Reports from the 2004 General Conference of the United Methodist Church
UMAction director Mark Tooley reports from Pittsburgh.

Activist UM Middle East Missionary Speaks in Pittsburgh (11-May)

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Reporter Interactive

General Conference 2004

NEW! Audio Interviews with Susan Scheib

Reporter Interactive Associate Editor, Susan Scheib, talks with delegates at General Conference 2004 about these topics:

• What is Holy Conferencing?
• What will you take home from General Conference?
• What was your impression of the pro-gay demonstration? How will it affect the church?

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Recommended Reading:  Commentary (published with permission)

 HOW SHALL WE DEAL WITH UNITED METHODIST HERETICS?

by Rev. Wally Cason, St. Mark and Oak Hill UMC, Tupelo, Mississippi

                General Conference 2004 closed with a certain ambiguity. On the one hand, we saw the Discipline strengthened with regard to forbidding practicing homosexuals to serve as clergy and forbidding our clergy to perform homosexual unions. We defined marriage as one man and one woman. On the other hand, there were many poignant calls for unity with those within the “reconciling” position; and there seemed to be very little support for the position of the Rev. Bill Hinson, who said it is time to separate from pro-homosexual and anti-scriptural churches. There were statements from those calling themselves “middle-of-the-road Methodists” advocating that we continue as we have done. Yet many of us considered “right wing” and “ultra-conservative” and “neo-literalists” are more upset than ever. We wonder what the Lord would have us to do.

                Let us go to the Bible for guidance. First, let us look at scriptures which could be interpreted as guidance to separate; then let us look at scriptures which could be interpreted as guidance to remain united. I’ll just make a list of each and then explain. Finally, I will take a look at the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15, and at Paul’s confrontation of Peter in Galatians 2, and apply what we learn to what we might be hearing from the Lord in our present situation.

Should Bible believing Methodists separate from unbelievers?

                Here are some Scriptures for separation from unbelievers, with commentary in parentheses:

§     Matthew 1:19, “¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.” (This tells us that it can be righteous to end a covenant relationship where there is sexual sin. I would argue that what is true of marriage is also true of our covenant with one another in a church setting.)

§     Matthew 18:15-17, “¹⁵Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. ¹⁷And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (This tells us that Jesus considers lack of repentance to be sufficient reason to end a relationship with one who was formerly a brother. The relationship is ended in a church setting, i.e. a church conference or trial, when the guilty brother refuses to repent of a fault.)

§     Jeremiah 3:8, “⁸And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.” (This tells us that God used sexual sin as a metaphor for idolatry – just as adultery was a sufficient reason to end a marriage, so idolatry was a sufficient reason to end God’s covenant with a person. Idolatry and sexual sin are thus equated as sufficient causes to end a relationship.)

§     Matthew 7:15-17, “15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17…every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” (This tells us that the body of believers can be invaded by wolves pretending to be sheep, and that we are to judge them by whether their behavior is morally corrupt.)

§     Luke 17:3-4, “³Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. ⁴And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” (This tells us that we are only required to forgive those who repent. We are not obligated to forgive [to accept or include or trust again] those who refuse to repent of their sins.)

§     II Corinthians 6:14-18, ¹⁴Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ¹⁵And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ¹⁶And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, ¹⁸And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (This tells us that we are to separate from those who are unbelievers; once again the comparison is made between infidelity to God and infidelity in marriage as being a sufficient reason or ground to divorce or separate.)

§     Galatians 1:6-9, “⁶I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: ⁷Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (This tells us that perverting the gospel of Christ leads to being cursed by God.)

§     II Peter 2 is too long to quote, but is a powerful passage against false prophets “who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government” (II Peter 2:10). They “shall utterly perish in their own corruption.” Peter warns us, II Peter 2:1, that “there shall be false teachers among you, who secretly shall bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” These false prophets “have eyes full of adultery” and follow the way of Sodom and Gomorrah. Peter does not say how to deal with them; he just points out their existence within the body of Christ, and their end – destruction.

§     The case of the man who had his father’s wife in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians is very strong concerning removal of sexual sinners from the fellowship of a church and their restoration upon repentance (I Corinthians 5:1-8; II Corinthians 2:1-11). The reason Paul said to remove the sinner was that “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump,” therefore “Purge out…the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump….” (I Cor. 5:6-7).

Although these scriptures seem plain enough, nevertheless we should interpret scripture with scripture. Therefore let us look carefully at the other side lest we jump to the wrong conclusion through proof texting.

Should Bible believing Methodists remain in their churches?

