Methodist Bishops: Homosexuality No Obstacle to Church Membership

by Fred Jackson and Jody Brown
November 7, 2005

(AgapePress) - - The leadership of the United Methodist Church has declared that the sin of homosexuality is not to be a barrier to membership in its churches.

The denomination's bishops issued the statement late last week, just two days after the UMC's highest court supported a pastor's refusal to allow an unrepentant homosexual man to join. In their statement -- approved by a unanimous vote -- the Council of Bishops says "while pastors have the responsibility to discern readiness for membership, homosexuality is not a barrier."

They went on to say that "we implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian or gay members and friends."

While not condemning the court's decision on upholding the right of pastors to exclude certain people from membership, the bishops seemed to indicate that the ruling was contrary to what the denomination's constitution has to say about inclusiveness. An account of the bishops' decision by the United Methodist News Service makes no mention of whether there was a discussion in their meeting about what the Bible says about homosexuality.

UMNS quotes UMC Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of Texas who, sensing unity among the leadership during its deliberations, stated: "I don't think it's going too far to say the council is of one mind that gay and lesbian people can be members of the United Methodist Church."

The bishops' statement was released from Lake Junaluska, a Methodist retreat center located in North Carolina, where the Council of Bishops was conducting its week-long fall meeting. Lake Junaluska came under fire this summer when it was announced the center would host a Labor Day weekend gathering put on by major pro-homosexual caucus groups within Methodism.

The United Methodist Book of Discipline affirms homosexuals as people "of sacred worth" -- but also holds the practice of homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teaching.