James W. Lane
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In a 5-4 decision handed down April 28, 2006, The Judicial Council continues its conservative turn to the right. “The United Methodist Judicial Council has rejected appeals to reconsider two decisions that have created much debate within the church. The council voted not to revisit Decisions 1031 and 1032, issued last October and related to the case of the Rev. Ed Johnson of South Hill (Va.) United Methodist Church, who blocked a practicing homosexual man from taking membership in the church.” I have already commented on this ruling. You can read those comments at < http://www.jimlane.org/Commentaries/Legislation.html> I attended General Conferences in the following years: 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000. The overarching drama of each of these quadrennial events centered around the issues of human sexuality. At each there were demonstrations by various groups advocating for inclusion of homosexual persons within the life of the church. Each vote of the delegates seemed to only grow more conservative on the issue. As the demonstrations grew more vocal and intense the delegation votes shifted more toward a much more conservative legislative stand. I attended several Jurisdictional gatherings at which strategy to overcome this incursion of what many considered to be sinful and unacceptable behavior into the life of the church was discussed. There were meetings of coalitions that the South Central Jurisdiction formed with the Southeastern Jurisdiction where strategies were agreed upon that produced lists of names of persons to be elected as General Conference Legislative Committee Chairs and officers. I remember that at least two of those General Conferences all of the Legislative Committee officers elected were on that list. The Committee officers determined the agendas and who did and did not speak from the plenary. The 2004 General Conference went even further to the right, with open dialogue about a schism in the church. During 2005 we went through the nomination of two new members of the Supreme Court of the United States. Much of the debate centered on the personal beliefs, writings and rulings of those nominated and subsequently confirmed after long and heated debate in the Congress of the United States. It is no accident that our form of church governance mirrors that of these United States since we were birthed together. We have a General Conference, Council of Bishops and a Judicial Council. Like the Supreme Court of the United States - - the Judicial Council is asked to rule on all that we do to make sure that it meets constitutional muster. The members of The Judicial Council are elected at the plenary sessions of the General Conferences. There is a day when all are nominated from the floor. Then their pictures and profiles are published in The Daily Christian Advocate. You need to know that these nominations are not just happenstance. Much political thought has gone into the background and records of those nominated. After the nominations are made and the profiles shared then the political maneuvering begins. Each caucus group circulates flyers and handouts telling whom you need to vote for to accomplish their agenda. I am not advocating that this system is either right or wrong - - that is just the way it is. In my experience - - beginning in 1984 these elections have produced a much more conservative Council. It its current ruling the Council said: “In our considered opinion, it is time for the issues addressed in Decision 1032 to now be debated by The United Methodist Church as is occurring” The wagons are beginning to circle, yet again, as we hunker down and prepare for the 2008 General Conference. The fabric and fibre, of the movement of a people called Methodist, have survived the ravages of conflict before - - and, by the Grace of God, will again! A Jim Lane Commentary May 2, 2006 |
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