The 2008 General Conference met in Fort Worth, Texas in the spring for ten days. The Conference reaffirmed the church’s position on human sexuality stating that: “Sexual relations are affirmed only within the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.” The phrase, “We do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching” was also reaffirmed as the church’s official position regarding homosexuality.

Another very important issue debated had to do with the question of church membership. The issue was whether the pastor has authority in determining readiness for church membership, or whether the pastor is to “faithfully receive all persons willing to take membership vows” (suggesting the final authority is the person taking the vows). Does the pastor have discretion in matters of membership, or not? Behind the argument is the matter where one pastor denied membership to a practicing homosexual and that pastor was relieved of his pulpit and the case went all the way to the Judicial Council. The argument is that this matter is not about practicing homosexuals but about standards in general.

The issue was decided that the local pastor does have the authority to determine a person’s readiness for church membership.

In other action, the Conference retained the position that United Methodist ministers are not to perform same-sex marriages and self-avowed, practicing homosexuals shall not be ordained or appointed to a church. Also, no apportionment funds will be used to promote the cause of homosexuality.

Regarding the issue of abortion, the church retained the position that the life of the unborn child is to be protected at all costs, the only exception is if the well-being of the mother is threatened.

The General Conference is attended by the worldwide United Methodist Church. It was evident that the vote of the African Conferences was crucial. One African delegate was heard to remark, “Today we saved the church.” Another said, “This is why we are here.” The liberal elements of the church promptly proposed the exclusion of the worldwide United Methodists in future General Conferences. This issue will be debated by local Annual Conferences in the years to come.

An interesting observation regarding the media, not one word has been reported as to the General Conference’s decisions. Perhaps the reasoning on the part of the media is that by not reporting the decisions of the second-largest Protestant Church, no one will see the obvious contradiction of the Episcopal Church’s official position regarding homosexuality.

Randy Mickler