the state of Illinois.

“Since 2004, our church has said that we ‘support laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.’

“Indeed, our definition of marriage as a covenant ‘between a man and a woman’ dates back to 1972.

“This position received a 77 percent vote at General Conference in 2004 and still represents the one issue among all the sexuality-related issues that garners the broadest support across the church.

“We respect Bishop Dyck and have worked well with her in the past in relating to the Unity Task Force of the Council of Bishops which she led.

“However, we believe that for Bishop Dyck to advocate a minority position that is at odds with the stated position of the church fosters disunity and deepens the sense of disconnect felt by many United Methodist members.

“In 2011, more than 14,000 United Methodists signed a letter to the Council of Bishops asking them to support the denomination’s position on same sex marriage. The Council issued a statement of support.

“Bishop Dyck’s advocacy flies in the face of the Council’s statement.

“We share Bishop Dyck’s commitment to ensure the protection of the civil rights of all persons.

“However, there are other ways to ensure the civil rights of gay and lesbian persons without redefining the bedrock institution of marriage.

“We see no reason why the church should allow a secular, anthropocentric, hyper-sexualized Western culture to tell us what marriage is, rather than looking to the Scriptures and, with real concern for the rights of all, maintaining what God has revealed.”

Good News has been an independent, evangelical voice within The United Methodist Church since 1967. As a renewal and reform movement, Good News has been a beacon of hope to traditional United Methodists by urging the church to be faithful to the biblically-based principles of its historic Wesleyan heritage.

In our desire to see The United Methodist Church centered on Jesus Christ, we want to see our church engaged in vital ministry, growing disciples of Jesus Christ, and transforming the world.

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The poster of this article has been a member of the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake since 1958.

Shortly after noon, the following email arrived from the United Methodist Church group Good News:

After a very emotional morning of debate on the General Conference floor regarding homosexuality, hundreds of onlooking demonstrators crossed the bar of the conference right before the morning break in order to occupy the middle of the convention center.

The demonstrators – delegates and non-delegates – began singing and serving communion to one another.

When the morning plenary session was called back to order, the demonstrators refused to leave the General Conference floor. Presiding Bishop Michael Coyner politely asked the group several times to disperse. They ignored his pleas and continued singing while reports were given from the stage.

Finally, Bishop Coyner closed the session because the demonstrators refused to leave the space marked off for delegates.

The session will resume at 2 p.m.

We are asking for you to pray that God would grant our leaders wisdom in dealing with this issue and that a spirit of peace would reside over the Tampa Convention Center and that the Holy Spirit would lead the General Conference.

If you would like to receive an introductory issue of Good News free of charge, please request it at info@goodnewsmag.org.  

 Thank You  

If you would like to be a part of Good News’ prayer ministry and receive monthly prayer updates, please email Ginny@goodnewsmag.org

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Good News has an article by Karen Booth about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force targeted the Methodist and other mainline churches with democratic ruling structures because they were “the backbone of American religion.”

These “denominations’ general assemblies and conferences were identified as the best settings to introduce and foster proposals for the revision of Christian sexual ethics.”

There’s much more but these two paragraphs might proved instructive:

“The Common Witness Coalition’s Love Thy Neighbor emphasis is the latest stage of the United Methodist version of BOL. According to the Reconciling Ministries Network’s online program manual, BOL trained volunteers hoped to meet with all 600+ United States delegates to General Conference to tell their stories and advocate for full inclusion of LGBT persons.

“Many of these same volunteers are onsite here in Tampa engaging in protest and distributing a multi-page daily paper that is published by former GLAAD staffer, Ann Craig. (GLAAD’s web site has also announced that staffers are onsite to coordinate the Common Witness Coalition’s media campaign.)”

