No schism! UMC still united
 

 

 

By Cathy Farmer

 

The United Methodist Church declared its firm intention to remain one church during an emotional session Friday, May 7, in Pittsburgh.

After enduring days of rumors that a resolution would be presented to the General Conference asking for an “amicable separation” of The United Methodist Church, delegates to the worldwide body were overjoyed to vote instead for a resolution declaring the Church’s intention to remain in covenant with one another.

The resolution reads: “As United Methodists we remain in covenant with one another, even in the midst of disagreement, and reaffirm our commitment to work together for our common mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ throughout the world.” It was passed by a vote of 869 for, 41 against, with 8 abstentions.

 

‘Great joy and thanksgiving!’

Dr. Harry Durbin Sr., senior pastor of Collierville United Methodist Church and co-leader of the Memphis Conference delegation, said, “Yesterday, May 6, there was a sense of uneasiness in the body because of a rumor circulating that a resolution would be presented considering the possibility of amicably dividing the Church. But it was an unfounded rumor centered around participants who were not delegates.

“On Friday morning,” he continued, “a resolution on unity was presented that proved to be a healing and hopeful statement that we will continue to be a united church committed to making disciples at home and around the world.

“Personally,” he said, “I was overwhelmed, as most delegates appeared to be, with joy and thanksgiving that our great Church had voted overwhelmingly to affirm our unity. Delegate after delegate greeted and embraced one another. I saw many shedding tears as they shared words of peace and shared hope. It was truly the most powerful moment of healing I’ve ever experienced.”

Mrs. Beth Brown, an alternate delegate from Union City, Tenn., said, “I think the resolution on unity was very much needed. We’ve experienced divisiveness this week and now we feel united as a body. I wept. It was a powerfully moving experience for me. The events in the last 48 hours have been deeply troubling. We needed to come together as a body of Christ on this final day of General Conference.”

The resolution was presented by leaders from various areas of the country and abroad.

Dr. William Hinson, president of the Confessing Movement, one of the conservative factions within The United Methodist Church, appeared before the General Conference to “clear the air of rumor and innuendo.” A resolution proposing an “amicable separation” of the Church that was supposedly written by Hinson had been floating in the hallways of the conference.

In a press conference following his appearance before the delegates, Hinson said, “I feel a deep sense of sadness about the brokenness of the Church. Nobody wants to hurt this Church deliberatively or intentionally. I’m standing here in amazement at the combustibility of an early morning speech made by someone who is not a delegate.”

Hinson spoke at a Good News breakfast saying he believed the gulf between the liberal and conservative factions of the Church could not be bridged. He also said he believed the Church must explore an amicable and just separation.

 

The 800 pound gorilla

In answer to a question as to why his words were so combustible, he replied, “Because I named the 800 pound gorilla in the room instead of walking around it. I know it’s on the hearts and minds of many United Methodists.”

However, Hinson went on to say, “I believe in unity too. I desire unity. But I don’t think the gap can be bridged.”

He also disavowed the writing of the resolution calling for amicable separation.

“I’ve never written a resolution. If I had, it would look a lot better than the one circulating. It was very unfortunate.

“The grass roots are very frustrated. That frustration comes from a feeling of hopelessness when our covenant, our law, is deliberately defied or ignored. I also feel great suffering from my gay and lesbian friends. I’m hurt deeply by their pain. Why do we continue to step on one another’s dreams? We’re hurting too. In our dialogue together, our friends, the liberals, made it clear they will never leave (the denomination)—and we will never leave it. Both groups are equally committed to our Wesleyan heritage.”

Dr. John Schol, a general conference delegate from Eastern Pennsylvania, said, “I’ve received many calls from home. Many are very concerned about the news they’ve read concerning schism. They’re asking me if our denomination is splitting. We’ve now sent a message (with the Resolution on Unity) that we are unified. I felt a great sense of relief that we reaffirmed our covenant. We agree we have a mission of making disciples around the world. I think we demonstrated very clearly the United Methodist Church will continue as we know it.”

