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The United Methodist Church’s conflict over homosexuality is irreconcilable and calls for amicable separation into different denominations, according to a 12-person group of centrists, traditionalists and progressives that began meeting in late June. “We’ve discovered The United Methodist Church can’t live in the same house together peaceably, but we can live next door to one another,” said the Rev. Kent Millard, president of United Theological Seminary and one of the group’s organizers.

The Rev. Kent Millard.
Photo courtesy of United Theological Seminary.

Millard and the others have drafted basic provisions of what they’re calling the Indianapolis Plan, named for the city where they gathered in late June for intensive discussions. The group hopes to get input from across the church so the plan can be revised and written in petition form by the Sept. 18 deadline for the 2020 General Conference.

The Indianapolis Plan envisions a Traditionalist United Methodist Church that would maintain the denomination’s current restrictions on same-sex weddings and ordination of “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy. A separate Centrist/Progressive United Methodist Church would remove those restrictions, as well as church teaching that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. The names in the plan are placeholders. Each denomination would decide what it would be called and could incorporate “United Methodist” into that name. The Indianapolis Plan also holds out the possibility of a third denomination, a Progressive United Methodist Church that would practice immediate full inclusion of LGBTQ persons.

Significantly, the plan avoids dissolution, suggesting that “legal continuation” and most general church agencies would remain with the Centrist/Progressive United Methodist Church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rev. Keith Boyette.
Photo courtesy of the Wesleyan Covenant Association.

That’s OK with the Rev. Keith Boyette, president of the traditionalist Wesleyan Covenant Association and a member of the Indianapolis Plan group. “One of them would carry on the legal framework, initially, of The United Methodist Church,” Boyette said. “It was not difficult for me, personally, to say that the centrist/progressive part of the church would do that. They have indicated more of an investment in that framework.”

The drafters of the Indianapolis Plan include pastors of churches that are affiliated with Reconciling Ministries Network, which advocates for full LGBTQ inclusion. Along with Boyette, the Rev. Tom Lambrecht — vice president and general manager of Good News — represents the traditionalist perspective. Millard and others are more centrist in their views. Everyone from the group is from the U.S., but Millard said he has been in contact with Bishop John K. Yambasu, who leads the African College of Bishops. The group members emphasized that they’re representing themselves, not their organizations, in putting forth the Indianapolis Plan. They see it as a work in progress, but all endorse the idea that the denomination needs to re-form into separate denominations.

“Our internal conflict is keeping us from our primary mission to make disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world,” said Lynette Fields, executive director of community transformation at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, an LGBTQ-friendly congregation in Orlando, Florida. “I believe that an amicable separation or a birthing of new expressions will allow each new group to be healthier, more vibrant and mission-focused.”

The United Methodist Church has struggled for decades with how accepting to be of homosexuality. After schism seemed possible at the 2016 General Conference, bishops created a Commission on a Way Forward and called a special General Conference, held this past February in St. Louis. Delegates there defeated the bishops’ favored One Church Plan and by a 438-384 margin approved the Traditional Plan, which reinforces the church’s restrictions on ordination and same-sex marriage. The angry rhetoric and general rancor in St. Louis were followed by open resistance to the Traditional Plan, as well as by the departure of some traditionalist churches weary of the conflict. The special General Conference and its aftermath led to the odd bedfellows’ work on the Indianapolis Plan. “Throughout the history of the church there have been times when groups of people going different directions was necessary,” Fields said. “I believe we are at that moment in the life of the UMC.”

The Indianapolis Plan’s basic provisions include:

• Central conferences could align with either of the denominations or become autonomous affiliated denominations. Those that don’t decide would automatically be part of the Traditionalist United Methodist Church.
• U.S. annual conferences would decide by majority vote which denomination to join. Those who don’t take a vote would by default be part of the Centrist/Progressive United Methodist Church.
• Local churches disagreeing with their annual conference’s decision could decide by majority vote to align elsewhere, retaining their property, assets and liabilities.
• Clergy would decide on a denomination to join, but by default would go with their annual conference’s decision. Bishops could also choose a denomination.
• Each denomination would develop a new General Conference, as well as its own Book of Discipline, structures, polity and finances.
• Wespath, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, United Methodist Women and the United Methodist Publishing House would be independent 501(c)3 organizations positioned to serve the two or three denominations.
• All other agencies would be part of the Centrist/Progressive United Methodist Church.
• The 2020 General Conference would provide funding for central conference ministries through the 2021-2024 quadrennium, and the separated denominations would share the costs.
• A process would be devised for dividing current general church assets, including creation of an arbitration board.