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Other articles that may be of interest:

• 4/24/12 Methodist Convention This Week in Tampa – Unity Not on the Agenda
• 4/27/12 The Disconnect Between American Liberals and Africans in Tampa’s Methodist Convention
• 4/28/12 Conservative Methodists Making Headway in World Conference, Big Fight on Homosexuality in Offing
• 4/29/12 Update from United Methodist Church General Conference in Tampa – Conservatives Winning Most Votes, Setbacks for Abortion & Israeli Divestment Supporters
• 4/30/12 Good News Reports Most Endorsed Candidates for Methodist “Supreme Court,” University Senate Win
• 4/30/12 Conservatives Take Three of Four Vacancies on Methodist Judicial Council, Vote on Homosexuality Imminent
• 5/2/12 Methodists Vote Almost 3-1 Against Ending Investments (Divestment) in Motorola and CAT, Proportional Representation for Africans on Ruling Bodies, Preacher Tenure Ended
• 5/3/12 53% Reject Homosexual Liberalization at Tampa World Methodist Conference
• 5/3/12 Homosexuals Take over Methodist Tampa Convention Floor after Losing Vote
• 5/4/12 Coverage of Conservative Methodists’ Victory over Homosexual Activists Missing

The big news out of the Tampa’s Methodist convention

• for friends of Israel and
• for those who know the impact of Motorola and Caterpillar on the Illinois economy

is the overwhelming defeat of liberal efforts to force Methodist investments out of those and other companies doing business with Israel.

The Institute of Religion and Democracy leads with that outcome of the meeting in its May 2nd report:

Good News! Despite massive lobbying by dozens of yellow shirted anti-Israel activists, the United Methodist General Conference decisively rejected anti-Israel divestment today by 685 to 246.

Sometimes the debate language was ugly.

One Western [West Coast U.S.] Jurisdiction delegate likened United Methodist policy to supporting firms helping Nazi Germany conduct the Holocaust.

So much for temperate argument.

But good sense prevailed in the final vote.

Here’s Jeff Walton’s report on yesterday’s rally for anti-Israel divestment featuring a United Methodist missionary claim he was more “conservative” than Billy Graham even as he speechified in the gay advocacy rally tent.

Debates over marriage, sexual ethics and homosexuality are expected tomorrow. Here’s Bart Gingerich’s report on a speech touting “queer people” here by radical theologian James Cone of Union Seminary.

And here’s a report from Jeff Walton about a “Church Within a Church” event for gay clergy who have unofficial ordinations.

Bart Gingerich blogged about hyper political correctness at General Conference.

But overall, the news here is mostly good.

United Methodism is slowly moving away from dying North American liberal Protestantism and towards growing, biblical Global South Christianity.

In the church restructuring approved today, overseas churches’ representation on church agency boards will increase from 10 percent to over 30 percent, more in line with their membership.

Long overdue!

Please keep praying, especially tomorrow.

With appreciation,

Mark Tooley
IRD President
Director, UMAction

P.S.: Please stand with us with a special online donation today, easily made here. We rely on you!

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Below is what the group Good News is reporting:

The 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church has been slowly dealing with legislative issues under the watchful eye of silent protesters.

As time is quickly slipping away, delegates are feeling the pressure to make the next several days really count since so many of the big-ticket issues have not been dealt with.

We have been hosting our Briefing Breakfasts every morning this week for the delegates, monitoring the legislation on the floor of the General Conference, and distributing our daily newsletter [newsletters are here] outside the convention center.

If you are watching the General Conference via live streaming and want to see a legislation tracking guide of issues of interest to the Renewal and Reform Coalition, click HERE.

The big agenda today is supposed to be the new Restructure Proposal called PlanUMC. You can read it HERE

Some of the actions that warrant your attention:

• Delegates voted to end the guaranteed appointment of United Methodist elders. To learn more, click HERE.
• Delegates decided not to approve a petition that would have created a new full-time role for the president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops. To learn more, click HERE.
• Delegates revised the Social Principles statement on abortion to say, “We mourn and are committed to the diminishment of high abortion rates.”
• Churches are encouraged to provide “age-appropriate sexuality education, advocacy in regard to contraception, and support of initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all women and girls around the globe.”
• Churches are also encouraged to support “crisis pregnancy centers and pregnancy resource centers that compassionately help women explore all options related to unplanned pregnancy.”
• Delegates opposed, 407 to 383, a longer preamble proposed for the Social Principles by a legislative committee. They agreed with a minority report that affirms “our unity in Jesus Christ while acknowledging differences in applying our faith in different cultural contexts as we live out the gospel.”
• Voting 532 to 414, delegates in a May 1 plenary session added a clause, “We stand united in declaring our faith that God’s grace is available to all — that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
• Delegates created an additional episcopal area in the Congo Central Conference, increasing the number of bishops in the area from three to four.
• Delegates celebrated an April 30 decision to enter into full communion with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Union Methodist Protestant Church and the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church. To learn more, click HERE.