Here are some Scriptures which could be interpreted as being for remaining in unity with unbelievers in the church, with commentary:

§     “The Lord … is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish …” (2 Peter 3:9). (This tells us to be longsuffering with the wicked, as ambassadors of Christ and as children of God. And on this point we could also quote Jesus: Turn the other cheek…go the second mile…love your enemies…pray for them who despise or persecute you.)

§     Matthew 5:21-26, “²¹Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: ²²But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. ²³Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; ²⁴Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. ²⁵Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. ²⁶Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” (This tells us to be reconciled with our brothers who have been offended by us.)

§     Galatians 6:1-2, “¹Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (This tells us to strive for restoring those who have fallen into sin. We hear this from our bishops as their reason for not rebuking other bishops who have outspokenly denied the faith. However, I wish they would try to restore them the way Paul did with Peter, by sharp rebuke; and if there was no response or repentance, by bringing it before witnesses, and then before the church.)

§     Galatians 2:11-14, “¹¹But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. ¹²For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. ¹³And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. ¹⁴But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” (This tells us there is a time to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints,” Jude 3, among our brothers in the household of faith who have become deluded. There is a time for withstanding the errant to their faces. There is a time for sharp rebuke – as is mentioned in the next scripture below.)

§     Titus 1:10-14, “¹⁰For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: ¹¹Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. ¹²One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. ¹³This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; ¹⁴Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” (This tells us that there is a time for sharp rebuke to those who lead away from correct doctrine, to put them back on the path of truth. Would that we would see more public use of sharp rebuke by our episcopal leadership against those who have fallen into heresy! If we ultimately conclude that we should not separate, nevertheless we still should not condone outright gross sin in the body of Christ.)

§     The parable of the tares and wheat (Matthew 13:25-43) tell us that only at the end, when the Lord Himself comes in judgment, will the tares be separated from the wheat and burned. The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) has the exclusion of the five foolish virgins only by the bridegroom when he comes, not by the five wise virgins. And the separation of the sheep from the goats in Matthew 25:331-46 is also done by the Lord alone and His angels when He comes in His glory, and not by any earthly action of the church. Jesus says, Matthew 7:1, “Judge not lest ye be judged.” All these passages warn us not to usurp the Lord’s authority in judging. We must be extremely careful not to step on the Lord’s prerogatives in judgment.

§     Revelation 2:20-22, “²⁰Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. ²¹And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. ²²Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.” (This passage shows us that Jesus does not wish us to suffer, i.e. tolerate, the false prophets who teach immorality and idolatry and seduce believers into sin. It also says Jesus Himself will punish Jezebel. It does not say all Jesus’s servants who have been seduced should be cast out, however; Jesus does not address that issue here except to warn that they will experience great tribulation if they do not repent of their deeds.)

What then are we to conclude? Should we leave? Should we stay, but make an attempt to cast out unbelievers? What should we do? Let’s look at some specific New Testament incidents.

A Look at the Jerusalem Conference in Acts

                We really ought to take more interest in and pay more attention to Acts 15. It is relevant! In Acts 15, there was a dispute across the general church concerning what was to be required of Christians, especially ignorant new believers coming out of paganism. The Jerusalem council decided that circumcision would not be required – on the basis that salvation is of faith and not of works. But on the issue of sexual sin, the council decided that it would indeed be required that Christians not practice fornication. Also, it was decided that new believers should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from meat with the blood still in it (strangled rather than drained). What is interesting to us today is how we might see nothing wrong with eating meat with blood in it, considering that a matter of ritual, while agreeing wholeheartedly with the other three decisions – no circumcision requirement, no fornication, and no meat sacrificed to idols.

                The main point to be derived is that there is a biblical basis for holding a general conference to decide theological issues. A secondary point is that some of the issues that come up can be settled based on political expediency – not eating meat with blood in it in order to keep from offending Jewish Christians – while other decisions go deeper – not requiring circumcision goes to the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ. On some issues there can be no compromise because they touch on foundational doctrine. Homosexuality is one of those issues. Let us consider the issue of fornication, i.e. sexual sin, more closely to see why this is so.

