by Steve | Aug 15, 2016 | In the News, Perspective E-Newsletter
Rev. Jeff Greenway
The creation of the Wesleyan Covenant Association continues to stir interest across The United Methodist Church.
In an extensive article for the United Methodist News Service, reporter Heather Hahn interviewed organizers and cited detractors of the new organization.
“This group was not formed to be the start of a new denomination,” the Rev. Jeff Greenway told Hahn. “It was formed to provide a new, broader voice and encouragement to persons who are dedicated to the very best of scriptural Christianity in our Wesleyan, evangelical, orthodox tradition within The United Methodist Church.”
Greenway, the lead pastor of Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church in Ohio, was among nearly 50 United Methodists who met in Houston to give shape and guidance to the organization.
The association is planning a major launch event on Friday, October 7 in Chicago that is open to all United Methodist laity and clergy. The organization reported that registration for the conference is now open.
Hahn reported that Bishop Bruce Ough, president of the Council of Bishops, identified the “emergence” of the association as one of the “recent moves that have ‘fanned the fears of schism.'”
Ough lumped the organization’s creation with annual “conferences voting noncompliance with restrictions related to homosexuality and the election of the denomination’s first openly gay episcopal leader, Bishop Karen Oliveto.”
According to Hahn, Greenway took issue with Ough’s claim. The “group organizers are loyal United Methodists who have kept their ordination vows, paid church apportionments, and worked to keep fellow evangelicals from leaving the denomination.”
Rev. Carolyn Moore
In a gracious, but pointed blog post, Dr. Kevin Watson, a theologian at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, argued that Ough’s comparing the association’s creation with obvious acts of ecclesial disobedience is “misleading.”
Hahn also reported that the Rev. Carolyn Moore, another association organizer, referenced the impending work of the Council of Bishops’ Special Commission that will bring recommendations on the future of the church to a called General Conference scheduled for 2018.
Moore, pastor of Mosaic UM Church in Evans, Georgia, told Hahn, “We want to give folks a place to land while we wait for the commission to perform its function. We are doing our level best to cooperate with the will of the General Conference, and hope that by banding together we will help others to wait and watch the Lord work, too.”
– Good News Media Service
by Steve | Aug 5, 2016 | In the News, Magazine, Magazine Articles, Perspective E-Newsletter
By Walter Fenton – The Western Jurisdiction’s election of an openly gay clergywoman as a bishop of The United Methodist Church essentially smothered developments at other jurisdictional gatherings this past July.
Of course, other bishops were elected; some were conservative, some centrist, and others progressive. Suffice it to say that the Council of Bishops will be substantially the same over the next quadrennium. Which is to say divided, and therefore unwillingly or unable to lead, even when it comes to promoting our church’s teachings and enforcing a clergyperson’s fidelity to them.
Given the lack of accountability it surprises no one anymore that progressives continue to push the envelope when it comes to achieving by ecclesial defiance what they cannot through “Christian conferencing.” The election of an openly gay bishop is now the primary indicator their strategy is working.
But it’s not the only indicator. For example, at the Northeastern Jurisdictional (NEJ) Conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, delegates approved resolutions that flaunted the Book of Discipline’s teachings on same sex marriage and the ordination of openly gay clergy.
Some of the resolutions passed with broad support. One resolution, which called for non-compliance with the Discipline, garnered 60 percent of the vote even though the delegates knew the NEJ College of Bishops would have to rule it out of order.
Similar resolutions were, however, ultimately ruled in order because friendly, or what others might call cynical, amendments allowed for their approval.
For instance, a proposal calling for the NEJ College of Bishops to refuse to hear complaints, initiate investigations, or conduct church trials for pastors who preside at same sex services or self-avow as an openly gay clergyperson was initially ruled out of order by Bishop Thomas Bickerton, who said it called for bishops to violate the Book of Discipline. However, he did allow the body to debate it.
Rev. Gere Reist, Photo by Mike DuBos, UMNS.
The Rev. Gere Reist, the widely known outgoing secretary of the denominations’ General Conference, offered the following amendment: that NEJ annual conference councils on finance and administration (CFAs) simply “state that there are no funds available for initiating and processing of complaints and initiating of investigations and trials based upon the sexual orientation or marital status of faithful United Methodists or involving clergy for conducting same-sex weddings.”
It was one of the most cynical proposals we have ever witnessed. Clearly Reist had not consulted with the CFAs to determine whether such a statement were true or not. It also ran headlong into the UM Church’s constitutional provision that all clergy have a right to trial. And finally, it would have CFAs state they have “no funds available for initiating and processing of complaints and initiating of investigations and trials” only in cases having to do with clergy presiding at same-sex weddings or identifying as openly gay.
Initially, the progressive majority marveled and rejoiced at Reist’s clever amendment. And even Bickerton congratulated him for a maneuver that would now allow the bishops to rule the resolution in order.
One delegate, who supported the amendment, wondered aloud if it wouldn’t be best, in the interest of fairness, to ask the CFAs to say they have “no funds available for initiating and processing of complaints and initiating of investigations and trials” for any judicial cases.
For maybe a minute, the body seemed genuinely challenged by the idea, but after mulling it over a bit, decided no, CFAs should just say they don’t have funds for certain complaints, investigations, and trials. Apparently, in the case of a pastor encouraging her congregants to withhold their tithes and gifts from an ethically challenged annual conference, funds could be found for judicial proceedings.
A brave delegate from the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference then rose to the floor and had the impertinence to ask, “I have trouble with this amendment; aren’t we essentially asking people to lie?”
For a few moments the assembled pastors and lay delegates – the recognized leaders of an entire jurisdiction of the UM Church – were sobered by the question. But ultimately 96 of the 160 voting delegates decided the ends justified the means; asking people to lie in the interest of the LGBTQ+ agenda seemed fine with them.
Later, the NEJ College of Bishops informed the delegates it would have to rule the entire amended resolution out of order if its title, “Stop the Church Trials,” remained a part of it. The delegates voted 111 to 53 to strip the title so the proposal as amended by Reist would stand.
Finally, another brave soul, this time from the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference, requested a decision of law regarding the legitimacy of the resolution. The presiding bishop said he would issue a ruling in 30 days.
Walter Fenton is a United Methodist clergyperson and analyst for Good News.
by Steve | Jul 22, 2016 | In the News, Perspective E-Newsletter, Press Releases
Adopted by the board on July 18, 2016
The following statement was adopted by the Good News board following the recent election of a married lesbian as bishop and the actions of nine annual conferences refusing to conform to the Book of Discipline.
The United Methodist Church faces a constitutional crisis. Nine annual conferences and two jurisdictional conferences have pledged non-conformity to our church order and polity. This rebellion has now culminated in the election of a married lesbian clergyperson as bishop, contrary to the requirements of our Book of Discipline. These schismatic actions have ruptured the unity of the denomination. Without swift and decisive action by the Council of Bishops and other leaders, it may be impossible to restore that unity. This rebellious behavior ignores the adoption of legislation at General Conference in May 2016 that called for a pause in all “legislative solutions” regarding the church’s historic position on human sexuality to make space for a special commission appointed by our bishops to consider the future of the church.
Accordingly, we urge that:
- The Council of Bishops issue a statement rejecting Karen Oliveto’s election as bishop and asking her to resign the office for the sake of the unity of the church;
- The Council of Bishops act swiftly to form the special commission approved by General Conference, with fair representation of the church theologically and geographically;
- That the Bishops’ Commission complete its work within 18 months on two options:
- A plan that will resolve our differences over the church’s teachings on marriage and human sexuality that can garner the support of at least two-thirds of the General Conference delegates, thus preserving the unity of the church
- A plan for the fair and equitable separation of the church that will allow progressives and traditionalists to be faithful to the grace and truth of God as they understand them
- That the Council of Bishops call a special session of the General Conference to be held by October 31, 2018, to consider these proposals;
- That individual bishops and annual conferences cease any discrimination against or penalizing of clergy who espouse and defend the current and historic position of the church on marriage and human sexuality;
- That evangelical and traditionalist United Methodists come together through the newly formed Wesleyan Covenant Association as a way of speaking with one voice and acting together to promote orthodox Wesleyan scriptural Christianity in response to whatever recommendations come from the Bishops’ Commission.
