Online Archives

The United Methodist Church
Washington Episcopal Area

Baltimore-Washington Conference
John R. Schol, Bishop

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I am grateful for the more than 200 e-mails I have received voicing concern over the recent Judicial Council decision that allows a pastor to refuse gay and lesbian persons from church membership. The pastor, over many months, was encouraged and instructed to receive the person into membership by the district superintendent and bishop. The Virginia Clergy Session voted by more than 85 percent to place the pastor on leave of absence because the clergy believed the pastor?s actions were inappropriate.

Below is a statement from the Council of Bishops. It was passed by the Council unanimously and articulates our concern and commitment to insure that gay and lesbian people will be welcomed into membership in our congregations. I invite you to share the statement with your congregation this Sunday. There will also be a downloadable copy and a teaching statement on the Web (www.bwcumc.org) that you may print and also have available for your congregation.

I recognize that the church is not of one mind on the issue of homosexuality and that we will have different approaches and commitments for ministry. But I want you to know that the Council of Bishops is of one mind: gay and lesbian people are not to be excluded from church membership.

As pastors and laity, I am calling on you to model the open hospitality of Christ and receive all people, gay and lesbian, poor and wealthy, young and old, sinner and saint, into our congregations. We are a church of grace that helps to move people toward sanctification and perfection. I recognize the latest Judicial Council decision seems to indicate otherwise, but it is your actions that will determine who this church is and not rulings that run counter to the spirit, writings and Discipline of The United Methodist Church.

I am concerned that United Methodism is in danger of becoming as pharisaic as the religious leaders during the time of Jesus were. We are focused on law rather than people, exclusion rather than hospitality, and on doctrine rather than Christ-like application of doctrine. Let grace be our aim with everyone, that all might become disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Council of Bishops will continue to discuss today as it meets in North Carolina about additional steps it will take to address the issue. Please keep the whole church in prayer and especially those who are experiencing the pain of being excluded by the recent Judicial Council decisions.

In Christ,
Your brother and bishop, John

A Pastoral Letter to the People of The United Methodist Church from the Council of Bishops

By grace you have been saved through faith. Ephesians 2:8

Grace to you from Jesus Christ who calls his church to welcome all people into the community of faith as it proclaims the Gospel.

The Judicial Council, our denomination?s highest judicial authority, recently issued a decision regarding a pastor?s refusing a gay man?s request for membership in the church. In the case, this man was invited to join the choir at the United Methodist Church in the community. As he became more active in the choir and the church, he asked to transfer his membership from another denomination to The United Methodist Church. Because he is a practicing homosexual, the pastor refused to receive him into church membership. The Judicial Council upheld the pastor?s refusal of membership.

While pastors have the responsibility to discern readiness for membership, homosexuality is not a barrier. With the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church we affirm:

'that God?s grace is available to all, and we will seek to live together in Christian community. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.'(Para. 161g, 2004 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church)

We also affirm our Wesleyan practice that pastors are accountable to the bishop, superintendent, and the clergy on matters of ministry and membership.

The United Methodist Church is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ with all people. We, the bishops of the Church, uphold and affirm that the General Conference has clearly spoken through the denomination?s Constitution on inclusiveness and justice for all as it relates to church membership:

'The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking the vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection.' (Article IV, Constitution of The United Methodist Church)

We believe the ministry of the local church, under the gbwc_superuserance of the Holy Spirit, is to help people accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We call upon all United Methodist pastors and laity to make every congregation a community of hospitality.

November 2, 2005, Lake Junaluska, N.C.

Read the Teaching Document on the Judicial Council's decision, prepared by leaders and faculty members of Wesley Theological Seminary: http://www.bwcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1791