Covenant We will carefully listen to one another. We will be careful not to judge one another. We are not here to change one another’s positions. (Speak to be understood, not to convince) We will ask questions.

Covenant We will speak our truth in love. We will assume trust not suspicion. We will protect the confidentiality of the conversation. Let everyone participate, no one dominate, allow every voice to be heard.

We pledge to God and to each other that we will lead by example in a world where civil discourse seems to have broken down. We pledge to model a better way in how we treat each other.

We commit to create in Matthews United Methodist Church, a safe and sacred space for common prayer and discussion as we come together to discern God’s will for our church.

Three Plans Traditional/Traditionalist One Church Connectional Conference

I might be wrong Convicted Humility The recognition that our members hold a wide range of positions regarding same sex relations Persons are convinced of the moral views they espouse and seek to be faithful to what they see as the truth God calls the church to uphold. Convicted humility combines honesty about the differing convictions which divide us with humility about the way in each of our views may stand in need of correction. Humble repentance for all the ways we’ve sought to win a fight rather than living into the call to discern the shape of faithfulness together. I might be wrong

The Traditionalist Plan

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral Reason Tradition Experience Scripture

Throughout the majority of Christian history, most theologians and Christian denominations have viewed homosexual behavior as immoral or sinful.

Roots of homosexual behavior (Nurture) Social Causes Early sexual experiences Cultural Acceptance of Non-Heterosexuality

Testimonies of giving up the homosexual lifestyle Christianity being in the world but not of the world “Unnatural” – prevents procreation AIDS Continuing to sin

From a traditionalist’s point of view, if the General Conference changes the Disciplinary boundaries regarding the level of LGBTQ+ inclusion, what does that say about the authority of scripture?

Video: Sugar Packet Clip

The Traditionalist Plan Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball Video: The Traditionalist Plan Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball

The Traditionalist Plan Maintains the current stance of the church regarding the definition of marriage and the ministry of and with LGBTQ+ persons. Flows from the belief that the UMC ought to have one unified moral stance on the issues of marriage and sexuality. This plan affirms current church restrictions related to LGBTQ+ individuals and adds more accountability for enforcement of those restrictions.

The Traditionalist Plan Broadens the definition of “self-avowed practicing homosexual” to include anyone living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union, or who publicly states that he or she is a (practicing) homosexual. Sets minimum penalties and expulsion after 2 offenses for clergy who perform same-sex marriages or civil unions. Increases the accountability for Bishops through the Council of Bishops.

The Traditionalist Plan Requires every Bishop, annual conference, clergy, and ministry candidate to certify that they will uphold, enforce, and maintain the Discipline's standards on LGBTQ marriage and ordination. Believing that the human sexuality disagreement is one of the most significant in American culture today, this plan allows for there to be two (or more) different Wesleyan bodies who teach differently on the question of Christian marriage between same gender persons.

The Traditionalist Plan Allows churches to leave the denomination and keep their property, assets, and liabilities in exchange for a payment to the annual conference of their fair share of the conference’s unfunded pension liability. Those who disagree with the disciplinary mandates, as a group of people, as a conference, as a local church or whoever, would be offered the opportunity to set up self-governing or “autonomous, affiliated or concordant” churches or conferences.

The United Methodist Church New Self–Governing Church New Self–Governing Church The United Methodist Church

What do you find positive about this plan? What do you find troublesome? What would be the impact of this plan on Matthews UMC?

A Prayer for The United Methodist Church and The Commission on A Way Forward Gracious God, you are the source of all life and giver of all good and perfect gifts. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, and with your Holy Spirit, you have drawn us together to be your church, to be a witness to the world of your glory, to reflect your love, and to convey your grace. We thank you especially for The United Methodist Church, and its ongoing commitment to both social holiness and vital piety.

We remember that your desire is for us to be in relationships with one another that are life giving and soul renewing. Yet, we have allowed our kinship to others to be defined more by our differences than by our commonalities. Forgive us, O God, for our thinking, conditioned in us by a culture beset by winners and losers. Show us the way of love, which is the only way that saves and the only basis for relationships in your kingdom.

O God, we pray for your church O God, we pray for your church. We pray for those who have been marginalized by Christians on the basis of their sexual orientation. We pray for a return to Biblical literacy as a standard for discipleship. We pray for a renewal of the church's witness, that it may not be governed by culture, but a transformer of it. We pray for the people called Methodist, that as your Spirit guides each of us toward perfection in love, we might move closer to holiness in heart and life.

Over the days ahead, illuminate my heart through prayer, and guide me in praying for The United Methodist Church … and show me how I might make your love real in ways that Reach, Teach, Praise and Serve … both significant and small, for the sake of your kingdom.   Amen.