New England UMs Respond To Schismatic New England DeclarationFrom: Rick&Sharon Boyden fishnet@uninets.net
Dear Rev. Warrener, Attached is a copy of the Open letter. Feel free to publish it on your page. Could you set it up so that people can copy it to circulate in their churches and put a spot for people to sign it? I would like to get feedback regarding any signatures that are attached to it. I think we ought to get local churches to sign it and then have each submit a copy of it to Cross Currents. It would be nice though to keep a copy of all the signatures as well.
I have a number of concerns regarding this issue: 1) Lot's of people have been misled (by pastors) regarding the homosexual issue and don't really know what is true. 2) Homosexuals are being kept in bondage because it's pretty hard to repent of something that you are continually told is good. 3) The U. Meth. Church is going to have to answer for the part they played in that. I for one don't want to deal with that. I've said numerous times when people accuse those who don't support the homosexual lifestyle that I'm not afraid of homosexuals but I am afraid of the consequences for the United Methodist Church if they don't change their ways. God doesn't take too kindly to churches that keep people from Him. Feel free to keep in touch, I write (with my husbands assistance) in response to things like this because I get frustrated that you either get things that support heresy, or you get a harsh approach that may be true but won't be listened to by those in the average church because it is condemning or attacking. Sometimes we attack the wrong people. I'm more concerned with results, changed lives, changed attitudes than with "being right". Thanks for your interest. |
An Open Letter to the New England Annual ConferenceResponse to the New England Declaration 2000 At the Annual Conference Session in June a document was presented that has caused a lot of conflict within the conference and grief to our spirits. This letter is in response to that Declaration. We, too, believe that as Christians, we are called to embody God’s love (as manifested by Jesus Christ) in the world and to extend God’s welcoming love to all. However, we differ greatly in what we believe that means and how that is accomplished. It seems that care and sensitivity for the feelings of others and desire to please has been substituted for God’s love. God’s love for us is communicated in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross. That’s serious business, it’s about life and death, not what feels good. Jesus gave His life to free us from sin, reconcile us to God, and give us eternal life. As Christians, we have journeyed through the cross to the throne of God, we have experienced His love and are responsible to share that with others and show them the way to experience it for themselves. When Jesus dealt with the woman caught in adultery, God’s love was expressed as "...neither do I condemn you." "Go now and leave your life of sin." God’s love takes people where they are; leads them away from their sin into a relationship with God and the promise of eternal life.We serve the Almighty God who sees the affliction of the oppressed, who hears their cry, who knows their sorrows, and who comes to deliver them - and we are grieved when those who claim to serve such a God - deny the deliverance He offers to those whose cry He has heard. Because we know that: God is a just God but in His love for us, He desires that none should perish; Jesus is the only way to that salvation and He has the power to change lives today; through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live a life pleasing to God; the Word of God has authority over Christian living and the Book of Discipline is the rule of the church, subject only to the Word of God, we cannot stand idly by and watch people being misled, in the name of Christ. We affirm the sincere concern of those whose purpose for signing the New England Declaration is that the homosexual community might feel loved and welcomed in the church so that they will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and come to know the Lord of Life. We affirm the desire of people in the homosexual community to be reconciled by the church. But the church has misled them by allowing them to think that is synonymous with what they truly desire - reconciliation with God. We are all subject, as human beings, to the temptations of life that cause us to succumb to our desires for things that we know in our hearts are wrong and self-destructive. Sexual immorality is but one of those desires, we all stand in need of reconciliation. True reconciliation only comes about when we recognize our weakness, desire to change and then accept Jesus’ sacrifice that we might be forgiven and reunited with God. It is only when we have allowed Jesus Christ to be first in our lives that true change - transformation - takes place, and we experience reconciliation with God and peace in our hearts.We affirm the statement in the Book of Discipline that "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching" and because we believe that to be true...We affirm the statement in the Book of Discipline which forbids the performance of same-sex unions by our pastors and in our churches. We will not be a party to misleading people regarding the grace and mercy of God and condoning the celebration of sin in the church.We affirm the statement in the Book of Discipline which forbids the ordination and appointment of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals . Our pastors are seen as God’s representatives, as those who best know God. When we allow weaknesses to be exalted, sin to be promoted, we do a serious disservice to to those we are called to serve. Jesus said when a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into the pit. Allowing persons who refuse to deal with these weaknesses in themselves to lead others in the church will lead us all into the pit. Our pastors should be the best examples of Christian Discipleship in the church, human but striving for perfection, (as they all vow in the ordination