Raymond James: Methodist rejection

I was somewhat disillusioned when I saw the May 22 news article “Methodists avoid schism over LGBTQ stance – for now” and discovered the powers that be in the Methodist hierarchy had determined at this year’s General Conference that the church would not allow the LGBTQ community to be ordained, nor may Methodist bishops or pastors join same-sex couples in matrimony (a constitutional right extended recently by the United States Supreme Court).

Perhaps the Methodist hierarchy is taking cues from our legislature. As a member at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, I was disappointed a few months back when our church voted to not become a reconciling church (this from a church that is “sharing Christ from the heart of Durham”).

While our church’s welcoming statement, indeed, extends an open invitation to the LGBTQ community, the undertones of rejection to become a reconciling church intimates that is nothing more than lip service.

I would hope that some of those hard hearts sitting in our pews on Sunday morning remember that Christ ministered to “all,” not just those who look like us, dress like us and live like us.

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Raymond James: Methodist rejection."