We covet your prayers for our United Methodist Church.

If you would like to receive an introductory issue of Good News free of charge, please request it at info@goodnewsmag.org.

Thank You

Thank you for your prayers and the financial support that sustain this ministry. Your support and participation make it possible for Good News to be your advocate for Scriptural Christianity within the United Methodist Church and beyond.

If you would like to subscribe to Perspective, click HERE.

If you would like to support the work of Good News with an online gift, click HERE

If you would like to be a part of Good News’ prayer ministry and receive monthly prayer updates, please email Ginny@goodnewsmag.org

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The Confessing Movement reports some of the same information, but with a different viewpoint, as well as additional happenings on May 2nd:

Wednesday, May 2 – Day 8 of General Conference

Update (9:30 pm):

The gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual groups and their supporters have been here from the beginning of General Conference.

They have engaged in numerous actions such as walking around the area designated for delegates and conference officials only holding signs, handing out pro gay materials and lining up so delegates must walk through their silence demonstrations but they had not violated the General Conference rules.

At about 5:30 today as the delegates were going to break for dinner, the demonstrators entered the restricted area violating General Conference rules.

The conference agenda for tomorrow morning is scheduled to deal with sexuality issues including the practice of homosexuality.

JUST IN (12:35 pm) After 3 hours of debate, restructuring for The United Methodist Church has passed with a vote of 567 in favor (59.6%) to 384 against.

The pace of General Conference thus far has been very slow.

The agenda includes many items and activities that keep petitions from getting considered.

At previous General Conferences this has also occurred, forcing many important issues to the end when there is little time for discussion and debate. 
The proposal to require restructuring of the general church is scheduled to occur today. After hours of committee discussion and work outside of the committee a compromise has been reached with one proposal being presented rather than a major and minor report.

The debate on restructuring began about 9:30 this morning. A motion to refer this report for action in 2016 was defeated with 555 delegates voting against this proposal to kill restructuring this year.

Other important developments include:

1. The United Methodist Women (UMW) petition to become an autonomous organization passed by an overwhelming vote, 889 to 20. This means the UMW will no longer be a division within the General Board of Global Ministries but will be a stand-alone autonomous agency. There appear to be a number of reasons for the desire to be autonomous. The UMW has been subsidizing the World Division and the National Division for a number of years and this has become more difficult since giving is down for UMW. Furthermore, it was uncertain what restructuring would do with UMW. At the moment UMW selects one third of the board and this would change in restructuring. For its part, many in Board of Global Ministries think the UMW has had too much dominance (since it selects so much of the board) and that the board might be more effective if UMW were independent. As part of the change the Deaconess and Home Missions Program, which were part of the board, will be moved to the jurisdiction of UMW.
2. 

   In Illinois, the Chicago Tribune reports May 2, 2012, there are 314,461 Methodists as of 2010. During the decade, the church lost 50,721 members in Illinois. That's almost 14%. The Northern Illinois Conference is under the control of some of the most liberal Methodists in the world.

   The final budget has not yet been set for the General Church (it is usually the last agenda item) but the General Council of Finance and Administration (GCFA) is recommending a 6.04% reduction [emphasis added]. This is the first General Conference in recent times that has recommended a reduction. The question still to be answered: how will the monies in the budget be divided up? Boards and agencies have already needed to cut back on staff. In 1971 there was a total of 3,139 staff serving general agencies. By 2010 this number had been reduced to 1,384.

