Dear Friends,
The General Conference of the United Methodist Church has begun. During this first week, delegates from around the world are meeting in legislative committees before proposed changes to the Book of Discipline (the UMC’s book of church law) are considered by the entire body beginning on Monday, May 29th. Among these delegates are the sixteen delegates (eight clergy and eight laypeople) elected by the South Carolina Conference to represent us at General Conference.
In my last Tidings, I wrote about the proposed regionalization legislation that is before General Conference. If you have not read this, please go back and read my last Tidings at www.centralmethodist.net/tft
In this Tidings, I will address the proposed legislation regarding the Book of Discipline’s language related to human sexuality. To summarize, the current Book of Discipline states that “self-professed, practicing homosexuals” are not eligible to be ordained in the United Methodist Church. It also states that clergy are not permitted to perform weddings for same-sex persons and that same-sex weddings cannot take place in United Methodist churches. There are proposals to remove this language altogether, leaving it to individual annual conferences to determine who is eligible for ordination and to individual congregations to decide what is allowed in their worship spaces. Annual conferences are already largely autonomous in determining who they will ordain. If regionalization legislation passes, this autonomy will likely be strengthened. There is already language in the Book of Discipline stating that the decision to officiate a wedding is at the discretion of the individual clergyperson.
When considering ordination, it is helpful to understand the stringent process through which one goes to be approved for ordination in the UMC. To be ordained, a person must have his or her call affirmed by his or her local church’s Staff Parish Relations Committee, the local church’s Charge Conference, and the District Committee on Ordained Ministry. Incidentally, Rev. Ann Kovan is a member of the Florence District Committee on Ordained Ministry. A candidate must also earn a Master of Divinity degree (at minimum a three-year degree) at an approved seminary. After seminary, a candidate enters a strenuous two-year process under the supervision of the conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry before being eligible for ordination. Incidentally, Rev. Meg Jiunnies and I are both members of the South Carolina Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry. Anyone approved for ordination by the Board of Ordained Ministry must also be approved by a vote of all the conference’s clergy members. The process involves layers of approval and accountability in addition to such things as a psychological assessment, background checks, and extensive written work on theology and the practice of ministry. In other words, ordination in the UMC is not treated lightly and is only conferred on those truly called and dedicated to the work of an ordained minister.
In my next Tidings, I will reflect on the implications of potential legislation for local churches. For now, suffice it to say your clergy team is committed to ensuring that whatever is best for Central is what happens at Central. There is still a great deal that is uncertain, and I will be updating you as General Conference unfolds. In the meantime, let us pray for the General Conference delegates and our denominational leaders. Let us also focus on the mission and ministry God has placed before us and to which God has called us. And as always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with your questions and concerns.
Yours in Christ,
Thomas