DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
Bedford United Methodist September 15th, 2022
To All Members of Bedford United Methodist Church,
This year, the United Methodist Church is 54 years old. For 50 of its 54 years, the UMC has known ever-increasing levels of conflict regarding the authority and interpretation of the Bible, and the church’s doctrines and ethics. The current debate has focused on sexual ethics, the definition of marriage and ordination standards. That debate has become more heated and polarizing with each passing year. Over the past several years, two distinct positions have evolved.
The Traditionalist: those who believe in conformity to the Book of Discipline of the UMC and the scriptures which inspired it.
Book of Discipline Section 304.3 Qualifications for Ordination “While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in the UMC.”
The abandoning of these standards is seen as symptomatic of a bigger problem, the abandonment of the Book of Discipline, the inerrancy of the Word and the Divinity of Christ.
The Progressive: those who believe the Book of Discipline of the UMC is outdated and must revised to include homosexuality, LGGTQ+ and same sex marriage. Reference: umcnext.com
The time is approaching when every Methodist Church will be seeking God’s direction on where their congregation stands on the issues and whether their congregation will remain or separate from the United Methodist Church.
Recently there was a series of meetings for members of BUMC to express their views on the issues. To help members develop a further understanding of the issues, the board formed a committee to prepare an information package to help explain the issues. This information package will be made available to all church members. It will also be posted on the BUMC website and it will be updated periodically. (Go to the “Church Board” tab and then click on the “Denominational News” dropdown) You are encouraged to review this information when made available.
In Christ,
The Board
To All Members of Bedford United Methodist Church,
This year, the United Methodist Church is 54 years old. For 50 of its 54 years, the UMC has known ever-increasing levels of conflict regarding the authority and interpretation of the Bible, and the church’s doctrines and ethics. The current debate has focused on sexual ethics, the definition of marriage and ordination standards. That debate has become more heated and polarizing with each passing year. Over the past several years, two distinct positions have evolved.
The Traditionalist: those who believe in conformity to the Book of Discipline of the UMC and the scriptures which inspired it.
Book of Discipline Section 304.3 Qualifications for Ordination “While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in the UMC.”
The abandoning of these standards is seen as symptomatic of a bigger problem, the abandonment of the Book of Discipline, the inerrancy of the Word and the Divinity of Christ.
The Progressive: those who believe the Book of Discipline of the UMC is outdated and must revised to include homosexuality, LGGTQ+ and same sex marriage. Reference: umcnext.com
The time is approaching when every Methodist Church will be seeking God’s direction on where their congregation stands on the issues and whether their congregation will remain or separate from the United Methodist Church.
Recently there was a series of meetings for members of BUMC to express their views on the issues. To help members develop a further understanding of the issues, the board formed a committee to prepare an information package to help explain the issues. This information package will be made available to all church members. It will also be posted on the BUMC website and it will be updated periodically. (Go to the “Church Board” tab and then click on the “Denominational News” dropdown) You are encouraged to review this information when made available.
In Christ,
The Board
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