3. The General Conference referred to the Commission on the Status and Role of Women a petition that would amend Article IV of the Constitution on “Inclusiveness.” The petition, submitted by the Status and Role of Women would have added “gender” and “age” to the categories that are welcomed into United Methodist Churches. The additional words were unnecessary in the minds of many of the delegates. Referral basically kills the petition. Another petition on the paragraph wanted to add sexual orientation, gender choice, and gender identity to the category of persons needed to be included. This petition failed.
4. By a vote of 879 to 25 the General Conference voted to enter into full communion with five predominately black Methodist denominations: Africans Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, African Union Methodist Protestant, Christian Methodist Episcopal, and Union African Episcopal Church. Each of the denominations will recognize each other as part of the one true apostolic faith, recognize the authenticity of each other’s sacraments, recognize the ordination of each denomination, and enter into cooperative ministry where possible. A service of celebration and recognition was held in the afternoon of May 1. At one time there was some talk of merger but the other denominations would not favor that.
5. Five more resolutions have been passed to bulk up the Book of Resolutions, which is already 1048 pages long. A number of others are recommended for passage but have not yet made it to the floor. One of these is on “Just War” which, if passed, would move the United Methodist from a pacifist position (presently no support for any war). The Publishing House has indicated the Book of Resolutions is so big that it would cost $70,000 to translate it per language and that would not include printing costs. Only 21,000 copies of the book sold after the 2008 General Conference and this is supposed to be a an important book on United Methodist positions. Only 32% of UM pastors feel they understand it.

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Other articles that may be of interest:

• 4/24/12 Methodist Convention This Week in Tampa – Unity Not on the Agenda
• 4/27/12 The Disconnect Between American Liberals and Africans in Tampa’s Methodist Convention
• 4/28/12 Conservative Methodists Making Headway in World Conference, Big Fight on Homosexuality in Offing
• 4/29/12 Update from United Methodist Church General Conference in Tampa – Conservatives Winning Most Votes, Setbacks for Abortion & Israeli Divestment Supporters
• 4/30/12 Good News Reports Most Endorsed Candidates for Methodist “Supreme Court,” University Senate Win
• 4/30/12 Conservatives Take Three of Four Vacancies on Methodist Judicial Council, Vote on Homosexuality Imminent
• 5/2/12 Methodists Vote Almost 3-1 Against Ending Investments (Divestment) in Motorola and CAT, Proportional Representation for Africans on Ruling Bodies, Preacher Tenure Ended
• 5/3/12 53% Reject Homosexual Liberalization at Tampa World Methodist Conference
• 5/3/12 Homosexuals Take over Methodist Tampa Convention Floor after Losing Vote
• 5/4/12 Coverage of Conservative Methodists’ Victory over Homosexual Activists Missing in Newspapers

 

Four years ago conservatives got caught napping at the every-four-year General Conference of the United Methodist Church.

There was insufficient communication with the new influx of African delegates. (Delegates are selected on more or less of a one member, one vote basis and Africa’s representatives were new to the process.)

The liberals won the election.

This year when elections for what is called the Judicial Council took place in Tampa, it appears that conservatives won.

At least that is what I read from the email I just received from Good News, one of the five conservative groups that I have identified working to stop to slide of the Methodist Church in the direction that the American Episcopal Church has taken.

Unlike the Episcopal Church, Methodists are organized on a worldwide basis.

If Methodists were organized on a national basis, as Episcopalian are in the United States, Methodist policy on homosexuality, abortion and other social issues would mirror that of the Anglican Church.

Liberal Methodists outnumber conservatives in the United States, but liberal churches in the denomination are generally in decline while conservatives are growing. The balance of power is shifting because of the massive number of Christian conversions being made by the burgeoning African Methodist Church.

At least 30% of the members in the church that John Wesley founded in England are now Africans.

Below is the Good News email:

Monday Morning Elections

Election of Judicial Council nominees was just completed. The clergy candidates with the highest vote tally were the Rev. Dr. Kabamba Kiboko and Rev. Dennis Blackwell. The lay candidates with highest vote tally were Oswald Tweh and Beth Capen.

The Renewal and Reform Coalition is very happy to announce that Rev. Kiboko and Rev. Blackwell, as well as Oswald Tweh were candidates listed on our recommendation slate.

The election for University Senate nominees was also just completed. In the category of University CEO’s, Dr. Jan Love and Dr. Thimbang Owan Kasap received the highest number of votes. In the category of Other Relevant Positions, Dr. William Abraham and Bill Arnold received the highest number of votes.

The Renewal and Reform Coalition is pleased to announce that Dr. Thimbang Owan Kasap, Dr. William Abraham, and Dr. Bill Arnold were candidates listed on our recommendation slate.

