01-14-2005 Beth Stroud Case – Press, Letters and Commentary

01-14-2005 Beth Stroud Case – Press, Letters and Commentary

NIC VOICE News Update 01-14-2005 Beth Stroud Case – Press, Letters and Commentary

View previously released NIC VOICE news updates on the Beth Stroud Case here: http://www.faithfulchristianlaity.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=191.

NIC VOICE news updates published during the trial week and after have been posted on the NIC VOICE web site: http://www.nicvoice.org/beth_stroud_trial_updates.htm

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Collection of Trial and Appeal Press Reports at Beth Stroud’s Web Site

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New Press Articles (click links to read full articles, excerpts follow)

Gay and Methodist
pride source.com - Farmington,MI,USA

The article says that the Methodist Church is not the best place for gays. However, it didn't make the distinction between regular gay members and gay pastors. There are many UM Churches that welcome gay members, the most prominent one in this area is Central United Methodist Church beside Comerica Park.

In saying that United Methodists have a problem with gay pastors ignores that most denominations have the same problem, including Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists, and Presbyterians. This is an issue nearly all denominations struggle with. That is why I decided to stay in my home denomination, in spite of this issue. If I'm going to work to change minds on this issue, I might as well do it at home.

Even though this year's General Conference closed many loopholes (which had allowed Karen Damman[n] to keep her pastor credentials last spring), the core principle against gays was reaffirmed by a much smaller percentage - 54 percent this year compared to 64 percent four years ago. There is hope. Read More

The Trial of Beth Stroud
Richmond Out in the Mountains - Richmond,VT,USA

Stroud was no newcomer to being out as a lesbian. She had come out during her undergraduate studies at Bryn Mawr. She was active in ACT UP and co-founded LGNY, which later became Gay City News. But, sister Max Henson-Stroud says, her sexuality "just never came up" in the context of her church and her job. Beth Stroud says in a document on her website that she was not in a committed relationship when she was appointed to either of the churches she pastored.

The charge of which she was found guilty included the step of telling a bishop of her orientation and active relationship, a sort of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Read More

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Commentary

'The Congregation'--Conflict Comes Out of the Closet

1/10/2005
Albert Mohler

R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. For more articles and resources by Dr. Mohler, and for information on The Albert Mohler Program, a daily national radio program broadcast on the Salem Radio Network, go to www.albertmohler.com.

As the documentary reveals, Beth Stroud had to admit that she had been dishonest in the process that led to her ordination. She would later explain that she had come to terms with her homosexuality as a student at Bryn Mawr College. Nevertheless, she went through the ordination process in the United Methodist Church knowing full well that the denomination's official policy precluded self-avowed practicing homosexuals from the ministry. "I have not been fully honest or done full disclosure throughout the ordination process," she acknowledged. "I was never really sure how I would handle a direct question about my sexual orientation in the ordination process. I figured if someone came out and said, 'Are you a lesbian?,' I was going to say 'yes' and that would be the end of the process."

In her now famous "coming out" sermon, Stroud cloaked her declaration of homosexuality in the language of liberation and Christian enlightenment. "I want to take my experience of the risen Christ out of the locked room, out of the closet, and into the world where everyone can see it. I want to walk and the lights of Christ will be revealed in my life."

That statement--and Beth Stroud's defense throughout the process--indicates something of what passes for serious theological argument in what is left of liberal Protestantism. A vague but highly useful concept of liberation is really all that remains. Jesus is transformed into an agent of gay liberation and a declaration of homosexuality becomes an exercise in personal "authenticity."

<snip>

In the end, "The Congregation" succeeds in offering a unique perspective into the life of a very liberal, very troubled congregation. The film is painful to watch, but important to see. Throughout the entire project, no one seems to see any need to consult the Bible about the issues of controversy--certainly about the issue of homosexuality. The congregation of FUMCOG is clearly held together by a passionate commitment to liberal causes combined with an emotive and affective style of worship. In one sense, the film reveals to viewers everything they need to know to understand the paralyzing accommodationism that marks so many liberal denominations.