Dr. Bruce Robbins, former general secretary of the general commission on Christian Unity and Inter-Religious Concerns, said, “I see a deep commitment to find ways to bridge the differences.”

In answer to a question about whether or not the election of a gay bishop by the Episcopal Church affected the question of separation, he said, “The place of gay and lesbian persons is deeply divisive across the country. The pain has affected us. There’s a long, difficult road ahead. So, yes, it has had an impact, and so has the discussion among Presbyterians.

“It’s a challenge for all of us to discern how to build a bridge,” Robbins said, “but God has an imagination that goes beyond our imaginings.

“The United Methodist Church has not proposed to split,” he continued. “It’s quite the reverse. United Methodists are determined to seek authentic unity. It’s a goal for all of us.”

Kathryn Johnson, executive director of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (an unofficial organization of the United Methodist Church), said any talk of divorce is premature. “But we haven’t looked honestly at our deep divisions,” she said. “We must look at ways to live together, respect each others’ differences.”

 

Memphis delegate elected alternate to Judicial Council

 

 

 

By Cathy Farmer

 

I voted for you because you’re a dentist and I know you look for minute things.”

Those words by a General Conference delegate convinced Dr. Solomon Christian, a Memphis dentist, that he’s been spending his life doing exactly what God wants him to be doing.

“In India, in 1968, when I was admitted to dental school, one of my acquaintances laughed at me. People in India don’t go to the dentist because they don’t have the money for dental treatment,” Christian said.

On the basis of his score on entry exams, the young Methodist had been allocated a slot in dental school instead of medical school.

“I asked God then, ‘Why do You want me to become a dentist? Why not a medical doctor?’”

Over the years, even after immigrating to America, Christian kept asking that question. For a while, he thought he had discovered the answer.

“As a dentist, I was able to help my church in India,” he said. “I built three churches in my home conference and I established a dental clinic there. I thought that was the answer, but now, I think I have the right answer. I will be serving God on the Judicial Council.

“This is a proud moment for India.”

As first lay alternate to the denomination’s highest court, Christian will be asked to deal with issues as central to the Church as the decisions handed down by the Judicial Council during General Conference 2004.

The present court ruled that the practice of homosexuality is a chargeable offense under the 2000 Discipline; that the court does not have the authority to review the findings of the trial court in the case of the Rev. Karen Dammann; and that a bishop may not appoint one who has been found by a trial court to be a self-avowed, practicing homosexual.

The court also ruled that unwillingness by a pastor to lead a church toward full payment of apportionments does not constitute a chargeable offense.

Two lay and two clergy persons were elected to the court. Jon R. Gray, Missouri, and Beth Capen, New York, were elected as lay members. The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, South Carolina, and the Rev. Dennis L. Blackwell, Greater New Jersey, were elected as clergy members.

At an organizational meeting of the 2004-08 council, Dr. James Holsinger was elected president.Holsinger is a physician in Lexington, Ky., who currently serves as the secretary of health and family services for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

“I look forward to these next four years,” Holsinger said. “I think this will be a good council which will work well together.”

 

Deep pain fuels march demanding open doors
 

The booming of a drum signaled the start a demonstration urging The United Methodist Church to open its doors to lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals and transgendered persons.

Conference business was peacefully interrupted around 11:10 a.m. when more than 500 people circled the floor for 35 minutes, carrying banners and singing hymns of reconciliation. The demonstration was led by Soulforce, a non-denominational gay rights advocacy group.

Earlier in the week, delegates upheld the denomination’s positions on homosexuality, including the belief that the practice of homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching” and that “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” should not be allowed into ordained ministry.

Jim Perry, chair of the Commission on General Conference, said the goal of the group was to engage in peaceful, respectful demonstration. “I was satisified with the way it went,” he said.

“This provided an atmosphere of inclusivity for a portion of this gathering who have been feeling excluded,” Perry said.

Watching from the reserve delegate seats were (L-R) Sky Lowe-McCracken and David Comperry. Backs to the camera or partially obscured are Solomon Christian, Nancy Eubanks and Beth Brown.