The Renewal and Reform Coalition congratulates all of the candidates and will be praying that their terms are fruitful, faithful, and productive.

If you would like to receive an introductory issue of Good News free of charge, please request it at info@goodnewsmag.org.

Thank You
Thank you for your prayers and the financial support that sustain this ministry. Your support and participation make it possible for Good News to be your advocate for Scriptural Christianity within the United Methodist Church and beyond.

If you would like to subscribe to Perspective, click HERE.

If you would like to support the work of Good News with an online gift, click HERE

If you would like to be a part of Good News’ prayer ministry and receive monthly prayer updates, please email Ginny@goodnewsmag.org

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Other articles that may be of interest:

• 4/24/12 Methodist Convention This Week in Tampa – Unity Not on the Agenda
• 4/27/12 The Disconnect Between American Liberals and Africans in Tampa’s Methodist Convention
• 4/28/12 Conservative Methodists Making Headway in World Conference, Big Fight on Homosexuality in Offing
• 4/29/12 Update from United Methodist Church General Conference in Tampa – Conservatives Winning Most Votes, Setbacks for Abortion & Israeli Divestment Supporters
• 4/30/12 Good News Reports Most Endorsed Candidates for Methodist “Supreme Court,” University Senate Win
• 4/30/12 Conservatives Take Three of Four Vacancies on Methodist Judicial Council, Vote on Homosexuality Imminent
• 5/2/12 Methodists Vote Almost 3-1 Against Ending Investments (Divestment) in Motorola and CAT, Proportional Representation for Africans on Ruling Bodies, Preacher Tenure Ended
• 5/3/12 53% Reject Homosexual Liberalization at Tampa World Methodist Conference
• 5/3/12 Homosexuals Take over Methodist Tampa Convention Floor after Losing Vote
• 5/4/12 Coverage of Conservative Methodists’ Victory over Homosexual Activists Missing

Here is an update from Mark Tooley of the Institute of Religion and Democracy about what happened Saturday:

Update from General Conference

Your prayers are being heard!

The Church and Society legislative committee, finishing its work Saturday night, rejected attempts to liberalize United Methodism’s teaching on marriage and sexual behavior, especially homosexuality.

Quite historic, as typically this committee is stacked with a liberal majority and rejects the church’s position, only to be overturned in the full plenary!

Praise God!

The same committee also voted for the first time for United Methodism to withdraw from the infamous Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, which United Methodism sadly helped found in 1973 to promote unrestricted abortion rights. It will be historic if the full plenary confirms this vote later this week. So please keep praying.

Disturbingly, another legislative committee voted to allow church pension benefits for same-sex partners in states where same sex marriage is legal.

We will work to defeat it in plenary.

More prayers needed! Some local conferences already grant benefits to so-called domestic partners.

Support UMAction

IRD depends on support from people like you. Click here to learn how you can help support IRD’s mission.

Today, most of the African delegates attended a wonderful service at a nearby evangelical United Methodist congregation. A Liberian district superintendent aptly told that church:

“This is what the church in America needs, to evangelize and preach the Word of God before it’s too late.”

Indeed.

The Financial Administration legislative committee rejected anti-Israel divestment by 52-20.

They narrowly instead passed a resolution urging “positive” investment that would help Palestinians rather than hurt Israel. Anti-Israel activists are rife here at General Conference, and their sails were inflated by last week’s biased “Sixty Minutes” story, about which I wrote for The Weekly Standard here.

Tomorrow are Judicial Council elections. Please pray that persons who will faithfully uphold our Discipline are elected.

With appreciation,

Mark Tooley
IRD President
Director, UMAction

P.S.: Please help sustain IRD/UMAction’s presence here with a donation today, easily made online here.

P.P.S.: If you received this weekly IRD e-mail as a forward from a friend, and would like to subscribe to this newsletter, please register on the IRD website.  Once logged-in, click on “My E-Mail Subscriptions,” and select “UMAction.”

