Holston delegates struggle with homosexuality issues in Pittsburgh
By Annette Bender
PITTSBURGH – Delegates cried. They hugged. People on opposite sides of the homosexuality issue sought each other out to hold hands or murmur peace.
On May 7, the last day of General Conference 2004, representatives of the United Methodist Church voted to commit themselves to the unity of the church. They sang “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,” then overwhelmingly agreed to “remain in covenant with one another, even in the midst of disagreement.”
The moment was not lost on Holston delegates, who, after struggling with disagreement within their own group during the April 27-May 7 meeting, joined with other Methodists from all over the world.
“We're just like a giant family,” said Jean Henderson of Cleveland, Tenn., after embracing a stream of her co-delegates. “Even in our own families, our children don't see things the same way.”
“All of us love the church and grieve when the church is hurting,” said the Rev. Carol Wilson of Johnson City, Tenn. “This gave us the chance to experience the joy and hurt together – and experience the grace.”
“This is history in the church,” said the Rev. Dennie Humphreys of Morristown, Tenn., watching as the immense convention floor – which had seemed so official before – became the site of an emotional family reunion.
But privately, delegates who frequently declined to speak on record expressed concerns.
“When we all go back to our annual conferences and the Pacific Northwest Conference doesn't remove Dammann,” said one Holston delegate who asked to remain anonymous, “it will start all over again.”
The delegate referred to a May 4 Judicial Council ruling that it had no authority to review the outcome of the Karen Dammann trial. Dammann, a Seattlearea clergywoman, was found not guilty in March of engaging in “practices incompatible with Christian teaching,” even though the trial jury found she openly admitted to being a practicing homosexual.
However, in other General Conference action, delegates solidly reaffirmed the denomination's positions on homosexuality, including prohibition against the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals. By 2-1 margins, delegates defeated attempts to adjust Book of Discipline language that deals with equal rights regardless of sexual orientation. (For more details, see page 4, “Not just sexuality: Delegates also address taco boycott and youth outreach.”)
Delegates who voted against pro-homosexual legislation seemed to have “won” after most sexualityrelated decisions were settled May 4. But tensions continued to run high on the conference floor as opposing opinions became more evident and rumors of a proposal to split the church circulated May 5-6.
“It's easy for us of heterosexual privilege to think things are done civilly, with great attention to parliamentary procedure,” said Ginny West Case of Knoxville, Tenn., reflecting on defeated attempts to change the Discipline in favor of homosexuality. “I feel God called me to this time and place to speak the truth. For me, it's not about issues – I see the faces. There is room in Christ's church for all of us.”
“I'm thankful that we retained our present language,” said the Rev. Charles Lippse of Chattanooga, Tenn. “It was done in a manner without polemics. It was done by referring to paragraphs in the Discipline rather than referring to human lifestyles.”
Until Holston delegates crossed the Pennsylvania state line in late April, there was little indication of division within the delegation on sexuality issues. At delegation meetings in Holston, the most vocal representatives supported the Book of Discipline's statement that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Privately, one delegate later spoke of an “atmosphere of fear” that silenced other opinions. “We're afraid of being labeled and having our ministries defined by that label,” the delegate said.
In Pittsburgh, demonstrations by pro-gay groups seemed to pit delegates against each other, forcing them to take one side or the other. Most delegates chose not to stand in support of gay-advocacy demonstrations but later responded to the experience.
“I don't broadcast my views, but I'm basically a loving person and believe the church should be inclusive,” said Mary Frances Tucker of Knoxville, Tenn. “When we exclude people, we're not being inclusive. These people are hurting. You can see it in their eyes. And that hurts me.”
“I've seen it before; it wasn't a surprise,” Alan Groseclose of Pulaski, Va., said after watching a peaceful demonstration of the advocacy group Soulforce on the conference floor. Commenting on the General Conference's affirmation of the “homosexuality is incompatible” stance, Groseclose said, “It is reflective of the people in Holston Conference, of the letters that we've received from churches.”
Tensions escalated as a proposal to dissolve the United Methodist Church into two separate denominations was floated among delegates, attracting widespread media attention. Conservative church leaders, the Rev. William Hinson and the Rev. James Heidinger, talked openly to newspapers about “irreconciliable differences.”
The Rev. Eddie Fox, a Holston delegate who on May 4 had presented a report opposing changes to make the Discipline more accepting of homosexuality, was also quoted widely, denying that he supported a church split.
“I told the reporters that I have not left the church and the church has not left me,” Fox later told The Call. “I'm an eighth-generation Methodist, and I love this church.”
Fox also said that he stood behind his presentation of the minority report from the Board of Church Society legislative committee. On May 4, Fox spoke against adding a sentence to the Discipline indicating that “Christians disagree” on the incompatibility of homosexuality with Christian teaching.
“Out of faithfulness to this church, it was very important that this church give a clear statement, without ambiguity, that we hold to Biblical teachings,” he said.
When the Rev. John Schol of Eastern Pennsylvania introduced the church unity resolution on May 7 – a response to reports that the church was ready to split – Fox said he joined other delegates in supporting it. The proposed resolution to divide the church into two denominations never came to the conference floor.
The unity resolution reads, “As United Methodists, we remain in covenant with one another, even in the midst of disagreement, and affirm our commitment to work together for our common mission of making disciples throughout the world.”
Like other Holston delegates who on the last day of General Conference seemed to want to downplay the week's earlier grievances, Fox emphasized the importance of church unity.
“We voted for the continued process of our conferencing together … and it was accepted in that spirit from the people,” he said. “We covenanted together, and now we need to live in that covenant.”
top |
Bishop's Perspective
Cover Stories:
Delegates Struggle
and
Pension Plan
Inside:
GC Highlights
Bone Tired
Reading List
More:
C-Mail
National & World News
Back to The Call Home Page
|
|
