Denomination Updates
We are living through historic times as United Methodists. The past five years have brought significant conflict and change to our denomination, culminating with this year’s General Conference (which just concluded on May 3). At the heart of the debate is our denomination’s stance on the issue of same-sex marriage. United Methodists have always affirmed that every person is of sacred worth, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. However, language within our Book of Discipline has until now forbade pastors from performing same-sex marriages and restricted gay individuals from serving as pastors.
Administrative Council Decisions (August 1, 2024)
On May 1st and May 2nd 2024, the United Methodist Church General Conference amended the Book of Discipline to repeal the restriction against “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from serving as pastors with a 93% vote (667-54) and approved the removal of the statement “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching” with a 76% vote (523-161).
Within that same framework the UMC General Conference does not compel churches to receive a pastor in a same-sex marriage. The approved amendments also explicitly protect the right of clergy and churches not to officiate at or host same-sex weddings. The decision on whether to host same-sex marriages on church property and/or whether to receive a pastor in a same-sex marriage, must be instead determined by the local “Church Council”, which ZUMC calls the “Administrative Council” within our congregation. Thus, on July 29, 2024 the Administrative Council met to determine the policy as it relates to same-sex marriage.
Over the course of several years, there have been many classes hosted on the topic of same-sex marriage in preparation for whatever Book of Discipline changes occurred at General Conference (which was delayed multiple times due to the global pandemic). More recently, the Administrative Council had multiple listening sessions and conducted a survey of the congregation in efforts to provide a voice for the people of the church. With 569 individuals completing the survey we had roughly 50% church-wide participation. The participants were overwhelmingly members of the church- with 88% of survey takers being members and 12% being non-members who participate regularly in the life of ZUMC.
Many of you shared your thoughts and positions in the listening sessions, through face-to-face conversations, via email, and the survey comment section. You shared your thoughts, concerns, fears and joys about this topic from your hearts and we thank each and every person for taking the time to help us hear your voice. The love of God and love of the church was evident in all we heard.
When asked if you would be open to our pastors performing weddings for a same sex couple, approximately 80% answered yes and approximately 14% answered no. When asked if you would be open to receiving an appointed pastor who is living in a same sex marriage, 67% answered yes and 25% answered no. For both questions, there were some with no preference and those percentages are not included here.
Two themes emerged as the Administrative Council listened to the congregation. There is an overwhelming desire to keep our church together without division. There is also a lot of fear. Fear of change and what it might mean. Fear of creating a slippery slope. Fear of not honoring scripture. Fear of loss of friends and relationships, many having been formed over years of worshipping together. Fear of not doing enough. We painfully recognize that any decision made will not be accepted by all and, for that, our collective hearts break.
Our July 29th Administrative Council meeting was a long marathon of discussion and debate with respect for others in the room and for the information gathered from the congregation. The votes were not unanimous but they did mirror closely the results of the survey, passing with 80% in favor. The Administrative Council has determined the following policies:
ZUMC is open to our pastors performing weddings for a same sex couple on ZUMC property.
ZUMC is open to receiving an appointed pastor who is living in a same sex marriage
As a way to clarify where the ZUMC congregation is on a continuum on this, the survey question was posed as to a policy being welcoming, affirming or advocating for same sex marriage. The survey results from this question imply that about three quarters of the congregation accept or support same sex marriage. That leaves a bit less than one quarter whose personal convictions prevent them from embracing this position. This is not insignificant and we want to assure these members that we honor their decision and want to keep room at the table for all. We recognize whether one is welcoming, affirming, or advocating includes a wide spectrum of life experiences and is a personal choice to be determined on an individual basis. However, as we move forward, we expect our church to remain a safe space for all people.
What does this mean for ZUMC? Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) and Trustees, along with the Administrative Council, will prepare specific policies consistent with the recent vote. As a church, we will continue to make space for differing beliefs with honor and respect for each other. There is room at the table for all. We will not allow our disagreement to make enemies of one another. We will love and welcome all who enter the church. We will keep Christ at the center of all we do.
The congregation’s desires were voiced through the survey and information shared and the Administrative Council has taken a vote consistent with those desires. This task and vote was not taken lightly by the members of the Administrative Council. As representatives of the church, we also have different thoughts about the issue, just as the congregation does. We pray for healing for wounds that may have been created. We pray for unity as we move forward. We pray for excitement about living into and fulfilling Christ’s vision for the world. We pray for the ability to be grace providers to all in our church. We pray for patience and prayerful discernment for the congregation as you consider the impact of this decision. We pray for guidance and direction from God, who loves us.
We thank you all for your prayers and support.