We strongly believe that those individuals, annual conferences, and jurisdictions that are acting contrary to our church order and discipline are promoting and causing separation in the body. Whatever our points of disagreement, it is these defiant actions that are bringing about division and separation, not the disagreements themselves.
Years of increasingly wayward actions have caused deep anguish and pain among orthodox and traditionalist United Methodists. These actions have caused thousands of our members to leave the UM Church for non-denominational bodies, precipitated the departure or early retirement of effective clergy, and prevented the calling of new young clergy who see no future in a denomination that is plagued by constant fighting and a disintegrating connectional polity. We have been forced to try to explain to potential members why the actions of a minority do not represent the teachings of the church and yet are permitted almost without consequence. Plummeting morale among clergy and lay leaders alike and the accelerating decline of our church membership and attendance have created in some parts of our connection a sense of helplessness and hopelessness.
Faced with this crisis, many of our laity and even some clergy and entire congregations are reconsidering their membership and participation within The United Methodist Church. Some congregations and many laity will no longer find it possible to financially support a church that has intentionally violated Scripture and our covenant, with potentially devastating impact on the global church, annual conference ministry, and even local church ministry. We have heard from those who plan to redirect or delay their apportionments to no longer support the Episcopal Fund, out of which bishops’ salaries and expenses are paid. Others plan to redirect or delay most or all general church apportionments, and some in affected annual conferences are redirecting or delaying annual conference apportionments as well. We have also heard from laity who plan to stop supporting their local church financially until such time as they can be assured that their tithes and offerings are not going to a disobedient denomination.
We plead with the Council of Bishops to act swiftly and decisively to quell this growing crisis. We appeal to all United Methodists to pray earnestly that God will open the way for a return to connectional faithfulness and a renewed commitment to scriptural holiness in the personal and social dimensions. We commit ourselves to stand strongly on the foundation of God’s holy word and to work with like-minded brothers and sisters in the United States and in the global church to lead the way to a faithful future.
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Press contacts:
Rev. Keith Boyette, board chair (540/538-3202)
Rev. Rob Renfroe, president and publisher (281/507-9153)
by Steve | Jul 21, 2016 | In the News, Perspective E-Newsletter
In this video presentation, the Rev. Rob Renfroe, president of Good News, addresses the schismatic election of the Rev. Karen Oliveto in the Western Jurisdiction. Oliveto is the first married lesbian to be elected as a bishop. We encourage you to pray for the future of The United Methodist Church and to join us in Chicago on October 7 for the convening gathering of the Wesleyan Covenant Association.
by Steve | Jul 20, 2016 | In the News, Uncategorized
Rev. Jeff Greenway
As a pastor in The United Methodist Church, I write to share some happenings in our connectional family that merit a word. One of the great gifts of my life is being the Lead Pastor at Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church. I love our congregation, and it is out of love that I write today. Whether you agree or disagree with what follows, I love you and I hope we can remain friends.
Every four years, regional bodies of representative elected clergy and laity from gather in what is called Jurisdictional Conferences. The primary purpose of the Jurisdictional Conference is for the election and assignment of Bishops in that region. We are a part of the West Ohio Conference which is a part of the North Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. I just returned from Peoria, Illinois, and the holy task of electing and consecrating four new Bishops for our region. Similar conferences were held at the same time in the North East, South East, South Central and Western U.S. A total of 15 new Bishops have been elected and consecrated this week.
