“But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV)
Come now, we’re the good ones
We members of the GMC left the heresy and immorality of the UMC. The UMC had been headed down a destructive path for over a hundred years at least. There was a consensus from the bishops to pursue “unity” above all else. So powerful was this call to “unity” that the denying of Jesus’ divinity was allowed to persist. And that was happening in the early 1900’s.
But we know the UMC is bad and has been for sometime, that’s why we left. We left because we are the good ones with the right theology. Our theology is so good in fact, that we won’t even mention certain topics in our Doctrines and Discipline. Our theology is so on point that we don’t even have to talk about elevated cultural topics, and we would really rather people not talk about it.
Of course, we are happy to talk about the “Wesleyan Way of Salvation”, which the name is highly problematic, Wesley doesn’t save anyone, but the material is great. We are happy to talk about those distinctions which Methodists have become fixated on even after Wesley wrote that nothing should distinguish us from Orthodox Christianity (The Character of a Methodist). We are more than happy to talk about inclusivity, there’s a whole paragraph on it.
What we cannot talk about is homosexuality. There, I said it. Now, let us have a much needed conversation.
But it is in our Doctrines and Discipline!
❡202.7 “We believe that human sexuality is a gift of God that is to be affirmed as it is exercised within the legal and spiritual covenant of a loving and monogamous marriage between one man and one woman (Exodus 20:14, Matthew 19:3-9, Ephesians 5:22-33).”
I have no issues with this paragraph and fully agree. Let me take the opportunity to say though, “human sexuality is a gift of God” has always struck me as a creepy statement. You remember that trend, not too long ago, where the pastors would talk about their “smoking hot wife”? Weird.
My issue is what is not said. I get it, this paragraph is a positive statement of marriage. The next paragraph, however, points out issues of sexuality.
❡202.8 “We are saddened by all expressions of sexual behavior, including pornography, polygamy, and promiscuity, that do not recognize the sacred worth of each individual or that seek to exploit, abuse, objectify, or degrade others, or that represent less than God’s intentional design for His children. While affirming a scriptural view of sexuality and gender, we welcome all to experience the redemptive grace of Jesus and are committed to being a safe place of refuge, hospitality, and healing for any who may have experienced brokenness in their sexual lives (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:24, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20).”
This is not a bad statement, it just needs some extra specifics. Polygamy is mentioned and these days you also need to mention polyamory. Polyamory is the new polygamy, and it’s not just one man and multiple wives anymore. It also needs to mention homosexuality, which is a major issue in our culture that needs to be specifically addressed.
To be completely honest and fair, which I truly aim to be, homosexuality is sort of mentioned. At the end of the paragraph are scriptures which give us a Biblical backing for the statement.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (ESV), “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Does this mean the problem is solved? No, but it’s not as bad as it could be.
Selling the GMC
I’ve been a pastor in the UMC, then GMC, since 2013. I know, not that long for some, but long enough to have seen some things. I remember General Conference 2016 and the shenanigans that were pulled there. I remember the hope of the Special General Conference 2019 and the shenanigans again that were pulled there. I remember wondering what would happen. I remember praying fervently for God’s direction as I could not be in a church, much less a pastor, where the leadership was preaching heresy and encouraging people to sin.
Plans were made for General Conference 2020 and it seemed hopeful to give us a solution to the rising chaos. Yet, more chaos ensued as GC2020 had to be postponed, and postponed again, and postponed again until 2024.
What was clear to me before was all the more evident, the leadership in the UMC was going down a path I could not follow, and they were a bunch of cowards. Their cowardice comes from a lack of boldness provided by the Holy Spirit, it’s clear they do not possess the Holy Spirit because they teach doctrine that is contrary to Scripture. Because of this, they have no boldness to be upfront with their agenda. But now I’m beginning to stray towards another topic. I’m out of the UMC so I’ll leave them alone for the moment.
What explains the cowardice of the GMC? That’s the question at hand. This recent split of the UMC spearheaded around one main topic, homosexuality. Yes, there are more serious faults that have been eroding the church for some time. I’m understanding more about those faults as I’m reading The Rise of Theological Liberalism and The Decline of American Methodism by James V. Heidinger II. Homosexuality hasn’t always been the issue but it arose from more serious issues such as denying the divinity of Jesus and the sufficiency of Scripture. However, homosexuality was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
One would think, or at least I would, the GMC would want to make some statement about homosexuality. Instead, what they did was play nice so the UMC wouldn’t think they were the baddies. I heard from leadership in the GMC many times that “homosexuality isn’t mentioned once in our Transitional Book of Doctrines and Disciplines.” To which my thought was always, “Well, it should be.”