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Here is the report from the Confessing Movement:

Sunday, April 29 – Day 6 of General Conference

Sunday is the Lord’s Day at General Conference so no business will be conducted. Legislative groups finished their work late last night (Saturday). Here are a few of the items to report:

1. A resolution that would have the church withdraw from the Relgious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) has passed the legislative group and will be send to the floor of the conference where it will receive opposition.
2. A related petition which prohibits agencies from joining external coalitions or organizations without approval of the full agency or the General Conference passed 53-22. This was directed to RCRC.
3. Legislation passed which would limit the Council of Bishops membership only to active bishops (retired bishops have been disruptive and have advanced causes like homosexuality).
4. The restructuring plan which many felt was the major issue at the conference, did not pass the legislative group. Three different plans were proposed. All three were voted down primarily due to confusion of rules, inability to agree on needed compromises, and an inordinate amount of time spent on arguing who should serve on the oversight board.
5. The attempt to remove language in the Social Principles which states that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching (the basis for all other petitions on homosexual practice) failed 34-43. It had earlier passed the sublegislative group 14-12. There will be a floor fight and probably some demonstrations following the plenary vote.
6. A somewhat similar petition which would have stated that we agree to disagree on matters of homosexuality failed 33-43.
7. Definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman has been reaffirmed.
8. The petitions brought forth by the Ministry Study mostly failed. However, the petition that would removed guaranteed appointments for ministers in full connection has passed.
9. A statement strengthening our theological statement by emphasizing the primacy of Scripture passed.A petition allowing other ministries with women besides the official UMW passed in legislative group. This same petition presented by Renew had failed at a number of other General Conferences.
10. A footnote in Par. 311 which deals with the meaning of homosexuality in clergy matters passed 38-36. This will be debated on the floor of the conference.

All of these actions need discussion and approval by the plenary session before they become official. These debates will begin Monday and will last through Friday.

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Articles that may be of interest:

• 4/24/12 Methodist Convention This Week in Tampa – Unity Not on the Agenda
• 4/27/12 The Disconnect Between American Liberals and Africans in Tampa’s Methodist Convention
• 4/28/12 Conservative Methodists Making Headway in World Conference, Big Fight on Homosexuality in Offing
• 4/29/12 Update from United Methodist Church General Conference in Tampa – Conservatives Winning Most Votes, Setbacks for Abortion & Israeli Divestment Supporters
• 4/30/12 Good News Reports Most Endorsed Candidates for Methodist “Supreme Court,” University Senate Win
• 4/30/12 Conservatives Take Three of Four Vacancies on Methodist Judicial Council, Vote on Homosexuality Imminent
• 4/30/12 Good News Reports Most Endorsed Candidates for Methodist “Supreme Court,” University Senate Win
• 4/30/12 Conservatives Take Three of Four Vacancies on Methodist Judicial Council, Vote on Homosexuality Imminent
• 5/2/12 Methodists Vote Almost 3-1 Against Ending Investments (Divestment) in Motorola and CAT, Proportional Representation for Africans on Ruling Bodies, Preacher Tenure Ended
• 5/3/12 53% Reject Homosexual Liberalization at Tampa World Methodist Conference
• 5/3/12 Homosexuals Take over Methodist Tampa Convention Floor after Losing Vote
• 5/4/12 Coverage of Conservative Methodists’ Victory over Homosexual Activists Missing

I got two emails Saturday describing what is happening in Tampa during the early stages of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The Conference is the counterpart of the quadrennial political party conventions in the United States, except the action is on the platform.

It amends the Church’s Discipline, a rule book about who can become a preacher, what the church’s stance is on social issues like abortion and homosexuality and even what electric bulbs Methodists should be urged to purchase.

If this sounds a bit like a political convention, you’re probably figuring out why a political blog like this one might be interested.

I received two emails from conservative groups today and will borrow extensively from each.

Good News says that “a well-funded and extravagant lobbying effort to change United Methodism’s view on marriage and sexuality, and stacks and stacks of petitions” describe the process so far.

Here’s the rest of Saturday’s report:

The Renewal and Reform Coalition has observers in each of these legislative committees and we have been tracking the petitions that have a special interest to mainstream evangelical United Methodists in the pews.

We have been publishing our daily newsletter Focus every night and we held our second breakfast briefing this morning.