process) not changing church policy to allow for their weaknesses.We affirm the statement in the Book of Discipline that requires our pastors to maintain fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness. We stand in opposition to Bishops, District Superintendents, and those in positions of authority in our church, who choose not to enforce the Disciplinary mandates and especially those who chose to ignore the fact that some of the pastors they appoint make no effort to disguise that they are practicing homosexuals. They close their eyes & ears so that they don’t see or hear the "self- avowed" part and therefore knowingly appoint pastors who are actively and intentionally disobedient to the Book of Discipline and the Word of God. (According to the Book of Discipline, a self-avowed practicing homosexual is one who openly acknowledges to a Bishop, a District Superintendent, the District Committee on Ordained Ministry, the Board of Ordained Ministry or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual) By their weak response or inaction, they have violated the essence of the Discipline that they vow to uphold. Our churches are paying the price for their failure and they need to be held accountable.The church has a mandate from God to lead people to Jesus Christ - that is our sole purpose for existing. In the process of doing that, we are called to prepare their hearts by serving and meeting their needs. We have done a grave disservice to the very people we have been called to serve and lead out of captivity when we try to convince them that it’s good to be in captivity and that God designed it that way. Shame on you who repent of racism and cry out loudly against sexism only to keep homosexuals in a different kind of slavery, slavery to sin. We take our stand with Jesus Who said He was sent "to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed." (Luke 4:18b) and with Moses when he stood up to Pharaoh, as directed by God, and said, "Let My People Go!" |
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| click to endorse the statement please include your name and church |
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Endorsementsclick
to endorse the statement |
| Jeffrey Hall Hartwick UMC, Hartwick, NY |
| Donald Eiken 25634 S. Ribbonwood Dr. Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 Sun Lakes United Methodist Church |
| Rev. Thomas Bentum Fairfield United Methodist Church Fairfield, Maine Coordinator for The New England Conference Confessing Movement Association |
| Rev. Robert Leon Chebeague United Methodist Church |
| Diane C. Leon Chebeague UMC |
| Richard L. Kuhn, Jr. Lay Speaker and Chairman, Council on Ministries Langdale UMC Valley, AL |
| I agree with the statement. It makes it very clear that we can love the
sinner without embracing the sin. May God heal our church and may the true
reconciler, Jesus Christ, liberate us all from our sins whether it be
homosexuality or anything else.
Kyle P. Quinn, Declared Candidate for Elder |
| I wholeheartedly endore the Columbus Affirmation!
Pastor David V. Ford |
| Dr. Ronald A. Greilich (ret clergy) California/Nevada Annual Conference 1480 Santa Ana Ave. Clovis, CA 93611-4049 |
| I endorse this thoughtful response to the New England Declaration. Charles L. Harrell, M.Div., Ph.D. Senior Pastor, St. Paul UM Church Lusby, Maryland |
| when I became a member of the UMC, no one asked me my sexual orientation. If a
homosexual came through our door, and didn't act out, we wouldn't know the difference. I
fully endorse the feelings of the body, we don't need this crap to be flaunted before our
kids, and in our church. If a homosexual wanted to repent of his misdeeds, it would be a
different story, but that is not the case. They want to rub our noses in their
homosexuality, have parades, have meetings, etc. like it were a badge of honor. If we have
pastors or persons in high office in the church, who openly flaunt their homosexuality,
fire them immediately, if not sooner. Howard V. Miller Fairfield Center UMC Fairfield Center Maine. hmmawtvl@mint.net |
| Please add my endorsement. Consider this also a call for our Bishops to end their less than inspiring, institutional silence. Steven H. Zinser Endorsed Chaplain |
| My name is Glen Spann. I am an ordained elder in full connection; my Annual Conference
is the Texas Annual Conference. I am on appointment beyond the local church at Asbury
College in Wilmore, KY, where I am a professor. I also serve a church part-time here in
the Kentucky Conference; that church is Gunn's Chapel, a congregation very much in
sympathy with your statement and a congregation which in the past has taken a very public
stand against the homosexual agenda in our church. I am also a member of the advisory
board for UMAction. May God bless you. |
| I want to add my endorsement to the Open Letter response to the New England
Declaration. I belive that this letter is a well crafted response to the Declaration. I
believe General Conference actions dictate the position of the UM Church and those wishing
to stand outside need to be called to accountability. I believe, as other writers have
stated, that in a connectional church response from through the connection are valid.
Thank you for taking the time and effort needed for sharing this response. In Christ, Rev. Larry A. Hakes Albany UMC, Albany, WI |
| I was at the Annual Conference at which the original New England Declaration was
presented. Pastors I knew as well as Lay came forward to support it. I felt ambushed with
no other way of expressing my belief that what had been presented was not of God. I could
only sit when they called for people to stand in support. At the time it was my only way
of saying this rebellion, at what General Conference had discerned as God's heart for the
UMC, was fundamentally wrong. I experienced a grieving of the Holy Spirit within my
spirit. My husband and I welcome the opportunity to endorse what we believe. Striving to be Faithful to God's Leading, Laurie and Phil Perkins Carter Memorial UMC Needham, MA |
| By endorsing this statement we become in the current vernacular "haters."
