By Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell
The Judicial Council has ruled that the "structural" changes for the denomination that emerged from the 2008 General Conference must first, "harmonize...content with the rest of the Book of Discipline". They ruled, new legislation is necessary.
My sisters and brothers in Christ, on matters of gender, race and sexual orientation, historically General Conference legislation has placed in the Book of Discipline language "out of harmony" with our professed view that "all persons are of sacred worth". We came to understand that on matters of gender and race. Now is the time for us to understand that and act in new ways on matters of sexual orientation!
A dictionary definition of dissonance is; "An inharmonious combination of sounds, discord. Any lack of harmony or agreement."
For most of my 75 years as a Methodist/United Methodist, our denomination has been "out of harmony" with the spirit of inclusivity that is writ large in Scripture and in our Book of Discipline. While Scripture and much of the Discipline proclaimed equality and justice, we passed legislation that relegated women and blacks to secondary status. We changed that vis-a-vis women and blacks as General Conference enacted, new equality/justice legislation. It is past time for us to do that on matters of sexual orientation and same gender commitments.
I am not a gifted singer or musician, but I "know" dissonance and the absence of harmony when I hear, read and see it in action. I think most United Methodists are now weary of our denomination being "out of harmony" in response to some of our most gifted and committed members. The 2012 General Conference will bring about change, and we must now begin to act, knowing that "a new day is a 'coming".
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
