Would you vote to approve someone for ordination if part of their identity was characterized as LGBTQ?
In answering this question from our Way Forward Bible Study, I start with matters of calling, character, and competencies, as well as faithfulness, and fruitfulness in ministry. As United Methodists, we have a long and involved process for this discernment, which includes seminary, psychological evaluations, internships, residencies, with lots of written responses and interviews along the way. Many who start the process do not end up ordained. If someone is deemed to have a clear calling, evidence of faithful character, and who bear good fruit in ministry, it would be hard for me to not affirm them for ordination. As a part of the above criteria, I would have trouble voting for anyone who wanted to use ordination to push a particular personal agenda. Ordination is for those who submit to a higher calling to proclaim and teach God’s word to all, to share the sacraments with all, to order the whole church for ministry, and to cultivate opportunities for others to serve Christ. This is not a position to be used to promote a personal agenda. After this discernment, I would also trust the bishop and cabinet around issues of making appointments. This is already a consideration at many levels – divorce, multiple-marriages, violation of covenants and repentance, and to be totally honest, we still deal with issues around ethnicity, gender, language, and theological orientations, all in consultation with congregations who are able to share what they want in a pastor. Finally, if a person was actually asked about their sexual orientation, it might be worth hearing someone say that they are a “self-avowed practicing Christian” and that their sexuality, wherever it might be on the wide spectrum of sexual orientation, was submitted to this primary identity and that they were seeking to engage in all relationships in ways that honored this calling. In my mind, that would be refreshing and would help all of us focus on our higher calling.
Reflection Questions: What are your expectations of a pastor? What is the pastor’s role in a congregation? (These are the issues that have led us to this General Conference. In the midst of them, we are called to find common ground in values at a higher level. When we do that God is glorified).
“Would you participate in the marriage of a same-sex couple?
In answering this question, I must start with the purpose of marriage as outlined by John Wesley and his commentary on scripture. Beyond “repairing the species,” as he called it, the purpose of marriage is to “further holiness.” In other words, marriage is an institution where we can cultivate the virtues of holiness – patience, forgiveness, gentleness, humility, self-control, peace, and joy. That’s what makes marriage good for individuals and for society as a whole. In Wesley’s language, marriage is meant to “temper” us. In working with any couple, I want to encourage them to make a commitment to practice faithfulness and to grow into this kind of holiness. If a same-sex couple expressed interest in a relationship with the church as a way to cultivate these commitments, I would feel led to invest in them. From here, we would engage in a discussion about current disciplinary restrictions and ways to honor this commitment without violating the covenant we share in a global church with diverse perspectives. In this discussion, I would lift up the call of all Christians to sacrifice their own feelings and opinions in order to build relationships with others. I would invite this couple to respect those who desire to support more traditional understandings of marriage. I would share some of the implications and blessings of being in a global church, with diverse cultural perspectives. In this light, I would share my preference for keeping the traditional and beautiful liturgy for marriage intact, while at the same time, express my hope for being able to offer another liturgy that would bless the covenant between them and affirm the legal union between them. In a spirit of Christ’s love, these two understandings of marriage and covenants are not mutually exclusive. Both can be honored. In the history of marriage, we see many changes — from issues of property to divorce to roles – and yet some things do not change. For all couples who feel led to unite in this way, I would lift up the same biblical values — monogamy, faithfulness, and a desire to grow in holiness together. This is not about the pushing an agenda and is certainly not about saying “anything goes;” my pastoral concern is how to faithfully respond to anyone who wants to practice faithfulness and grow in the love of Christ. That’s the lifestyle that the church is called to cultivate.
Reflection Questions: What is the purpose of a marriage relationship? How is marriage itself – in terms of sacrificing our opinions to build relationships and practicing holiness – a model for the church?
“What is your opinion about the statement that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings?”
I believe that this language needs to go. The word “homosexual “is an offensive term. We’ve been asked not to use it by many for whom this term is used. It is hurtful. Until recently, this term was used to define a psychological disorder. Beyond this, it defines people by their sexuality and puts them into a box of negative stereotypes. We don’t define others in this way – and if we do, it is often in a derogatory way. Even for those who see this as a sin — unredeemable by grace and by the virtues of faithfulness, commitment, and love — we don’t label others by what we see as their sins. And next, when this word is used in some translations of the Bible, it is used to translate words that connote abusive behavior, or words that suggest being soft, carefree, or hedonistic. Such behaviors can be seen as incompatible with Christian virtues, but to use this term, and these insinuations, for persons who want to practice faithfulness, commitment, and to grow in the virtues of holiness, is both unfair and harmful. Those labelled in this way can legitimately say that this term, with these connotations, does not describe them. In my opinion, it is a shame that this next General Conference will be focused around a word that hurts and de-humanizes people. At the very least, I believe that this language needs to be removed from the Book of Discipline. This does not mean it should be replaced with language that says it is compatible. I believe we should leave that for continued holy conferencing and seeking God’s guidance, and that we should allow (and protect) clergy and congregations to follow their conscience on how to love others in this regard, and in a wide diversity of cultural contexts.
Reflection Questions: How can we approach this “issue,” knowing that we are talking about real people? What practices are needed to help us cultivate healthy community, in a way that is faithful and does not bring more harm into the world? What is your responsibility as an individual?
What is your hope for this congregation in the light of decisions that will be made at General Conference around issues of human sexuality?
Throughout our conversations, our theme verse has come from the Apostle Paul, who urges us to live into the calling that we have been given, “with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing one another in love, and eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:1-6). It is clear from these words, that unity is not the same as uniformity. The virtues would not be needed if we were meant to retreat into “like-minded camps.” Rather, we are called to honor a variety of gifts and perspectives and to practice our “calling” in the midst of our diversity. That’s how we prepare ourselves for the kingdom of God. My hope is that this calling would be strengthened among us and would be at the heart of our witness. May Love Grow Here!
Reflection Questions: Looking at this chapter of Ephesians, what is the difference between unity and uniformity? What values do we want to promote and cultivate? What different will this make in the world?
Connected In Christ 