The news from the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in Fort Worth was not good. The delegates had voted to retain language in the church’s constitutional Book of Discipline describing gay and lesbian people as out of step with Christ. Meanwhile, in my reconciling Methodist Church in Chicago, gay and lesbian people continued to share their love of God and bask in Jesus’ healing grace, undeterred by the bias in Texas.
In Fort Worth delegates used the word “integrity” to describe positions hurtful to Christians different from themselves and obviously inconsistent with Christ’s great commandment to love one another. In Chicago gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender Christians substituted faithful actions for statements about faith, obeyed Jesus and treated each other with love and kindness.
In Fort Worth heterosexual people firmly told homosexuals they are not welcome; in Chicago homosexual believers joyfully worship along with their straight brothers and sisters confident that all serve the same God.
In Fort Worth, the Methodist Church posted a slogan claiming, “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. ” In Chicago gay and lesbian disciples actually practice what the church preaches, opening their hearts, minds and doors to anyone and everyone.
In Fort Worth the church voted down a majority report which at least acknowledged that, “Faithful, thoughtful people who have grappled with this issue deeply disagree with one another; yet all seek a faithful witness,” and substituted minority language retaining statements in the Social Principles that the “United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” Meanwhile, in Chicago, having heard of the church’s actions, believers lifted their voices in praise and exchanged the peace with each other, confident that no human body is authorized to separate them from the love of God.
In Fort Worth delegates stood in their self-righteousness to mouth old clichés about gays and lesbians, with one describing them as “from the devil.” In Chicago, loving brothers and sisters basked in the righteousness of God’s healing grace, rolled up their sleeves and prepared to go on working to bring the message of Jesus and God’s unconditional love to all that need it.
As a straight man, I feel honored to worship in an atmosphere of loving diversity at Broadway United Methodist in Chicago. As for those in Fort Worth who seemed blind to the Spirit of Truth … it’s not mine to judge. Thankfully, we all serve a most forgiving God.
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Thank you for being like Jesus. We were in Fort Worth at the UMC General Conference... standing vigil with Soulforce. It was heartbreaking to hear the final ruling that they would keep the toxic language in the Book of Discipline. How encouraging and heartwarming to know that there are people like you... churches like yours in Chicago that truly live out the principles and teachings of Jesus Christ. Thank you! --Roby & Dotti
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