But, how can we love sinners, whether homosexual sinners or heterosexual sinners and allow
them to continue unchallenged in their sins? By affirming homosexuality, those who claim
to love homosexuals only entrench them in their sin. This is not love. I heartily endorse
this statement. Thank you for writing it. Jada D. L. Hodgson Osawatomie First United Methodist Church Osawatomie, Kansas |
| I am grateful for the excellent response to the
New England Declaration. I support it in both tone and content. It is a well-crafted
statement, faithful to Biblical truth, and unapologetic in spirit. James V. Heidinger II 118 Fairway Drive, Nicholasville, KY 40356 |
| I fully endorse your open letter in response to the "New England
Declaration" The NE Declaration does not speak for all in New England. There is great confusion in the church because of the word tolerance. Being tolerant does not imply agreement with the statement. Nor does disagreement imply intolerance and "hate". The full truth of God's word declared will be viewed by the world as intolerant. We must stand for what is true. God hates sinfulness of any kind, yet if we recognize our sinfulness and depend on God to cleanse us and keep us through the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can be truly free. I hope this letter will get as wide a distribution as the "Declaration" had. In Christ, Larry Berg Carter |
| I endorse this statement. My name is Merriel Oliver and I attend the Tunkhannock, PA United Methodist Church. |
| Bob Farmer Bethesda UMC Damascus, MD |
| I endorse fully your "Open Letter...". Douglas George - Cristian Education Advocate Carter Memorial UMC Needham, Ma. In addition I would like to point out the following to those of us who accept the truth of the sinfullness of homosexuallity and don't stand up for it. 1. We are commanded by the Lord to "let our light shine...". Not to do so is against His will. 2. If we truly care for those brothers and sisters of ours who are stuck in this lifestyle and we do nothing to bring them to repentance, then we don't have the selfless love of Jesus Christ in us. 3. The most often used defense I've encountered amongst Christians who support homosexuality is the fact that Jesus never spoke on the subject. They should read Matt 5: 17-20. By His Spirit: |
| Dear Friends, Your open letter to the New England Annual Conference deserves a full endorsement. I want to be counted as supporting your condemnation of the so-called New England Declaration 2000. It is a sad day when persons who claim to espouse the gospel of salvation actually participate in encouraging self-imposed slavery. Instead of helping young people avoid the pit of sodomy, instead of rescuing those who have succumbed, they would offer through ecclesiastical fiat a newfangled statutory relief that cannot possibly stand the test of time. Just as our General Conference repented of its past sins in support of racial slavery, the day will come when support of sexual slavery will call for repentance. Every effort, including your thorough and excellent response, should be made to point out the error and harm done by those who issued the "declaration." But, if there is no change in their position or willingness to support the denomination's rule, it behooves the church to remove the signers from our ranks. There are times when integrity (of those on both sides of moral issues) is more important than unity, else that unity is a sham, that gives no honor to the Christ. In the Master's Name, Charles F. Cooley, member West Ohio United Methodist Annual Conference 4922 Honeysuckle Blvd. Columbus, Ohio 43230 |
| We fully endorse this at the Rio Linda Community United Methodist Church in the CA/NV Conference. We have lost members and funding because of the lack of enforcement of the Discipline. We are continuing at an accelerating rate to lose evangelical pastor's, members, and sometimes the overwhelming majority of entire congregations who support the position of the UMC but are in a conference & jurisdiction in open defiance of the law of the Church. Rev. Richard E. Pitcher |
| Wesley Putnam General evangelist 1320 Brown Trail Bedford, TX 76022 817-285-8008 |
| Earlier today I signed on in support of this refutation of the NE Declaration, but I
didn't provide any "feedback". Early in this "Open Letter", the
document states that God "...desires that none should perish...", obviously
referring to Second Peter, Chapter 3. I've heard many UM clergy cite this fragment as though it were an entire verse unto itself. They seem baffled when I ask them to finish the sentence ("...but that all should come to repentance.") The repentance is necessary; without it there is no salvation. So with this suggested addition, I wholeheartedly support this Open Letter. I pray (from here in the Western Jurisdiction while praying is still authorized :) ) that the New England area and other conferences and jurisdictions being lulled into complacency by the Deceiver will arise and walk in the light of Jesus' love. Pat Bailey Bremerton WA k7kbn@web-o.net |
