OMG: Even the Presbyterians

on May 16, 2011 by Walt Dilg

OMG: Even the Presbyterians!

    So now the Presbyterians have decided to ordain gays.  They add their denominational name (though local Southern Californian Presbyterians are as conservative as they come) to the list of churches that are open to ordaining qualified gay candidates to the ministry (United Church of Christ, Episcopalian, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).  What about us Methodists? It seems our split is about 60-40 +/- on this issue when it comes before our quadrennial conference that sets these types of rules for the church.  I am told by a bishop that this percentage is affected by the voting power of our brothers and sisters in Africa and Asia, not those in America.  If it were an America only vote, it would be much closer if not approved to ordain gays and lesbians, as long as they were qualified in the vocational areas of ministry performance.)

    This cultural component is a fascinating sidebar - our denominational identity is being shaped no longer by the English and American roots of our Methodist movement, but by the attitudinal sensitivities of those we have successfully welcomed into the faith in other nationalities and social settings, who hold different cultural values.  When you are a multi-cultural, heterogeneous global church, this is what happens... you take into account diverse cultures and social values beyond your own.  Interestingly, this might be viewed as the proper price paid for a democratic church polity affected by successful evangelism in different cultures – a good, but hard truth for both first and third world people with varied cultural particularities.  

    Are we Methodists clutching at some sacred truth and glorifying God in our position by not ordaining gays, or are we way behind the curve of justice and grace, and very slow to catch up to newly perceived revelation that God works through all of us, as varied as we might be?  I for one vote for throwing open the doors rather than circling the wagons.  Often times it is said that the church is a conservative, traditional institution.  Instead of being the headlights of change, it is typically the taillights.  We Methodists might qualify for that description on this issue nationally, but in our regional area, we have been more on the forefront for change with this issue, consistently pushing the topic into the attention of the national church.   We'll see what happens now that another mainline denomination has added their name to the support column.  It just might be the needed additional weight to tilt our denomination toward that position as well.  We'll see.