The GMC ducked and dodged and hid rather than squaring off for the fight that was needed. “We’re not so bad. We just want everyone to follow the same rules.” This was the spirit in which they attempted to lead. I can’t tell you how many times I heard the phrase, “We need to bless and send.” Bless? You are going to bless a church that is blatantly going against Scripture?
Some people, when cornered with this question would respond with honesty, they were just trying to be nice and come to an amicable separation. Well, I have a question. How did that work out for you?
Not peace, but a sword – Matthew 10:34 (ESV)
Let me be clear about where I stand. I don’t care about being nice to people who are perverting the Gospel. That’s not because I have a bad attitude, though sometimes I do, but because religious hypocrisy makes me want to start flipping tables.
Article XIII – Of the Church
“The visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.”
God’s Church, the body of Christ, is a place where the pure Word of God is preached. What does that mean for places where the pure Word of God is not preached? They may have nice stained glass windows and “church” in their name, but according to the doctrine of the GMC, as well as the UMC for added bonus, they are not a church.
It honestly pains me to say there are places that think they are a church but are not. I don’t want that to be the case, but it is. I’m tired of tip-toeing through the facts for fear of hurting someone’s feelings. It would probably be helpful if some feelings were hurt, maybe they would wake up.
We are not here to be concerned with offending the world. We are promised the world will hate us. We are promised persecution. Why was the GMC concerned with what an apostate church thinks? Why are we concerned now with how we will be perceived if the evils of homosexuality is mentioned in our Doctrines and Discipline?
I know it is not preferred to single out homosexuality, and I completely understand. One of my hesitations is people may point fingers elsewhere and not take the plank out of their own eye. However, society has raised this issue to the point that something has to be said. To say nothing is to acquiesce.
Silence is acceptance
We have an opportunity to stand firmly on truth and grace. The world is searching for an answer and someone to lead. As the church is silent the cost of speaking up becomes greater. Eric Metaxas illustrated this concept well in regards to Bonhoeffer. The church wouldn’t speak up against the atrocities of the government so others were afraid to speak up. I’m not making comparisons, only illustrating the dangers of silence.
For leaders of the GMC to brag about not specifically mentioning homosexuality is worrisome. Are they afraid of what people will think? I’m pretty sure Jesus said something about that. Are they trying to disguise their actual opinion to attract people? What you attract people with is what they will expect. Do they really think it is not a big problem, like at least one of the GMC bishops does? If it is not a matter of sin and heresy then we really are bigots.
I’ve heard some say softening the language was strategic for the disaffiliation to have a better chance. I don’t agree with that strategy, it’s cowardly. Furthermore, disaffiliation is done, either churches have disaffiliated or Conferences didn’t take the bait and are being bullies. So can we stop with the soft approach now? Is there a deadline for toughening back up? My fear is that this is leading us on a path right back to where we were.
The best case scenario is homosexuality not being mentioned was an oversight that will soon be remedied. Unfortunately, as mentioned, everyone is aware of its absence.
My hope is that this issue is residue from the UMC. We are all products of our culture, for better and for worse. Many in the GMC are still living with fear of speaking up and speaking out. I know change takes time, and changing a denomination is much more than changing names. I’m willing to work for that change.
What I would like to see
If you hadn’t already sorted it out, I’m not well versed in technical writing, and I’m okay with that. This would not be the paragraph that would go in our TBODD, but certainly with this message and heart.
The practice of homosexuality is a sin, Scripture is clear and consistent on this issue. Scripture is also clear and consistent that God is loving and gracious to those who will come to Him with humble hearts. As with all sin, if we confess our sin before God then He will be faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9). We feel it important to make a statement specifically on this topic because society has elevated this issue.
Something along those lines.
Here I stand
I don’t know what will come of this. My aim is to stir the needed conversations to keep the GMC on the road they promised they were on. I like the hope of the GMC, and now is the time to steer her in the right direction.
This issue has been on my heart for sometime, which generally means God is leading me to say something. My words haven’t been the most gentle, they probably never will, but I want you to know they come from a heart of love. Because I love the Church I want to see her do what is right.
May God pour out His grace upon us as we seek to do His will and guide His Church. May we allow Jesus to be the head and be His faithful servants with this task beyond our ability. May we be filled with the Holy Spirit to have wisdom and fire we so desperately need.
Rev. Geoff Lightsey
WORD UP 