The Western Jurisdiction — which has been increasingly strident in its rebellion against our United Methodist Book of Discipline in matters related to human sexuality — elected and consecrated the Rev. Karen Oliveto as a Bishop of the United Methodist Church. This election was made with intent and forethought, and was done in defiance of our Book of Discipline. She is an openly gay woman who is married to her partner which by church law should disqualify her from serving as a pastor in The United Methodist Church. By her own admission, she has performed more than 50 ceremonies celebrating homosexual unions — once again a violation of our Book of Discipline. She did not make a secret of this when she stood for election, and was elected by a regional body as an act of defiance against our polity.
United Methodists believe sexual relations are a gift from God — and our sexuality is best expressed in the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage. Any other expression — sex before marriage, adultery, polygamy, etc. — is less than God’s best and created design. The teaching of the church has not changed — even though it may be seen as some to be countercultural in 21st Century America — like it was in 1st Century Corinth. It remains biblically and theologically rooted. Our pastors are not permitted to conduct and our buildings are not permitted to be used for same-sex weddings.
Some might welcome this act of defiance. They see this as a justice issue that once “solved” will help make the church more “relevant” for our day and time. I do not. I wept this morning as my phone blew up with messages from across the United Methodist Church. I was surprised by my tears. The election did not come as a surprise to me, but my heart-brokenness did. I wept for what I see as a blatant disregard for the authority of Scripture and the law of the church. I wept for the pain this act will cause. I wept for the spiritual harm that is being done. I wept for the loss of what once was — the church that I was born and raised in appears to be headed for schism — a divorce over irreconcilable differences. I wept for the persons with sexual brokenness in our congregation who might be further delayed in finding wholeness in Jesus because of the confusion this might cause. I wept.
This decision is about so much more than human sexuality. It is about the nature of salvation — what we are saved from and what we are saved to. It is about the relevance of Jesus in every generation. It is about the role, nature and authority of Scripture. It is about the promises we make and keep when we are ordained, and whether there comes a time when they are to be set aside for another calling. It is about the core of the Gospel message in our Wesleyan, Evangelical, orthodox tradition. It is about balancing grace and truth.
The Rev. Oliveto’s election has been appealed to The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council (our Supreme Court) who will decide whether it is legal according to our church law, but in the meantime, the whole of the church must wait. I am not a prophet — nor am I the son of a prophet — and I still hope against hope that we might find a faithful way to be united — but the action of the Western Jurisdiction is the latest sign that we are either in or inevitably headed for schism. Which means the church I was baptized, confirmed and ordained in will look dramatically different in the future.
We must pray for what the next right steps are. Our Church Board has been discussing these types of possibilities for the last year or more. I am so impressed by their deep faith and servant leadership. We will continue our conversation and exploration of next right steps for us — as we strive to be faithful Jesus and our congregation while leading though this time. They have given me permission to serve on the design team for the Wesleyan Covenant Association as we explore what the future holds for all of us (www.wesleyancovenant.org).
Now is not the time for rash action. This is not the time to stop attending, stop giving or withdrawn your membership from Reynoldsburg UMC. We are still the same congregation we were yesterday. Our Mission and Vision are still the same. We will hold to our high view of the Bible and to our commitment to introduce people to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. We will still welcome all kinds of folks, and diligently try to show and share Jesus while teaching what it looks like to live God’s best in our lives and community. We will do everything we can do to not become an issue centered congregation while sharing the fullness of the Gospel’s power to forgive sin and transform lives to anyone and everyone who is a part of our community.
I am honored to be your pastor and friend,
Pastor Jeff Greenway
by Steve | Jul 19, 2016 | In the News, Press Releases
In light of the election of a married lesbian as a bishop of the United Methodist Church, faithful United Methodists can endorse the following statement by visiting Methodist Crossroads.
Good News issues the following statement in light of the election of a married, lesbian as a bishop of the United Methodist Church. Shortly, faithful United Methodists will have a chance to endorse the statement.