Separation needs to happen quickly, the Indianapolis Plan group says. They see annual conferences beginning to realign in August 2020, with inaugural General Conferences for the different denominations occurring in fall 2021. The Indianapolis Plan “absolutely” could be approved by General Conference without time-consuming constitutional amendments, said Boyette, who has been a practicing lawyer and served on the Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court. Though similar in some ways to the recently unveiled Bard-Jones Plan, the Indianapolis Plan goes farther by creating real separation of denominations, Boyette said. Like Millard, Boyette has been using a certain analogy to explain. He compared Bard-Jones to people living in the same house, but in different rooms.

“What the Indianapolis Plan achieves is essentially saying, ʻOK, we’re going to be in different houses in the same neighborhood, and the neighborhood is the larger Wesleyan family,” Boyette said. Boyette acknowledged that he’s part of other discussions about the future of The United Methodist Church, but described the Indianapolis Plan as “a fair and equitable and respectful approach to bringing to an end what has become a very damaging conflict.”

1. mailing a check to Mississippi Conference of the UMC, 320-C Briarwood Drive, Attention: James Mason, Jackson, MS 39206. Please annotate “4ICE-Children” in the memo line of the check.
2. making a fee-free donation using the PayPal Giving Fund website.
3. sending an electronic donation via PayPal to paypal@mississippi-umc.org. Please annotate “4ICE-Children” in the notes section of the transfer.

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

It is with a heavy heart that I write you today. As some of you may know, Wednesday, August 7, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided several work sites here in Mississippi, and arrested approximately 680 people in the largest single-state immigration enforcement action in U.S. history.

I’m not concerned with your personal political stances and thoughts on implications related to U.S. immigration, but I am concerned about the well-being and stability of families. Specifically, I am concerned about the children who suffered a sudden and traumatic separation from their families on what was for many, the first day of school here in Mississippi.

As I write you, people serving in the various regions that were impacted by yesterday’s events are planning ways in which faith communities can serve the needs of these children. Additionally, others will meet today and this evening to organize endeavors to serve. Those efforts will be announced as details are finalized, so check your emails for information tomorrow, and in the coming days for continued updates.

People of God, thank you in advance for your prayers for the children affected by Wednesday’s raids. I urge you to remember the words of our Savior in Matthew 18:5, “and whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

Additionally, I want to remind you that our Social Principles affirms what the Scriptures teach us,

“We believe the family to be the basic human community through which persons are nurtured and sustained in mutual love, responsibility, respect, and fidelity,” and ¶ 162 affirms that children are “acknowledged to be full human beings in their own right, but beings to whom adults and society in general have special obligations” and that “children have the rights to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and emotional well-being as do adults, and these rights we affirm as theirs regardless of actions or inactions of their parents or guardians. In particular, children must be protected from economic, physical, emotional, and sexual exploitation and abuse.”

For those who desire to put your faith in action, below are ways you can help right now:

• First and foremost, everyone can go to the Lord in prayer.  It is written that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
• Second, Financial contributions are welcome to supply the immediate needs of these children. Gracious givers can mail checks to:
  • Attn: James Mason
  • The Mississippi United Methodist Conference
  • 320 Briarwood Dr.
  • Jackson, MS 39206
• Methodist Children’s Homes (MCH) is offering assistance to the Mississippi Conference and local churches affected by the immigration raids. Currently, the staff at MCH are in communications with the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) to determine if and how they can assist with caring for any children who need placement. At this time, they are still assessing the needs and building their response plans. However, MCH is aware that many local churches within the conference are directly serving in those communities. MCH has staff trained in working with children who have been traumatized and can work with the families as a whole as well. To contact MCH, email or call Samantha Kalahar, the director of development at skalahar@mchms.org 601.853.5000 ext. 2201.

Blessings,

Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr.

Family Camp — August 16-18, 2019

Lake Wallowa Camp and Retreat Center

Lake Wallowa, Oregon

Time is running out to sign up for our church outing to Lake Wallowa. Rooms are filling up quickly and a family-friendly program is being developed. There will be lots of free time to explore the area, spend time at the lake, or take a hike or cable car ride. There will be singing and telling of stories and time for spiritual reflection and devotion.

The location near the artsy town of Joseph, Oregon in the beautiful Wallowa Valley promises a break from the summer heat in Walla Walla and plenty of exploring for you and the family. There is something for everyone and the price is reasonable.

Only $125 per adult provides all your meals and two nights lodging in deluxe accommodations. Kids are free! This is certainly not roughing it or camping, although recreational vehicles are welcome. Sign up online here, and you can even pay online here.

Growing up as a child of immigrants in the United States