The entire General Conference will be dealing with these individual petitions when they gather as a plenary group on Monday, April 30. Although, all these are subject to change within the next few days, we did want to highlight a few issues you would care deeply about.

• Petition 21050 espousing the right to civil marriage and civil unions for homosexual persons was defeated 36-39
• Subcommittee took our statement on abortion in a more pro-life direction, adding that we oppose abortion except in cases of “conflicts of physical life with physical life” and added unconditional rejection of abortion for “eugenics”
• 

  The Rev. Tom Lambrecht of Good News

  Petition 20624 was adopted to end any funding for pro-choice political lobbies (including the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice) (63-6)

• Subcommittee did not approve attempts to end the prohibition on funding to promote the acceptance of homosexuality (20-1)
• Attempts to fund central conference theological education through the Ministerial Education Fund were defeated by a subcommittee in favor of another petition that would take $5 million from World Service apportionments and designate it for that purpose
• Petitions to delete the prohibition of the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals were not approved, however, a subcommittee approved petition 20994, which replaces that prohibition with the following language: “sexual conduct that occurs outside the context of a marriage between one man and one woman is incompatible with holy living. Therefore, those who engage in such practices, or who participate or represent themselves to others as participating in a relationship in which such practices are a part, including same-sex unions, may not be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The UMC.” (13-10)
• An approach to restructuring that would keep several church agencies with separate boards and one coordinating committee was favored over the proposal that would unify all agencies into a single board by a vote of 56-27, with a subcommittee now working on the details of implementation
• Proposals to eliminate the practice of homosexuality as a chargeable offense failed (27-20), but the definition of “immorality” as including “not being celibate in singleness or not faithful in a heterosexual marriage” was deleted as unnecessary
• Petition 20802 allowing supplemental women’s ministries in local churches in addition to United Methodist Women was adopted (40-13)
• Numerous proposals to require prospective church members to be received regardless of qualification were not approved. Instead, petition 20618 that protects pastoral discretion in determining a person’s readiness to assume the vows of membership and providing an appeal process to the local church PPR Committee was approved (29-28)
• Petition 20460 that permits an annual conference to use an apportionment formula whereby a church contributes a specified percentage of its current income or expenses was adopted (56-1-4)
• Petition 20875 to retain the current prohibition on homosexual unions was approved 63-10
• Proposal to establish a set-aside bishop to serve as president of the Council of Bishops was approved (49-6-5)

Please continue to pray for the delegates, observers, and all who are working for a faithful future for The United Methodist Church.

We invite you to join with other Christians around the globe who are praying that the 2012 General Conference proceedings will be led by the Holy Spirit.

As United Methodists, we are in desperate need of a season of revival, reform, and renewal. Nothing is more vital to the future of our denomination than a fresh touch from God and a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our congregations, seminaries, boards, and agencies.

Lord, we ask that a season of renewal and revival would begin at the 2012 General Conference.

[Those wishing to contribute to Good News can do so here.]

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The Confessing Movement offered this report for Saturday, day 5 of the General Conference:

Reports are coming in from legislative groups and their subcommittees. Each of these reports will be forwarded to the plenary sessions that will start dealing with petitions on Monday, April 30. Here are a few that will be of interest to Confessing Movement supporters.