Conservatives within the United Methodist Church, organized into what is now known as the "Confessing Movement," are seeking to call the denomination back to its biblical commitment and theological heritage. "The Congregation" offers a sobering reminder of just what these evangelicals are up against. Read More

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Letters Regarding Beth Stroud by Bishop Jane Allen Middleton, Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference

December 2, 2004

Dear Friends,

Today, December 2, a verdict was declared by a 12 to 1 decision by a duly chosen jury of peers, which confirmed the charge against The Reverend Beth Stroud of practices incompatible with Christian teaching in violation of The Book of Discipline.

The testimony in the trial court confirmed her many and exemplary gifts as a pastor. But the Book of Discipline, which is United Methodist Church law, is unambiguous in the language regarding pastors who are self-avowed homosexuals.

As a church we are called to include and celebrate the gifts of all people. The Discipline also declares that homosexuals are persons of sacred worth and as Christians we are mandated by the example of Jesus to inclusiveness in our congregational life.

Many United Methodists will believe that justice was done with this verdict. Others will feel a great sense of sorrow and even anger that it is an injustice. Now more than ever as the United Methodist Church and most specifically as the Central Pennsylvania Conference, we need to focus on the love of Jesus Christ that unites us, on reaching out to those who are hungry, homeless, and yearning for a deeper relationship with God, and on making disciples of Jesus Christ. We are united far more than we are divided! We continue to strive to be faithful to the extraordinary privilege of being in ministry together. Thanks be to God!

In Christ’s service,

Bishop Jane Allen Middleton

November 30, 2004

My Dear Colleagues,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

On Wednesday, December 1, 2004 an historic trial will take place in our sister conference, the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference. The Reverend Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud, Associate Pastor of the First United Methodist Church Germantown, has declared that she is in a committed relationship with her partner, another woman.

The trial will be presided over by Bishop Joseph Yeakel. It will be adjudicated by 13 of Rev. Stroud’s peers, Elders who are members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference. The entire trial will be held in accordance with The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church and is expected to last about three days.

United Methodists are not of one mind on the issue of homosexuality, but The Discipline is the final authority and it presents a fair process for responding to anyone who is charged with being in violation of this covenantal document of our denomination. All bishops, clergy, laity and churches are required to uphold The Discipline.

I invite all of us in the Central Pennsylvania Conference and indeed all Christians to be in prayer for all of the persons involved. May the decisions which are made in these next few days be made in a spirit of love. Jesus surely would expect no less of us.

In Christ’s service,

Bishop Jane Allen Middleton

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News Updates Previously Released by NIC VOICE Regarding Beth Stroud Trial:

Pre-Trial Updates (posted at the NIC VOICE Forum at Faithful Christian Laity)

Collection of Trial and Appeal Press Reports at Beth Stroud’s Web Site

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NIC VOICE does not report all news that may of interest to United Methodists. Following are links for other sources of news:

Click on “News” at: The UnOfficial Confessing Movement Page . This website is "unofficial" and in no way represents the views or opinions of "official movements." Its purpose is to provide timely information regarding movements of spiritual, biblical, and traditional Wesleyan Methodist renewal and concern in the Churches called Methodist.

Renewal/Reform of UMC (evangelical/orthodox/traditional):

UCMPage.org
UCMPage News
Good News
Confessing Movement
Institute for Religion and Democracy, UM Action
RENEW, a network for Christian Women of the UMC
Concerned Methodists

UMC News and Information:

The United Methodist Church Web Site
UMC Directory - Churches, Annual Conferences, Agencies

Newscope - Online
Interpreter Online

UMC Independent News:
United Methodist Reporter Interactive

Additionally, for up-to-date news, you can set news alerts by topic at Google News Alerts:

http://www.google.com/alerts

Some potential topics:

United Methodist
Methodist General Conference
Methodist Annual Conference
Methodist Jurisdictional Conference
Beth Stroud

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Beth Stround Trial Updates