Dilemma of the Church conversation
Dilemma of the Church
Group Study and Conversation
Our denomination, The United Methodist Church will meet at General Conference in September 2022. At that time, proposals will be made to General Conference regarding the church’s stance on the issue of homosexuality as it relates to same-sex marriage and the ordination of professing and practicing homosexuals. This issue has deeply divided the United Methodist Church.
In the near future, each congregation and each pastor will be asked to choose which side of this controversy they will align themselves. This has the ability to severely split the Church and will have repercussions for every congregation in the future.
It is important for our congregation to take the time to study the issue before the church and have discussion concerning what the Scriptures say and where we are as a church as we confront this practice.
You are invited and I urge you to participate in this conversation. The Leadership and I are planning opportunities this Fall to facilitate discussion on the matter of homosexuality through the eyes of Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience (The Wesleyan Quadrilateral)
“The Dilemma of the Church –
The Practice of Homosexuality”
Group Study
Week 1: Introduction: How are we divided?
What is the Dilemma?/
Week 2: Scripture: Divided Over the Bible
UMC understanding of Scripture/Specific passages on homosexuality
Week 3: Tradition: Divided Over the Church’s Past
UMC understanding of Tradition/ Homosexuality and UM Tradition
Week 4: Experience: Divided over the Spirit’s Work
Challenges/LGBTQAI Experiences
Pastoral Acts of Conscience/Invoking the Holy Spirit
Week 5: Reason: Divided over Evidence
The Church studies Homosexuality
Cultural Changes
Week 6: Conclusion: Resolving our Divisions?
2016 General Conference/Aftermath of the 2016 General Conference/Proposed Plans/2022 General Conference/What will the future look like?
Study Dates:
Sundays, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7.
9:15 am before worship – Lead by Pastor Linda
Wednesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10.
6:30 pm, on Zoom – Lead by Pastor Linda
Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 842 6994 4669
Passcode: 042876