Laity and Clergy coming to differing conclusions regarding homosexuality
The Rev. Dr. Adolf Hansen, Theologian-in-Residence at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis shares a booklet resource for laity and clergy.
In the addendum Dr. Hansen shares, “I’ve written these pages to show one way United Methodist laity and clergy might carry out their responsibilities if the proposed “one church model” is adopted (without a move to a congregational form of governance). If the UMC adopts a different model, the organizational layout delineated in this booklet might still be useful. My deepest hope is that all of us who are a part of the UMC will find a resolution that will enable us to expend our full energy on leading persons to become disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
View and Download the Booklet Version
View and Download the Booklet in a single page format
Hansen also wrote the book, Is it Time? Helping Laity and Clergy Discuss Homosexuality One Question at a Time, which was included in the 2018 Bishop’s Lenten Study for critical conversation throughout the districts of the Indiana Conference.
Updates on the Commission on a Way Forward and 2019 Special Session of the General Conference
Arguments mount on Way Forward plans
Nearly 30 briefs, totaling more than 400 pages, confront the Judicial Council as it prepares to consider the constitutionality of three plans for dealing with The United Methodist Church’s schism-threatening division over homosexuality.
Both the One Church and Traditional plans as proposed would require multiple changes in church law, but not changes in the church constitution. Many of the briefs, though, argue that certain petitions in those plans would violate the constitution and thus would have to be approved as constitutional amendments.
Changing the constitution is a high hurdle, requiring a two-thirds vote of General Conference and two-thirds ratification votes in the annual conferences. Other changes to denominational policies require a majority vote at General Conference.
Learn more, read the briefs.