                Fornication affects the soul. It is not a matter of mere ritual purity, as in whether to eat meat with blood still in it, or whether to wash the hands before meals. Fornication goes directly to the issue of covenant. Like adultery, fornication (Greek porneia) destroys marriage as God designed it, since by definition it is sex outside of marriage. (Marriage is biblically defined as the union of one man and one woman – Matthew 19:4-5). Proverbs says that an adulterer sins against his own soul. Homosexuality is porneia – it is sex outside of holy matrimony. Homosexuality too destroys the soul. The Jerusalem conference could not condone fornication, and today we cannot condone homosexuality, because it is a deal breaker with God – that is, it adulterates marriage as God designed it, and it is a sin against one’s own soul – it leads to a corruption of our covenant with God. There are seven major scriptures forbidding homosexuality or calling it a sin or an abomination to God (Lev. 18:22-23; Lev. 20:13; Deut. 23:17; Isa. 3:9; Rom. 1:26-27; I Cor. 6:9; I Tim. 1:9-10; II Pet. 2:1-8; and Jude 1:7-8). There are six other passages which make clear that homosexuality is a grave sin against God (Gen. 19:5; Jdg. 19:22; I Kgs. 14:24; I Kgs. 15:12; I Kgs. 22:46; and II Kgs. 23:7).

It was fornication which the false prophet Balaam recommended to the pagan king Balak as a means of corrupting the children of Israel and making a way for Baal worship to enter in, according to Moses in Numbers 31:16 (Cf. Rev. 2:14). Homosexuality is sexual sin, a form of fornication. It tends toward destroying one’s covenant with God. We see plainly how the homosexuals have taken to their bosoms the twisting of scriptures. They are thrilled with the outright apostasy of Joseph Sprague because Sprague’s position allows them to twist scripture to their heart’s content…and their eternal damnation.

The Jerusalem council recognized the corrupting power of sexual sin in Acts 15. So did General Conference 2004. Although we sense the sincerity of those enmeshed in or advocating homosexuality as a legitimate Christian lifestyle, and the genuine anguish of these who want to be both homosexuals and an accepted part of United Methodism, we are in the same position as the early church. We absolutely have to lay down the law in love – we must say that just as fornication is not an acceptable practice, neither is homosexuality, and for the same reason; namely, it destroys one’s covenant with God. It is God who won’t tolerate it, and that is why we must not tolerate it either.  It will destroy the church just as surely as it does the individual who practices it. Homosexuality does not rest upon God's grace; it perverts God's grace! Both adultery and homosexuality are against God's law, and also against God's grace -- because they destroy the soul and break faith with God.

St. Paul Confronts Peter

      One final incident! Our final scenario involves a face-to-face confrontation by Paul of Peter – a confrontation by one righteous leader with another church leader who is momentarily out of God’s will. You can read all about it in Galatians. Paul is absolutely sure of where he stands with God and man. He writes the first chapter in holy anger. One of the things that he says there is that if anyone is preaching another gospel than the one delivered by the Lord Jesus, let them be accursed. That is not mild inclusive speech! When confronting the Judaizers, Paul says, Galatians 2:5, “…we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.” That was with non-Christians.

But also with momentarily deceived Christians, Paul did not back down either! Paul lit into Peter (Cephas) himself, as he says in Galatians 2:11, “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.” After a reminder of his careful submission to the apostolic authorities, Paul says concerning Christ’s apostles, Galatians 2:6, “But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) – well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.” Paul is absolutely dead certain that his authority is from God Himself – and without denying that God had used Peter in the past, nevertheless Paul asserts his own authority in the same vein, Galatians 2:8, “for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles.” We can do as Paul did with Peter.

Now to conclude:

When in conference with fellow Christians, we can behave as they did in Jerusalem and solve difficult problems with sweet reason – no, wait! I fooled you! They actually had “no small dissension” and “much disputing” (Acts 15:2, 7)! There may be times ahead when we need to earnestly contend for the faith among our brethren, with salty speech. We are going to have to get ever more potent, formidable, and biblical in our confrontations at the next General Conference against wolves, unbelievers, Jezebels, and infidels in the church.

When facing infidels – that is, those who are the enemies of God even if they are within the church as false prophets, – we can trust and pray that the Holy Spirit will give us what to say, as in the case of the martyr Stephen. We need that same holy boldness, and we need to understand that it was so confrontational that it produced a spirit of murder in those who heard him, just as in the case of Christ before the Sanhedrin. I also think Stephen prepared a lot of that speech in the Spirit. We better prepare, too, also in the Spirit.

And when facing misled brothers, as Paul did Peter, we can defend the faith with intense passion so long as we are absolutely solidly rooted and grounded in the faith as delivered to the saints by our Lord Jesus. That means having a scriptural basis for every position we take. We can do our best to lead them back to Christ, trusting in our brothers to respond to the Holy Spirit within us and them. We want those who have offended God to get right with Him and come back into the fold.

Davy Crockett was known for his motto, “Be sure you’re right; then go ahead.” And that is exactly what we all should do. May God guide us in knowing when to try to restore a misled brother; when to sharply rebuke the wandering and straying among us; and when finally to separate from unbelievers. This is the Lord’s business, and we had better be very careful how we act lest we cause one of His little ones to stumble. May God move in our midst to show us His way for us.

