In the late 1980's the United Church of Canada was in turmoil as the denomination grappled with its stance on the welcome of gays and lesbians into the pews and in pulpits (the acronym LGBTQ didn't exist in those days). Of course they were already present, but did not necessarily feel welcome or accepted,
It was a confusing time for the church with the General Council of 1988 making a landmark decision about inclusivity which ironically divided many congregations and caused thousands to leave the UCC. I had just begun a new pastorate and had to contend with angry people (only a few) I didn't yet know with limited information about what had actually transpired.
While ultimately this was a courageous decision by the United Church there was nothing easy about this for anyone. Although it was meant to be a step forward in inclusivity most LGBTQ persons, including those in ministry, were reluctant to be public about their orientation, knowing full well that a decision made by a group of well-intentioned commissioners at a national gathering wouldn't necessarily translate to immediate acceptance at the local congregational level. Some have argued that this was the beginning of serious decline for the United Church but we have seen similar trends for other mainline churches in Canada which have dithered for decades over their courses of action.
All this comes to mind as the United Methodist church in the United States, a denomination not unlike the UCC in theology, is in the midst of a special multiday meeting to address significant changes to its polity. Nearly 900 from around world are debating and will likely vote on one of three proposals.
One would allow same-sex weddings and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy — while also giving church conferences outside the U.S. the power to prohibit these practices.
A third proposal would reorganize the church into three "values-based" groups and let each group make its own rules.
Amongst the UMC challenges are the conservatism of the denomination in other parts of the world and the threat of some large congregations in the US with departure if either of the first two proposals is adopted.
We can pray for the United Methodists in their deliberations and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the denomination as it makes decisions.
Some thoughts on the Big Smoke and Sleeping Beauty in today's Groundling blog
https://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-big-smoke-and-sleeping-beauty.html
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