The article “Some Western Pennsylvania United Methodist churches make split official at conference” (June 15, TribLIVE) needs some context.
Wesleyan theology would have that those who believe in a new life in Christ are first called to be holy in conduct.
Traditionalists of the UMC are saying all people are worthy of God’s love, all can participate in the life of the church and are worthy of God’s grace if they first reject sin.
The UMC Book of Discipline states LGBTQ people cannot hold leadership positions (i.e., pastoral ministry), nor can they be “married” by UMC clergy in or outside a UM church. (Reference: 1 Timothy 3: 1-13.)
The impassioned LGBTQ plea is: God is love, Jesus loved sinners, Jesus lived with sinners, Jesus ate with sinners, Jesus forgave sinners, Jesus died for sinners. All true, but Jesus never condoned sin.
Some within the UMC believe the LGBQT lifestyle is acceptable behavior and not sin.
If this lifestyle is not sin, then there is no need for repentance, no need for forgiveness and no need for God’s grace. (Reference 2 Timothy 4:3.)
One UMC member’s “alternate lifestyle” is another UMC member’s definition of sin for which there can be no “connectionalism” (a UM term) nor, regrettably, any reconciliation.
If you try to be all things to all people, you become nothing to no one. Hence this schism.
David A. Scandrol
Lower Burrell
The writer is a lifelong adherent to Wesleyan theology