Search Results for: lgbt

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Personal and Ideological Inroads to full LGBT Inclusion in the United Methodist Church now that General Conference 2016 is here

I support the full inclusion of LGBT persons in the United Methodist Church. I got to this place through the progression of both my understanding and my faith. My understanding of LGBT inclusion has come from several realizations both ideological and personal. My Ideological Inroads to LGBT Inclusion Scripture is not the ultimate authority I love the Bible, so much so that I take it at its word. And the … Continue reading Personal and Ideological Inroads to full LGBT Inclusion in the United Methodist Church now that General Conference 2016 is here

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The United Methodist Church, Shame and LGBT Suicide

My Wake-Up Call Suicide. This is the deep, dark, truthful mirror the LGBT community is holding up to the church. LGBT young adults who are rejected by their families are 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their LGBT counterparts who are accepted (see CDC). The church is the family of God. This is the crux of the issue. It’s time for the church … Continue reading The United Methodist Church, Shame and LGBT Suicide

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My Favorite Moment at General Conference 2020/2024

A LOT happened at General Conference. I was there for much of the second week, even for most of the headlining moments. But in the midst of all the hoopla was a petition that touched me on so many levels. This petition, (Petition number 21027) was about encouraging Annual Conferences to provide ways for disaffiliated, former United Methodists to return to the denomination. On one … Continue reading My Favorite Moment at General Conference 2020/2024

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Wednesday Night Update from General Conference 2020/2024

Dear Church, I am writing to you from Charlotte, NC on a historic day in the United Methodist Church. Through the simplest of motions, the General Conference removed language from our Book of Discipline that restricts LGBTQ+ participation in the church. By removing the restricting language, the General Conference frees its members, clergy, congregations and conferences to welcome, marry, ordain and employ LGBTQ+ people. The … Continue reading Wednesday Night Update from General Conference 2020/2024

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Why I’m Staying in the Church

There are many articles floating around these days detailing reasons why clergy are leaving the church. In an online discussion of one of them I asked “Are there any studies about why people stay?” Seeing none, I offer my own current perspective. This is not to rebut those who are leaving, though I will probably address similar ideas. Ministry is complex and there are many … Continue reading Why I’m Staying in the Church

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This Week in Ministry

This Week in Ministry was very incarnational. Sunday (12/15) Baptized a 6-week old. Children’s Pageant #1 was classic, funny and delightful. O was excellent as Joseph. Children’s Pageant #2 was more contemporary and equally delightful. O was excellent as a shepherd. A was excellent as one of the narrating actresses. Also observed a town-acquaintance gracefully help is father enjoy the pageant. Monday Last real office … Continue reading This Week in Ministry

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The “I” Has It

A good pastor or public theologian must be ‘anthropologically curious’. Being curious about people ought to be a natural gift of any minister. And there are two main skills that go with being ‘anthropologically curious’: 1) Being able to ask good questions and 2) listening without prejudice. Unless danger is sensed, people will most often tell you the truth: either The Truth (which is rare), … Continue reading The “I” Has It

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Praying for GC 2019 Pt 3

Dear Church, Sorry this is a day late. A month from today, the United Methodist Church will be almost half-way through General Conference 2019, the process whereby we will determine our church’s position on matters of human sexuality. That position will be consequential. In my research to understand the deep ramifications of General Conference 2019, I came across this article about the various petitions that … Continue reading Praying for GC 2019 Pt 3

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Immeasurable Loss

Turn in Your Pre-Conference Journal to page… Is there a statistic anywhere of LGBTQ+ clergy who have fled the UMC for other denominations or other fields of service? I suspect not. I further suspect that there is no accounting for the LGBTQ+ laity we have lost to other denominations as a result of the ongoing consternation over including LGBTQ+ people in the denomination. I ask … Continue reading Immeasurable Loss

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Council of St. Louis?

or What the Council of Jerusalem can tell us about General Conference 2019. Introduction After Easter, I’ve been exploring Acts with my congregation. The concept was ‘let’s see what people did with the news that Jesus rose from the dead’. The second understanding was that Pentecost gave the Holy Spirit-the fiery courage to take the gospel to all the world, but the resurrection of Jesus … Continue reading Council of St. Louis?

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