Not long after our deadline, the nine-member Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church (the denomination’s Supreme Court) responded to the South Central Jurisdictional Conference, regarding the election of Mountain Sky Area Bishop Karen Oliveto, the denomination’s first openly gay bishop.
Last summer, Dixie Brewster, a South Central Jurisdiction delegate and lay member of the Great Plains Annual Conference, moved that the delegates request a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on the following matter: “Is the nomination, election, consecration, and/or assignment as a bishop of The United Methodist Church of a person who claims to be a ‘self-avowed practicing homosexual’ or is a spouse in a same-sex marriage lawful under The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church?”
Good News will provide full analysis of the decision in the next issue of the magazine. In the interim, be sure to follow our coverage at goodnewsmag.org.
This issue all comes down to a few basic questions. 1) Do you believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God? 2) If so, are you truly comitted and obedient to His Word? 3) Are you willing to stand strong against intense pressure of any kind to give in and follow the false ideologies and misleading demands of this world? If the answer to any of these questions is no, you are very likely on the wide path (as opposed to the narrow path that leads that to life in Christ). Denying the truth of God’s Word is the same as denying Christ Himself, for He is the Living Word. Time is getting very short so take heed and make wise choices, for in these last days, “many will be deceived.”
Ruth God Bless You. You have stated the absolute truth. The Bible is basic instruction before leaving Earth
The Bible must be the defining factor for what we as UM believe! It is not a book published by a denomination called The Book of Discipline. I adhere to the book of discipline and approve of it’s use in guiding us a UM. However, I too believe that the Bible is God’s inherent word and He sanctions everything in it. When we read the Bible there are many stories that i believe God frowned on and displeased him. But those are there as an example for us NOT to follow. I pray God’s blessings upon the UM as we go forward. I pray that we will use the Bible – God’s Word – to define our direction.