tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632277302970738748.post3314672494110295674..comments2024-02-01T08:25:47.678-08:00Comments on Now and Not Yet: May Unity in Diversity Be Our WitnesssDavid Livingstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824538078808156089noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632277302970738748.post-86238107253770426182017-03-23T11:24:37.000-07:002017-03-23T11:24:37.000-07:00I have been part of United Methodism since 1968 wh...I have been part of United Methodism since 1968 when as a very traditional EUB member I swallowed a more liberal approach to scripture and preaching. I survived and today identify more with progressive Christian views and process theology but still Wesleyan. I have a daughter who has been a practicing lesbian for nearly 30 years. She and her partner are members of a MCC church and her partner is a Lutheran who "suffered through" as that denomination made the choice to be not only welcoming but ordaining practicing homosexual clergy. Because of my earlier Wesleyan Theological education at St Paul's I think the UMC can "straddle that fence" and maybe refocus our faith toward the teaching of Christ and belief in a God that created in the beginning and built in a component called evolution. I have always preached equality and that "all really means all". My concern has been that the majority of clergy are accepting and in many ways pressuring a more hesitant laity to something they don't believe or understand. At some point I hope to see us make a choice, knowing that the truly Christian at heart will seek and find a home compatible with what seems right to them. GBGM in Lagonave-Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15242356043524145293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632277302970738748.post-3598888522357315532017-03-21T10:18:45.539-07:002017-03-21T10:18:45.539-07:00Thanks for the nice words. I've visited with C...Thanks for the nice words. I've visited with Chris some about his suggestions. Many will disagree, but I think they have some merit. I'm particularly intrigued with the "organic jurisdiction" model that doesn't confine jurisdictions by geography. In today's world that may be possible in a way that it wasn't before. <br /><br />If you've read some of my other stuff you know I have deep concerns about the Wesleyan Covenant Association. Honestly, the single biggest challenge to adopting some form of the Jurisdictional Solution in my mind is simply getting it approved because the WCA has issued a "no compromise" position. Chris is on their board. I'm not sure if he even supports the Jurisdictional Solution now. There are some technical difficulties but I think they could be overcome. Having churches and conferences vote would be difficult, but realistically that vote is coming anyway. If the denomination splits churches will be voting over which way to go. There is no painless or easy solution at this point. David Livingstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824538078808156089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632277302970738748.post-24665059261883504922017-03-20T21:06:04.435-07:002017-03-20T21:06:04.435-07:00Thank you for your reasoned blog. Have you conside...Thank you for your reasoned blog. Have you considered Rev Chris Ritter's Jurisdictional Solution? What are the issues with that implementation in your view? Is the main difficulty having congregations and conferences choose one jurisdiction or another and the tension that vote would cause? Wouldn't that be preferable to complete schism? At least that result would acknowledge some common spiritual connection and humanity, rather than the "we're holy, you're not" implication of a complete separation. I am trying to work through what has happened and the likely outcomes. What is your centrist view on this issue?2TVoltshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11138350348506735295noreply@blogger.com