United Methodist Church Affirms Stance on Marriage and Ordination of Homosexuals: My Response

As many may now know, the United Methodist Church upheld the Book of Discipline’s stance on marriage, and ordaining homosexuals. This vote has, for many, caused people to decide to leave the church, but it’s also brought to the forefront the need for our pastors to preach the truth of what the Bible says. However, I don’t feel the need in this post to discuss those matters, instead I want to share my heart—because what a lot of people don’t understand is that this vote does not affect just them—it affects the greater church body. 

Last night, just before I went to bed, a brother in faith sent me a text to pray hard because delegates who were going to try and stop the traditional plan were meeting—and we knew that if they didn’t get their way, they had planned to protest. Never in my life have I hit my knees with such urgency than to pray that my denomination, the one I chose, would need the supernatural protection of God. 

This morning I woke up, and the first thing I did was read an email from a delegate that was sent late yesterday evening and cried. Not because I didn’t agree with the email, but because some in my denomination have sunk so low that they can’t see that sin—is sin. No matter what the sin is.

Today, I have spent the day trying to get those on the left to understand that we (traditionalists) are not hateful people. In fact my standard response to many media outlets has been “Get your facts straight, which I know is hard for folks to do in a situation like this. We upheld orthodox Christian values and the Biblical definition of marriage. We have shown grace to the LGBT+ community. We have affirmed they, as all humans are, people of sacred value. However, we have shown the world today that the UMC stands on the Bible and will not be bullied into accepting sin as God’s will. I understand that there are people who are hurting currently, well still welcome everyone into our churches, will also continue to call sin what it is…sin. I don’t know one UMC that will not welcome people from the LGBT+ community—however, we will continue to call them, just as I have been called, to repentance.” I have been called a bully, a racist (though homosexuality isn’t a race), a hypocrite, and several names that I can’t even mention on my blog as, well frankly they aren’t Christian. 

To those on the other side of the table, I want to tell you that I know you are hurting, I know you are disappointed, and I know you wish things were different. I don’t have the answers you are seeking…except that I will tell you to give consideration to the scriptures—not to what you’ve been told, but to really give thought to what God is saying. If you choose to leave, do so. If you choose to stay, embrace God’s work within the UMC—whatever you decide know that, I love you as Christ loves the church and I want to see you all come to repentance and a true understanding of Orthodox Christian beliefs and faith.