05/01/2004: "First word from Methodists on homosexuality"

Persistence with balky technology will occasionally pay off, so I've been able to access the United Methodist Web site, which has the first report on action on homosexuality. Pay close attention to the numbers:

The United Methodist General Conference has directed its highest judicial body to re-examine the March acquittal of an openly lesbian pastor, the Rev. Karen Dammann, and determine if a United Methodist bishop can legally appoint a self-avowed practicing homosexual.

On April 29, the Judicial Council ruled that the practice of homosexuality is a chargeable offense for clergy. By a 6-3 margin, the denomination�s supreme court said that the statement "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching," contained in Paragraph 304.3 of the 2000 Book of Discipline, is indeed a declaration of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church. That statement is "unambiguous," the ruling said.

Immediately after the April 29 ruling was read May 1, on the floor of General Conference, the Rev. Maxie Dunnam of the Kentucky delegation moved that the Judicial Council determine what the "meaning, application and effect" of the decision would be on the outcome of the Dammann trial. The clergy member of the Pacific-Northwest Annual (regional) Conference was found innocent of the charge of engaging in "practices incompatible with Christian teaching" as listed in Paragraph 2702.1(b).

The Rev. Frank Dorsey of the Kansas East delegation rose to protest Dunnam�s motion, saying that it was "striking at our heart with a knife to...destroy our church." He said he could not trust the Judicial Council with the ability to make a fair ruling on this important issue. [Ed. note: what Dorsey means is he can't trust the Judicial Council to rule the way he wants them to.]

The General Conference voted 551-345 to approve Dunnam�s motion.

Paragraph 304.3 of the Discipline reads: "While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. Since the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church."

The phrase "practices incompatible with Christian teaching" is included in Paragraph 2702.1(b) under the heading "Chargeable Offenses" for United Methodist clergy. That paragraph was approved at the 1980 General Conference, four years before the language in Paragraph 304.3 was approved.

On the theory of "what's done is done," I'd have expected the Conference to reject Dunnam's motion. The vote in favor�and especially the margin of the vote�suggests that this may be the most conservative General Conference in a generation. The real test will be when it comes time to vote on actual changes in the Discipline.