Methodist Seminarians Need Repentance

The debate among United Methodists regarding the compatibility of homosexuality with the Christian life is increasing in potency as General Conference 2012 draws ever closer. One recent voice in the debate is that of S. Vance Goodman, a fourth-year student at Perkins School of Theology. Ms. Goodman, a former candidate for ordained ministry, recently wrote a letter to the United Methodist Church, which was published Oct. 21 in the United Methodist Reporter under the title, “A tired seminarian writes to the UMC.” 

After an affirmation of her denominational loyalty and a description of her qualifications for ordained ministry, Ms. Goodman wrote, “The Book of Discipline affirms that I am a person of sacred worth, but my sacred worth is not enough to allow me to be in a position of leadership for the church. . . . I am gay, and that one fact keeps me from the ministry to which I feel led.” Despite her troubling experience with ministerial candidacy, Ms. Goodman takes comfort in the words of a former district superintendent, “Remember that the church doesn’t call you. . . . God calls you and ordains you.”