Posted on 06/03/2011 5:30:01 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Same-sex marriage is illegal in Minnesota but 70 United Methodist clergy in the state have signed a statement saying they will marry gay couples.
"We joyfully affirm that we will offer the grace of the Church’s blessing to any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage," reads the statement introduced this week at the 2011 Minnesota Annual Conference.
"We are convinced by the witness of others and are compelled by Spirit and conscience to act. We thank the many United Methodists who have already called for full equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of the Church."
The Rev. Bruce Robbins, pastor of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, read the statement to clergy Wednesday during a time of personal privilege, the United Methodist News Service reported. By the end the day, 40 clergy members had signed the statement. As of Friday, the number of signers reached 70.
"We repent that it has taken us so long to act," continues the statement, entitled "Equality for All in Christian Marriage."
"We realize that our church’s discriminatory policies tarnish the witness of the Church to the world, and we are complicity. We value our covenant relationships and ask everyone to hold the divided community of the United Methodist Church in prayer."
Order Online: Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends
The United Methodist Church holds that homosexual practice is incompatible with Christian teaching. The denomination affirmed its stance at its latest legislative meeting in 2008 despite calls by some to change the body’s constitution.
In 2009, UMC’s top court also ruled that clergy, active and retired, cannot perform same-sex marriages or civil unions. The ruling came after more than 80 retired clergy from northern California said they would conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies on behalf of clergy who cannot perform them.
Bishop Sally Dyck said that simply making a statement in support of same-sex unions did not break any denominational rules. But she indicated that officiating at a gay wedding would be a chargeable offense, according to UMNS.
Under the 2008 Book of Discipline, same-sex unions are not to be conducted by United Methodist ministers or in its churches. Clergy who are convicted of officiating a homosexual union would face revocation of conference membership or clergy credentials.
The voluntary statement was open to any United Methodist persons in the Minnesota Conference who conducts Christian marriages, and was not endorsed by the denomination's General Conference.
These are not Christians, they just like to say they are for. Bunch of damn atheists. Twisting the Scriptures like that, why not join the pathetic unitarians and be done with it?
These are not Christians, they just like to say they are. Bunch of damn atheists. Twisting the Scriptures like that, why not join the pathetic unitarians and be done with it?
What is it that the Methodist church follows now that it is now know to definitely not be the Bible?
Unbelievable. Did they ever read their New Testament? Paul was especially clear on the subject.
I'm getting the point where if they want to call themselves married, they dang well better have the responsibilities of marriage...like paying extra income tax...like having to be responsible for each others bills...like having messy, and ugly divorces where one of the guys is going have to probably pay alimony and split everything up equally....
male and females are on this world to procreate....its biology and its biblical.....male on male is nothing more than easy perversion....not that there's anything wrong with that :).... but its just not MARRIAGE......
As the others are saying, the United Methodist Church is not a Christian church. They left the teachings of Christ behind about 20 years ago.
.....We joyfully affirm that we will offer the grace of the Church’s blessing...
Sorry. The Church cannot bless what God does not bless.
They don’t break away from the church because they hope to steal the church buildings the way the episcopal church became apostate and took the property from Anglicans ... In one case the TEC sold a church to the Muslims at a steep discount
Any Methodist who believes in the Bible will be moving on to another Church, instead of the United Methodist Church of Sodom.
Whenever I post with any fellow FReeper Christians... HE is with us.
Matthew 18 King James version
20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.
United Clergy...of the Devil!
After a few years the message got a bit radical and Notice the hymnals were changes.
I looked at and read National Council of Churches
That was my last day in that Church.
Another magic marker denomination, like the ELCA. Just bring your magic marker to church along with your Bible and cross out the verses you don’t like. Simple!
You guys are missing a great opportunity.
“We joyfully affirm that we will offer the grace of the Church’s blessing to any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage,”
Now I can finally marry my sister.
Or my goat. I guess it is how you define couple.
“Bishop Sally Dyck said that simply making a statement in support of same-sex unions did not break any denominational rules. But she indicated that officiating at a gay wedding would be a chargeable offense, according to UMNS.”
Let’s check back in another 10 years or so. And Sally Dyck is the best name for a female Bishop EVER.
Freegards
I grew up a United Methodist. Quit going over 20 years ago. I swear Satan took it over before then. One of the reasons I still don’t attend church to this day.
I fear all the major religions are going to the dark side and don’t wish to be a part of them.
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More evil insanity from "Christians". Sigh.
How can these churches legally wed them if the state says it’s not valid?
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