UMC's first openly gay bishop

[Meowzltov]

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionand...on-first-openly-gay-bishop-stirs-talk-schism/

"The United Methodist Church has elected its first openly gay bishop. Karen Oliveto, a married lesbian "

How can this have happened, given the ban on the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals??? And do you think the denomination will split over this?

 

[OneChristianLight]

As a conservative Christian and Methodist, I don't see anything wrong with allowing a gay person to preach the word of God, but only so long as he or she is celibate. The evidence seems pretty clear that people are born with homosexual inclinations, which in and of itself isn't sinful – it only becomes a sin when those desires are acted out in sexually immoral relationships.

If someone is gay and wants to serve God by preaching his word, but also remains aware that he can't act out his orientation because it's sinful, who are we to judge?

The article that you linked didn't say if the new bishop is celibate or actively engages in sinful lesbian conduct.

 

[Dave-W]

I don't see anything wrong with allowing a gay person to preach the word of God, but only so long as he or she is celibate. T

"Oliveto is married to Robin Ridenour, who is a deaconess in California-Nevada Conference"
http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/western-jurisdiction-elects-openly-gay-united-methodist-bishop

 

[Meowzltov]

The article that you linked didn't say if the new bishop is celibate or actively engages in sinful lesbian conduct.

Karen Oliveto, a married lesbian
United Methodist Church Election of First Openly Gay Bishop Stirs Talk of Schism

 

[seekingsolace]

It's sad that in the World we live in, this isn't even a surprise anymore.

Another falls...

 

[Rhamiel]

my mom is Methodist, a lot of people in her church are rather concerned about this

there seems to be a very real and serious divide among the Methodists on this issue

 

[OneChristianLight]

Karen Oliveto, a married lesbian
United Methodist Church Election of First Openly Gay Bishop Stirs Talk of Schism

Well, that's no different than the UMC electing a bishop who openly patronizes prostitutes. Someone in such a position should not be committing sexual immorality with no conscience.

 

[AlexLL]

Very concerning....

 

[Meowzltov]

It's interesting that the Methodists in CF tend to be more conservative than out in the real world.

 

[Maid Marie]

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionand...on-first-openly-gay-bishop-stirs-talk-schism/

"The United Methodist Church has elected its first openly gay bishop. Karen Oliveto, a married lesbian "

How can this have happened, given the ban on the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals??? And do you think the denomination will split over this?

I've been wondering this, too.

 

[food4thought]

It is very troublesome to me, perhaps enough for me to leave the denomination should it go uncorrected.

 

[Meowzltov]

It is very troublesome to me, perhaps enough for me to leave the denomination should it go uncorrected.

The Episcopal Church split over this. I would imagine there very well might be a split in the Methodist Churches as well. Hang in there for a while and see what happens. I'm sure you aren't the only person disturbed by this.

 

[food4thought]

The Episcopal Church split over this. I would imagine there very well might be a split in the Methodist Churches as well. Hang in there for a while and see what happens. I'm sure you aren't the only person disturbed by this.

Hi Open Heart. My dilemma is that I live in Michigan, and our conference is pretty far to the left, so any split wouldn't benefit me all that much. If the UMC is unwilling to correct this, then I will have to reconsider my membership. I am already disturbed by the ordination of women as senior pastors, the sacramental view of communion, and infant baptism (when conversion occurs, those who have been baptized as a child are not encouraged to be baptized again, and I believe infant baptism holds no spiritual value for the child)... so this isn't the only issue I am wrestling with regarding the UMC, but it might be the (very large) straw that broke this camel's back.

 

[Meowzltov]

Hi Open Heart. My dilemma is that I live in Michigan, and our conference is pretty far to the left, so any split wouldn't benefit me all that much. If the UMC is unwilling to correct this, then I will have to reconsider my membership. I am already disturbed by the ordination of women as senior pastors, the sacramental view of communion, and infant baptism (when conversion occurs, those who have been baptized as a child are not encouraged to be baptized again, and I believe infant baptism holds no spiritual value for the child)... so this isn't the only issue I am wrestling with regarding the UMC, but it might be the (very large) straw that broke this camel's back.

Perhaps the Nazarenes in here might present their views to you. You may match them better.

 

[circuitrider]

It's interesting that the Methodists in CF tend to be more conservative than out in the real world.

That is largely because CF is more conservative than the rest of the world.

The reason the Bishop could be elected is that, by the Discipline of the Church, jurisdictions have the authority to elect their own Bishops. As far as I can tell, no one has the authority to overrule the decision of a jurisdiction on the election of their own Bishops. But the Judicial Counsel will be discussing the issue shortly.

I personally support opening up the UMC to all people including people who are LGBTQ. I've heard good things about the Bishop and her former ministry at her previous pastorate.

 

[Anto9us]

I am glad to see a hopeful, positive response to this, circuitrider.

I already went through this years ago during a brief period as an Episcopalian-- nasty, very bad.

I am back in my hometown after a year, hope to go back to a UMC where I used to sing in the choir.

Hope it won't be torn up over this.

 

[Kersh]

Karen Oliveto, a married lesbian
United Methodist Church Election of First Openly Gay Bishop Stirs Talk of Schism

The first bolded statement probably settles the question. The second, not so much.

After just returning from camp meeting and having heard from several UMs, FMs, and Wesleyans, I wonder if there will be a split or if there will be an exodus of some from the UMC to the Free Methodist Church, the Wesleyan Church, and/or the Church of the Nazarene. Having my roots in the UMC, I really hope that conservatives in the church stick around and try to return the denomination in a healthier direction, but I am not optimistic about that. I will be keeping the UMC in my prayers.

 

[Anto9us]

I wish I can be as supportive as circuitrider and also have the same hope as Kersh about this...

It might be that I can have something to contribute to inevitable Sunday School discussions on this that will be coming, as I didn't go today, but plan to next Sunday; I mean contribute experience of what it was like during my period in a VERY conservative Episcopal church when this happenned years ago

Mainly I just want to SING

 

[hedrick]

That is largely because CF is more conservative than the rest of the world.

The reason the Bishop could be elected is that, by the Discipline of the Church, jurisdictions have the authority to elect their own Bishops. As far as I can tell, no one has the authority to overrule the decision of a jurisdiction on the election of their own Bishops. But the Judicial Counsel will be discussing the issue shortly.

I personally support opening up the UMC to all people including people who are LGBTQ. I've heard good things about the Bishop and her former ministry at her previous pastorate.

I've looked at provisions of the Discipline. It appears to me that the situation is as it was in the PCUSA before recent changes. While it may not be possible to reverse the election, it should be possible to lodge a disciplinary case against the bishop for conduct contrary to the Discipline. That would initially be handled within the Jurisdiction, but it appears to me that it could be appealed to the GC judicial council. The current appeal to them is for a declaratory judgement, which doesn't seem to directly affect the status of the Bishop.

 

[Anto9us]

So it all just degenerates into "Who can win in court, who gets the building, who keeps the silverware?"

THAT would be sad.

So similar things happenned, Hedrick, regarding PCUSA and PCA?

And I was in Episcopal Church when similar things happenned...

And now UMC...

Will it ever be anything besides:
"THOSE LIBERAL CHRISTIANS
JUST DON'T BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE?"

We shall see.