                Dr. Wallace Cason III,pastor

                St. Mark and Oak HillUMC

                Tupelo,Mississippi

Recommended Reading: Commentary:  Update on General Conference 2004 by Wesley Putnam

(Adapted from:  Who is Wesley Putnam; see also Wesley Putnam MInistries) 

Wesley Putnam is a United Methodist minister, a full-time evangelist, a musician, dramatist and storyteller. He describes  himself as "A man whose ministry crosses denominational and state lines. Most of all, he´s a believer who wants to glorify God and build up the Kingdom."

He has served as president and executive director of the National Association of United Methodist Evangelists. He has also been active as a representative on the Council of Evangelism of the South Central Jurisdiction.

Wesley has been honored by his peers in receiving the Philip Award, and the Denman award for his work in evangelism.

 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 

"There was a call for the amicable separation of those who are in such radical division in our church, but that was quickly put down. As a matter of fact, on Friday morning there was a hastily drawn up resolution reaffirming our "unity" that passed by an overwhelming 95%. The irony of that vote is that it was held with Bishop Joseph Sprague in the chair. Bishop Sprague is the one who came out last year with a speech and a book denying the Deity of Christ, the Virgin Birth, the Resurrection, and other basics of our faith. That vote took place in front of a divided Council of Bishops who had just watched 29 of their number stand in opposition to the Discipline of our Church."   Read More 

The following links are referenced in the above commentary: 

Parent Directory        11-May-2004 12:57      - 
demonstration2.jpg      11-May-2004 12:58   379k 
demonstration3.jpg      11-May-2004 12:58   133k 
demonstrations.jpg      11-May-2004 12:58   147k 
desecration.jpg 11-May-2004 12:58 136k

standingbishops1.jpg    11-May-2004 13:08   172k 
standingbishops2.jpg    11-May-2004 13:08   192k 

 

Protest on the Floor

Scenes from protest on the floor
Windows Media | MPEG

James Perry, Chair of Commission on General Conference: "They told us it would be a peaceful demonstration and that's what happened."
Windows Media | MPEG

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 themethodistchurch.com (not affiliated with The United Methodist Church - founded by Donald E. Wildmon)

Donald E. Wildmon is an ordained United Methodist minister, having earned his MDiv. from Emory College in 1965. After serving in the U.S. Army's Special Services he pastored churches from 1965 until he founded National Federation for Decency in 1977. NFD became American Family Association in 1988.

themethodistchurch.com Reporting on General Conference

UMC Conference Headlines from AgapePress

• 'Sexuality' Among Top Issues for Methodists
• 'Openness' Motto Queried – Open to What?
• Methodists: Review of Lesbian Pastor's Acquittal
• Conference Wrestles With Homosexual Issues
• UMC Conservatives Dismayed By Church Structures   
• Policies on Homosexuals at Forefront in Pittsburgh
• African Delegate: 'If Sin is Sin, It Has to Stay Sin'
• UM Reformers, Pro-Lifers Contend for UMC's Soul
• Conservative UMs: Need to Split Over Homosexuality

UMC Agency Denies Malfeasance Charge
    The United Methodist Church is being rocked by a scandal involving the misuse of money by the denomination's top lobby office in Washington, DC.   — By Jim Brown, AgapePress [Read More]

Bishop: Lesbian Eligible for Reappointment
    Troubles over homosexuality are continuing to cause division in the United Methodist Church. Bishop Elias Galvan, head of the Pacific-Northwest Conference, said yesterday that if Karen Dammann, an openly practicing homosexual, seeks a clergy appointment within the denomination, he would likely reappoint her.   — By Kathleen Rutledge [Read More]    [Source: Christianity Today]

An Amicable and Just Separation
    The following address was presented to the United Methodist Decision Breakfast in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Hinson is the president of the Confessing Movement within the United Methodist Church.   — By The Rev. Dr. Bill Hinson [Read More]    [Source: IRD]

Methodists Divided on Homosexuality Stand
    Conservatives in the United Methodist Church proposed splitting the denomination Thursday, the latest sign of decades of disagreement over homosexuality that continued at a national meeting this week.   — By Rachel Zoll, AP [Read More]    [Source: Guardian Unlimited]

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UMSOURCE

METHOBLOG - Ramblings from a United Methodist Perspective (includes commentary on GC2004)

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First United Methodist Church, Chicago Temple

"Mother Church" by Rev. Philip L. Blackwell, May 9, 2004  John 13: 31-35 (includes commentary on GC2004)