Biblical Obedience

A growing number of United Methodist clergy are conducting same gender unions in violation of the Church’s law. (¶2702.1b) They are doing so out of love for those they are uniting. They also see the Church’s prohibitions contradicting Wesleyan hospitality in our Discipline. “Inclusiveness means openness, acceptance, and support that enable all persons to participate in the life of the Church, the community, and the world; therefore, inclusiveness denies every semblance of discrimination. The services of worship of every local church of The United Methodist Church shall be open to all persons.” (¶140) In addition, some clergy cannot comply with what they see as discriminatory prohibitions and are therefore seeking to restore justice in the Church’s life.

Those who want to terminate the clergy membership of these persons should reflect on the interactions Jesus had with the Pharisees and his neighbors. In his ministry, Jesus violated religious regulations and challenged the biases of his people as he fulfilled the Great Commandment of love (Mt 22:37; Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18) and met basic human needs. (Mt 12:1-14, 22) After Jesus violated Sabbath regulations, the Pharisees “went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him” (Mt 12:14); after Jesus cured a demoniac, they claimed, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, that this fellow [Jesus] casts out the demons.” (Mt 12:24; Mk 3:22; Lk 11:15)