1. A strong statement against pornography, submitted by the General Board of Church and Society, was approved by the subcommittee.
2. Petitions to change the definition of marriage to something other than a covenant between one man and one woman have not been approved by subcommittee.
3. After a time of holy conferencing and a long debate, a motion to delete the words “we believe the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching” passed by a vote of 14-12. However, as they often report on TV on the night of elections, “all the precincts are not yet counted.” About 100 supporters of Common Witness, the group lobbying to change the church’s position, crowded into the room. One African delegate indicated he felt he was uncomfortable. The petition will be forwarded to the whole legislative group and then to the plenary. Defenders of the Biblical stance on sexuality feel this vote will be overturned in the larger committee.
4. 4) A petition to study transgenderism failed 8-45.
5. 5) A vote to remove the prohibition against using church money to advance homosexual causes failed 1-21.
6. The vote is not yet finalized on a resolution for the church to withdraw from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), but a preliminary vote in subcommittee passed.  [This lobbying group is headquartered in the Methodist Building right next to the U.S. Supreme Court.  It opposes any restrictions on abortion.]
7. A motion for the funding of seminary education in the Central Conferences to the tune of 5 million dollars for the quadrennium passed the legislative group. This was instead of petitions that would cut the percentage of Ministerial Education Funds (MEF) going to U.S. seminaries in order to fund overseas seminaries.
8. Petitions which affirmed the pastor’s role in determining readiness for church membership have passed subcommittee. This topic became a major issue when a pastor in Virginia delayed membership to a practicing homosexual. He was removed from his pulpit by a bishop who said he did not have the right to deny anyone membership. The judicial council then overruled the bishop’s ruling and the pastor was restored. These petitions clarify and strengthen the pastor’s responsibility and right.
9. Legislation overturning guaranteed appointments for pastors has passed subcommittee. The legislation will allow easier removal of ineffective pastors.
10. The issue of term limits for bishops (appointed for eight years but need to be reelected for the next eight-year term) failed by a close margin of 25-28. This is sure to be debated further.
11. Legislation that would require 40% of faculty at United Methodist seminaries to be United Methodist, with reduced funding if less than that, has passed subcommittee.

All of this legislation will need to be approved or disapproved by the plenary session of all delegates but these first votes are an indication of which way the conference is leaning.

Contributions can be made to the Confessing Movement here.

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The Institute for Religion and Democracy made the following report today:

General Conference is a cauldron of controversies.

But some good news.

Despite liberal high hopes, lobbying to overturn United Methodism’s biblical stance on marriage seems to be failing.

Legislative subcommittees are so far rejecting

• same-sex marriage,
• any change in ordination standards, and
• affirming the ban on church funding for gay advocacy.

One committee rejected forcing homosexual scout leaders on the Boy Scouts.

The big fight likely will be over the Social Principles’ stance that homosexual practice is “incompatible” with Christian teaching. A subcommittee narrowly voted to remove “incompatible.” The full committee will debate and vote by this evening.

Meanwhile, there is reportedly legislation proceeding that would provide benefits to same sex partners in states where same sex marriage is legal.

And other legislation, approved in subcommittee, would redefine as marriage as two individuals rather than man and woman.

My own petition protecting religious adoption agencies’ ability to place children with traditional married couples was narrowly rejected in a committee, but we hope to get it to the main floor for debate.

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Of course, there is a plethora of political resolutions before the General Conference. United Methodism already officially opposes any law enforcement against illegal immigration. But even this extreme stance is apparently insufficient. Jeff Walton reported on a luncheon for liberalized immigration polices.

Promisingly, a subcommittee has approved United Methodist withdrawal from the radical Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

Please pray for God’s will at this General Conference. And please pray especially for courageous delegates, defending God’s Word, often surrounded by hostile activists.

With appreciation,

Mark Tooley
IRD President
Director, UMAction

P.S.: Please help sustain IRD/UMAction’s presence here in Tampa with an online donation of $25, $50, $100 or more today. Thank you!

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Other articles that may be of interest:

• 4/24/12 Methodist Convention This Week in Tampa – Unity Not on the Agenda
• 4/27/12 The Disconnect Between American Liberals and Africans in Tampa’s Methodist Convention
• 4/28/12 Conservative Methodists Making Headway in World Conference, Big Fight on Homosexuality in Offing
• 4/29/12 Update from United Methodist Church General Conference in Tampa – Conservatives Winning Most Votes, Setbacks for Abortion & Israeli Divestment Supporters
• 4/30/12 Good News Reports Most Endorsed Candidates for Methodist “Supreme Court,” University Senate Win
• 4/30/12 Conservatives Take Three of Four Vacancies on Methodist Judicial Council, Vote on Homosexuality Imminent
• 5/2/12 Methodists Vote Almost 3-1 Against Ending Investments (Divestment) in Motorola and CAT, Proportional Representation for Africans on Ruling Bodies, Preacher Tenure Ended
• 5/3/12 53% Reject Homosexual Liberalization at Tampa World Methodist Conference
• 5/3/12 Homosexuals Take over Methodist Tampa Convention Floor after Losing Vote
• 5/4/12 Coverage of Conservative Methodists’ Victory over Homosexual Activists Missing