Resolution: Open to All
Resolution to Reject the Traditional Plan
First Methodist is committed to being an open community of faith welcoming all people, including those who are LGTBQIA+. In contrast, our United Methodist Book of Discipline holds that “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching;” forbids same-sex marriages in our churches or officiated by our clergy; and denies ordination to those who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.” At General Conference 2019, the denomination passed the Traditional Plan, upholding that language and enacting specific penalties for violations of the Book of Discipline regarding homosexuality. Due to our denomination’s stance, First Methodist and the Open Door were denied a booth at Bloomington Pride Fest 2019. On August 26, 2019, our Church Council overwhelmingly passed the following resolution rejecting the Traditional Plan and making clear to the Bloomington community our desire to welcome all people. We repent and apologize to our LGBTQIA+ siblings for the harm that has been done, and we seek a more inclusive church together.
First United Methodist Resolution: Rejection of the Traditional Plan
We, the Church Council of First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, IN (“First Methodist”), on behalf of its congregation, hereby recognize and state the following:
The United Methodist Church has an important tradition of nuance in the matter of biblical interpretation (such as displayed in its treatment of slavery, divorce, and the ordination of women) but reverts to simplistic literalism when addressing full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons in its life and ministry;
And, The United Methodist Church has singled out LGBTQIA+ persons and those who support full inclusion for special punitive actions;
And, even though seven petitions within the Traditional Plan were ruled unconstitutional before it was presented for a vote at the 2019 General Conference, and that lack of constitutionality was upheld by the Judicial Council in April of 2019;
And, the first general rule John Wesley gave the people called Methodists was, “Do no harm;”
And, United Methodists promise in their baptisms “to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves;”
And, by passing the Traditional Plan, the denomination has done great, and perhaps irreparable, harm to our LGBTQIA+ brothers and sisters;
And, by passing the Traditional Plan, the denomination has done great harm to our witness to Bloomington and the world as to the unconditional and inclusive love of Christ;
And, the use of Southeast District and Indiana Conference funds for complaints, just resolutions, and church trials for issues related to LGBTQIA+ ordinations and marriages will divert funds needed to do the vital work of the mission and ministry of the church.