For those interested in the survey results, the questions and percentage of votes are below.
Are you a member of Zionsville United Methodist Church?
Yes - 88.05% (501)
No - 11.95% (68)
What policy do you believe would honor God with respect to same-sex marriage in our church?
I have no opinion or preference - 2.64% (15)
Welcoming: Everyone is welcome in our church but we do not affirm marriage between two people of the same gender. - 23.06% (131)
Affirming: We affirm the marriage covenant between two consenting adults, regardless of gender. - 36.74% (203)
Advocating: In addition to affirming, we actively advocate within our denomination and community on behalf of LGBTQ+ inclusion. - 38.56% (219)
Are you open to our pastors performing weddings for a same-sex couple?
Yes, at any location including the church. - 71.70% (408)
Yes, at a location outside of our church - 8.96% (51)
No, not at all. - 13.88% (79)
I have no opinion or preference. - 5.45% (31)
Are you open to receiving an appointed pastor who is living in a same-sex marriage?
Yes- 67.14% (382)
No - 25.13% (143)
I have no opinion or preference - 7.73% (44)
General Conference Updates
This year’s General Conference made several historic amendments to our Book of Discipline:
On April 25, the General Conference approved by a 78% vote (586-164) a plan for “Regionalization.” This plan would combine the five jurisdictional conferences of the US into one “regional conference,” co-equal with seven other regional conferences around the world. Each region would have autonomy to adapt the Book of Discipline to its cultural context. Read more about regionalization here: What Does Regionalization Mean?
On April 30, the General Conference approved by a 93% vote (667-54) a repeal of many aspects of the Traditional Plan that previously passed in 2019, including a repeal of mandatory punishment for clergy that perform same-sex weddings, and a moratorium on judicial proceedings against clergy who have performed same-sex weddings. For more information about this vote, click here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/april-30-wrap-up-some-lgbtq-bans-lifted-episcopal-communion-approved
On May 1, the General Conference approved by a 93% vote (692-51) a repeal of the restriction against “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from serving as pastors. This language had been present in the Book of Discipline since 1984. For more information about this vote, click here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/may-1-wrap-up-gay-clergy-ban-lifted-new-retirement-plan-approved
On May 2, the General Conference approved by 76% vote (523-161) a new statement of Social Principles, which removed from our Book of Discipline the statement that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” This language had been present in our Book of Discipline since 1972. To read more fully about this vote, click here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/may-2-wrap-up-delegates-declare-homosexuality-no-longer-incompatible
What’s Next?
Nothing passed by the General Conference would compel churches to receive an LGBTQ+ pastor. The legislation approved also explicitly protects the right of clergy and churches not to officiate at or host same-sex weddings. The decision on whether to host same-sex marriages on church property, or whether to receive an LGBTQ+ pastor, must be determined by the “Church Council” (which we call the “Administrative Council” within our congregation).
Our Administrative Council has chosen NOT to conduct a church-wide vote on the issue, in response to the widely-felt fear that a voting process would polarize and divide our church. However, the Ad Council desires to hear from church members in order to make an informed decision that reflects our values as a congregation. To that end, we are conducting a church-wide survey as well as listening sessions on July 10 (6:30-8:00pm); July 14 (11:15am-12:30pm); and July 21 (11:15am-12:30pm). Childcare will be provided for both Sunday listening sessions.
If you wish to take the survey, please contact Pastor Ashlea Barnett at abarnett@zumc.org.
At the end of the month, the Administrative Council hopes to make a decision that reflects the will of the majority of our members, and which will allow us to move forward in ministry and mission together. We will announce the date of our decision in early August.
Two Viewpoints
Over the past three years, Pastor Dave has led classes designed to help our congregation understand both sides of the issue from a Biblical perspective. As part of these classes, Pastor Dave (in consultation with pastors who hold differing viewpoints) has developed this summary of how each side approaches the issue of same-sex marriage.
Two Views on Same-Sex Marriage
Pastor Dave has also addressed this topic in multiple sermons of the past years. Below are links to two particular sermons—one delivered in March 2019 following the “St. Louis Conference” in which the current Traditionalist plan passed; the second delivered in February 2023 when he shared our decision not to seek disaffiliation. In both sermons, Pastor Dave outlined four “agreements” that will hold us together as we navigate this season:
We agree that there is room for Christians to faithfully disagree on the issue of same-sex marriage.
We agree that we will not allow our disagreement on this issue to turn us into enemies of one another.
We agree that we will love and accept all who come in our doors, regardless of whose hand they are holding.
We agree that we will keep Christ at the center of all we do, striving to live out the Great Commandment to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves.