Norwegian Response to GC2019
Last week, 88 professing members from 15 different congregations in the Norwegian Annual Conference (pastors, deacons and lay members of Metodistkirken I Norge) have presented formal legislation to the Norwegian Annual Conference 2019, that “The Annual Conference 2019 establishes a committee that will present to the annual conference 2021, possible alternative models that give LGBTQ + persons the same opportunity to enter into marriage and to serve in the Methodist Church in Norway, on the same basis as other members of the church.” In addition to the 88, a petition is circulating on the web where members and friends of the church can support the proposal. This petition has so far gathered 135 names, and it will continue until the AC starts in the middle of June.
While the numbers may be not impressive
Here
Legislation to the 2019 Norwegian Annual Conference
BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL:
Based on our interpretation of the Bible, and with the support of personal experience, we sincerely believe that God already blesses
After the General Conference in St. Louis, we realize that the Methodist Church in Norway, through its affiliation with the United Methodist Church, must live with the church’s current attitude to homosexual practices, and continue to refuse marriage and ordination of LGBTQ + persons.
Because we believe this is an assault on LGBTQ + people inside and outside the church,
… because we believe this is contrary to the basic message of the Church of God’s love for, and acceptance of, all mankind created God’s image,
… because we believe this is in the way of the Methodist Church being able to
WE PRESENT THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL to the Methodist Church’s Annual Conference 2019:
The annual conference 2019 establishes a committee that will present to the annual conference 2021 possible alternative models that give LGBTQ + persons the same opportunity to enter into marriage and to serve in the Methodist Church in Norway, on the same basis as other members of the church.
The committee’s mandate is to identify what opportunities the Norwegian Methodist churches have to achieve this, within or outside the United Methodist Church, and to promote concrete proposals. The committee will also describe how the Norwegian Annual Conference, if necessary, can leave the United Methodist Church. The Committee shall assess the consequences of the various alternatives, organizationally and economically.
In its work, the committee will keep itself informed of
The committee will consist of three ordained (
The committee will work with the greatest possible openness and transparency. To keep costs down, extensive use of digital communication is required, but the committee should be given a framework that allows up to three open
Your turn
We are seeing a rising tide of these now:
Our global church has some serious decisions to make if it wants to continue to be a global one.
Thoughts?
Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing on social media.
I applaud the German and Norwegian UMC clergy is doing
I pray the US does the same. Methodists are supposed to be open, loving and accepting.
I agree. I’ve been waiting for my church to stand up and be counted – and I’m looking at what the other churches in my area are saying and doing. I expect to be changing my membership this summer – I will not stand idly by on this topic.
I used the emoji for sad because I am so sad that our beloved denomination has come to this. I am glad that they are takingking this stand as are many US conferences and pastors.
I fully agree. I think there was room for all under a ‘big tent’ option. I can work and worship quite confidently alongside people who believe otherwise.
But I do expect my church to stand up for what is right (based on my application of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, I stand firmly in one camp). My church has decided to meekly go along, and I will not do so.
JEG ER GLAD FOR NORSK METODIST KIRKENS STANS! I am glad for the Norwegian Methodist Church’s stance! I served the Norwegian Methodist Church 1966-67 with appointment to the church in Notodden (since merged with Porsgrunn) and traveled as the leader of the “Ungdoms Aar” (Youth year). My wife, Marilyn, and I had a wonderful experience sharing experiences in Methodist Churches all over Norway. Interesting to read through the list of Norwegians who have signed the action. We know several of the persons and commend them. We are also aware that with the passing of 52 years since that appointment in Norway, there is a strong new generation of leaders in the Methodist Church in Norway! PTL! (Praise the Lord!) We’ve visited Norway several times since 1967, but not with appointment in the church. Due to the stance of The United Methodist Church, I have moved my ordination credentials to the United Church of Christ in the USA. This denomination is open to ALL of God’s children! MAA GUD VELSIGNE KIRKEN I NORGE! May God bless the church in Norway!
Why don’t they simply exit and form their own Norwegian Methodist Conference and do what they want? What good is a connection if you are not really connected spiritually or doctrinally? Sounds like a farce.
Thanks for posts this Jeremy. Perhaps it indicates that you also have come to the conclusion that Progressives leaving the UMC is a proper solution to the situation.
That actually begs a question: we know that we have a significant count of progressives in the US and Europe, while the Traditionalists are dominant in Africa and BELIEVED to be a minority in the US. The overall count is only marginally in favor of the Traditionalists worldwide.
There are certainly a lot of moderates out there, ones who presumably don’t care as much for the drama and just want to keep on keeping on. (I don’t think they are going to be able to play Switzerland too easily on this for much longer).
The Traditionalists have a nominally stronger hand here due to the holdings in the Book of Discipline and the worldwide vote… but it’s pretty marginal as far as that goes. I wonder where the counts are – by Jurisdiction, by Annual Conference, by District, by Church?
I would suggest that every subunit of the UMC ought to figure out where they stand, and it would be a good idea to get that all tabulated prior to the next General Conference. If there’s going to be a managed split, it sure would help to know who and where the people stand.