The Holston Conference has officially adopted the moratorium on church trials. We are monitoring the implementation of this policy to ensure that no complaints move forward while the broader church dialogue continues.
March 16, 2020
Final supporters
RESOLUTION
Whereas, the specially called General Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC), meeting in St. Louis, passed the Traditional Plan relative to the human sexuality issues facing the UMC, and
Whereas, the Traditional Plan prohibits pastors from performing same sex weddings and prohibits anyone who is part of the LBGTQ community from serving as a minister in the United Methodist Church, and
Whereas, the Traditional Plan also calls for violations of the “Traditional Plan” ban to be punished through the bringing of a complaint under paragraph 2553 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, and
Whereas, a way forward for The United Methodist Church relative to the human sexuality issue remains uncertain and in flux, and
Whereas, charging pastors with violations of the “No Same Sex Weddings” ban would cause harm to the individual pastor and to The United Methodist Church, and the long standing “incompatibility” language of The Book of Discipline.
Whereas, under the Traditional Plan, members of the LGBTQ community are prevented from serving as clergy in the Holston Conference, resulting in the loss of effective ministers from ever serving in Holston Conference,
Whereas, the Holston Annual Conference recognizes the harm that has been done by the enactment of the Traditional Plan, and
Whereas, Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, President of the United Methodist Church Council of Bishops, has suggested that there be a moratorium on church trials, and
Whereas, the entire Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church has announced that all of its conferences have placed a moratorium on church trials.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Holston Annual Conference enact a moratorium on church trials relative to complaints against pastors for violations of the Traditional Plan.
And, further, be it resolved that it is the will of the Holston Annual Conference that even if a complaint is brought against a pastor for violations of the Traditional Plan, the resident Bishop not act on that complaint.
Updates
February 17, 2020
The current level of support confirms that we have the necessary backing to formally present our resolution to the Holston Conference leadership. I am currently coordinating a meeting with the Bishop's office to discuss the timing of a review for these proposed changes.
Reached 100 supporters
February 17, 2020
42 Comments
Moratorium until we find a less draconian way to proceed. Every marriage and every ordination is unique.
The Traditional Plan is unnecessarily harsh and punitive. If the US Senate can decide to wait to appoint a Supreme Court justice until after a national election, we can on trials until after an intervening General Conference. (I'm also a cradle Methodist, going back several generations on my mom's side, and apparently I had an ancestor or two who were circuit riders from Tennessee who helped introduce Methodism to Texas.)
As a cradle Methodist and 5th generation Methodist clergy, I believe we need to have a moratorium until GC has met in May. From there, we shall see where we go. The above resolution will place a moratorium on the pain and suffering of clergy and laity alike.
I thought this was already in place. Disturbing that it takes another petition for Holston.
Our church was damaged and harmed by actions taken against our pastor. We were growing, we were ministering, we were living and bearing the fruits of the spirit, but the harmful language and actions taken against one of our own halted all messages of love. Please, for the sake of those souls hanging in the balance, set aside your “tradition”, set aside everything you were ever taught, set aside man made doctrine and follow your heart. History never remembers the “the status quo” so rise up and speak for those we have already lost that no longer have a voice. Rise up and stand on the side of love. The Christ wo came to save us, came to LOVE and SAVE us ALL - regardless, and unconditionally.
God loves everybody. Trust in God.
I don’t think I’ve signed this petition yet. I definitely support this moratorium.
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The Holston Conference has officially adopted the moratorium on church trials. We are monitoring the implementation of this policy to ensure that no complaints move forward while the broader church dialogue continues.
March 16, 2020
Final supporters
RESOLUTION
Whereas, the specially called General Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC), meeting in St. Louis, passed the Traditional Plan relative to the human sexuality issues facing the UMC, and
Whereas, the Traditional Plan prohibits pastors from performing same sex weddings and prohibits anyone who is part of the LBGTQ community from serving as a minister in the United Methodist Church, and
Whereas, the Traditional Plan also calls for violations of the “Traditional Plan” ban to be punished through the bringing of a complaint under paragraph 2553 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, and
Whereas, a way forward for The United Methodist Church relative to the human sexuality issue remains uncertain and in flux, and
Whereas, charging pastors with violations of the “No Same Sex Weddings” ban would cause harm to the individual pastor and to The United Methodist Church, and the long standing “incompatibility” language of The Book of Discipline.
Whereas, under the Traditional Plan, members of the LGBTQ community are prevented from serving as clergy in the Holston Conference, resulting in the loss of effective ministers from ever serving in Holston Conference,
Whereas, the Holston Annual Conference recognizes the harm that has been done by the enactment of the Traditional Plan, and
Whereas, Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, President of the United Methodist Church Council of Bishops, has suggested that there be a moratorium on church trials, and
Whereas, the entire Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church has announced that all of its conferences have placed a moratorium on church trials.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Holston Annual Conference enact a moratorium on church trials relative to complaints against pastors for violations of the Traditional Plan.
And, further, be it resolved that it is the will of the Holston Annual Conference that even if a complaint is brought against a pastor for violations of the Traditional Plan, the resident Bishop not act on that complaint.
Updates
February 17, 2020
The current level of support confirms that we have the necessary backing to formally present our resolution to the Holston Conference leadership. I am currently coordinating a meeting with the Bishop's office to discuss the timing of a review for these proposed changes.
Reached 100 supporters
February 17, 2020
42 Comments
If the traditional method goes through, I will leave the Methodist Church. I tithe, I teach Sunday School, and I have been an active participant in my church for over 20 years. However, I will not stay with a tradition that I do not believe reflects Jesus' teachings.
Moratorium until we find a less draconian way to proceed. Every marriage and every ordination is unique.
The Traditional Plan is unnecessarily harsh and punitive. If the US Senate can decide to wait to appoint a Supreme Court justice until after a national election, we can on trials until after an intervening General Conference. (I'm also a cradle Methodist, going back several generations on my mom's side, and apparently I had an ancestor or two who were circuit riders from Tennessee who helped introduce Methodism to Texas.)
As a cradle Methodist and 5th generation Methodist clergy, I believe we need to have a moratorium until GC has met in May. From there, we shall see where we go. The above resolution will place a moratorium on the pain and suffering of clergy and laity alike.
I thought this was already in place. Disturbing that it takes another petition for Holston.
Our church was damaged and harmed by actions taken against our pastor. We were growing, we were ministering, we were living and bearing the fruits of the spirit, but the harmful language and actions taken against one of our own halted all messages of love. Please, for the sake of those souls hanging in the balance, set aside your “tradition”, set aside everything you were ever taught, set aside man made doctrine and follow your heart. History never remembers the “the status quo” so rise up and speak for those we have already lost that no longer have a voice. Rise up and stand on the side of love. The Christ wo came to save us, came to LOVE and SAVE us ALL - regardless, and unconditionally.
God loves everybody. Trust in God.
I don’t think I’ve signed this petition yet. I definitely support this moratorium.
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If the traditional method goes through, I will leave the Methodist Church. I tithe, I teach Sunday School, and I have been an active participant in my church for over 20 years. However, I will not stay with a tradition that I do not believe reflects Jesus' teachings.