A Statement to the Council of Bishops from Faithful United Methodists
With the election of the Rev. Karen Oliveto as a bishop of The United Methodist Church, a pastor who is married to another woman and therefore unqualified to assume the office, it is clear to most people that the church has reached a crisis point.
Therefore, we call upon the Council of Bishops to do one of the following: [1] To do all within its power to rectify this breach of our covenant by issuing a strong statement opposing Oliveto’s election, and petitioning the Judicial Council to rule the election null and void. Or [2], expedite the appointment of the members to its “Special Commission,” and to revise the commission’s mandate as follows: the sole purpose of the special commission is to devise an equitable and structured plan of separation of The United Methodist Church, and to present such a plan to a called General Conference to be held no later than October 31, 2018.
For 44 years our denomination has debated its sexual ethics at every level of the church. Valiant efforts have been made to bridge the divide and find ways to maintain unity. Unfortunately, all have failed, and we must confess that in recent years the chasm has only widened.
Shortly after the 2012 General Conference progressives decided to forsake our process of corporate discernment outlined in our Book of Discipline. Instead, they embarked upon an escalating and costly strategy of ecclesial disobedience. Since then we have witnessed the following:
- Many pastors and at least one bishop have, against the express will of General Conference and our Discipline, presided at same-sex weddings.
- Over one hundred clergy have openly acknowledged they are in same-sex partnered relationships, and still others have themselves married same-sex partners in the sanctuaries of local UM churches.
- In many of these cases our bishops have either been unwilling or unable to hold these clergy accountable for these acts of ecclesial disobedience.
- And in several instances, bishops have mocked our polity by administering disingenuous and even frivolous penalties for serious transgressions of our covenant.
This strategy of ecclesial disobedience has now reached new heights with the election of Oliveto as a bishop of the whole church. She has openly acknowledged that she has presided at over 50 same-sex weddings. And she clearly has no intention of holding her clergy colleagues accountable to their vows regarding our church’s sexual ethics. Her election to the episcopacy comes after:
- Four boards of ministry, five annual conferences, and two jurisdictions have voted to defy the will of General Conference and reject the rules of our Discipline.
- And the news that one of our bishops knowingly ordained an openly gay person as an elder and commissioned others for service in our church.
It is now obvious that progressives have no intention of waiting for the bishops’ special commission to fulfill its mandate to revisit our church’s sexual ethics and return with recommendations to preserve church unity. Such a task now seems naïve and out of touch with the reality of our situation. The recent actions of progressives speak as loudly as their words; they no longer want to walk together, they want to walk their own way, regardless of what the rest of our global church says.
Their acts of ecclesial disobedience have:
- Seriously undermined the ministries of thousands of clergy colleagues and the work of thousands of local churches.
- Pastors and lay leaders have spent precious time and talent trying to carefully explain to new and old members why our church’s leaders have failed to uphold the Discipline and maintain the good order of the church.
- Many pastors and local churches have witnessed the departure of faithful members and clergy colleagues dismayed by a church that says one thing about the importance of our biblically grounded sexual ethics, but then allows others to routinely flout them.
- And in recent years, annual conferences have watched healthy, vibrant local churches leave the denomination because they can no longer be yoked to a church that refuses to live by its own standards.
Our church is in crisis, and it is so at a time when it can least afford it. In the U.S. the long, steady decline in membership and worship attendance is now accelerating at alarming levels. Consequently, local churches, annual conferences, and the general church have been forced to slash budgets and pare back ministries. Before the church is harmed any further, it is imperative for our bishops to do all in their power to either rectify this very serious breach of our covenant or empower the special commission to devise a structured and equitable plan of separation for the consideration of a special called General Conference.
It is time to end the deadlock and to liberate one another with genuine affection. It is time to find a new way forward that honors our consciences and allows people of good faith to live into new ways of being the church.
We call upon all faithful United Methodists to be in prayer for our leaders, and for those who will be appointed as commission members.