| Donald B. Benson, Ph.D., M.Div. Woodside United Methodist Church Mamers, North Carolina |
| Neil Gastonguay EverGreen/Fairfield Center UMCs |
| I endorse this Reponse to the New England Declaration. Lisa Gastonguay EverGreen United Methodist Fellowship Pittsfield, Maine |
| Pat Bailey Silverdale UMC |
| Denise E. Downing Chichester UMC Chichester NH. |
| Rev. Bradley C. Knepp 16 Hilltop Drive Mt Holly Springs, PA 17065 Pastor, Mt. Holly Springs UMC bcknepp@pa.net Isaiah 5:20 -- "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" |
| I endorse the Response to the New England Declaration written by Sharon Boyden. Rev. Stephen E. Bascom, Sr. Centenary UMC Skowhegan, ME |
| I pray for more endorsements from the New England churches. The Bible dictates
right from wrong and we need to follow it. We need to spend our time living and
proclaiming God's word, not looking for ways to get around it. Robbin R. Grill 143 High Street Boscawen, NH 03303-2807 Chichester UMC, Chichester, NH |
| Gods call to be obedient requires standing for the faith in unpleasant and difficult
times. Today is such a time and the "Open Letter to the NEC" conveys obedience to Gods will. Standing for the faith will insure that the called are attacked and called names or worse yet that is the place for Gods children in these human feeling led times. In Jesus who makes us whole tom weathers Lay Speaker and Lay Leader Tuolumne UMC Tuolumne Ca. |
| Fernando Q. Gouvea Pleasant Street UMC Waterville, ME |
| I completely endorse this response to the New England Annual Conference. John Cadman People's United Methodist Church So. Portland, ME 04106 |
| A very articulate statement! Fred and Dianne Yosua Peoples UMC, South Portland, ME |
| Melissa Yosua Peoples United Methodist Church, South Portland, Maine |
| I ENDORSE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THE DECLARATION IN RESPONSE TO THE BALTIMORE DECLARATION. REGARDS, REV.JERRY PUTNAM SENIOR PASTOR ASBURY UMC DENTON, TX. |
| Lorraine Fitzpatrick Brownville Jct. United Methodist Church |
| I wish to add my name to the Open Letter by Sharon Boyden. Rev. Daniel V. Weaver, Exeter United Methdodist Church, Exeter, NH |
| Russell C. Wentling 17 General Lawrence Rd. South Yarmouth, MA 02664 Retired Elder, Eastern PA Conf. Let us be like Phineas, of whom it was said that he was as zealous for the honor of God as is God Himself |
| At last! This letter is the answer to our prayers. The New England Declaration had left us feeling discouraged and questioning where the UMC was really heading. To sit in silence is not the answer nor if we hide our heads in the sand will it go away. It is our turn to speak and we will he heard. Stephen Dean Brownville Junction UMC, Brownville Jct. Maine Glenna Dean Northern Maine District, New England Conference (Certified Lay Speakers) |
| I strongly endorse this response to the New England Deceleration Alan R. Grill Chichester United Methodist Church "But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Thank You. Alan R. Grill |
| Robbin R. Grill Chichester UMC Chichester, NH |
| I endorse the statement as written. Marie B. Quale Corinth United Methodist Church Corinth, Maine 04427 |
| I affirm this declaration. Barry Hallman, pastor, Henryville UMC |
| Edward and Georgia Smart, Howland UMC, Howland, Maine |
| John and Charlene French, Corinth United Methodist Church, E. Corinth, Maine |
| Judith Bascom Centenary UMC Skowhegan ME. |
| I endorse this response to the New England Declaration written by Sharon Boydon, I do
so as an individual , not as a representative of my local congregation. I stand by Romans
3:23, " For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I serve a
living Redeemer, who came to set the captives free and to those who were in bondage, sweet
liberty! God is more than able! Judith Bascom Centenary United Methodist Church Skowhegan ME. |
| Rev. Walter R. Webb Trinity and New Sharon United Methodist Churches Farmington, Maine |
| I fully support this compassionate yet bold response which articulates much of what I
have been discerning needs to be said - Praise the Lord someone has the motivation to say
this, since so many of us feel the same ! Rev. Michael Pike revmpike@msn.com Corinth United Methodist Church Box 17 Corinth ME 04427 (207)285-3557 or 285-3515 (home) www.forministry.com/04427cumc |
| I fervently endorse this response to the New England Annual Conference. Jesus welcomed
all sinners who chose to accept His free gift of salvation, but He and the Apostles did
not teach that after conversion it was all right to continue in a habitual practice of
sin. The Church needs to uphold this divinely revealed truth from Scripture in Holy Spirit
boldness. Gary Loy, B.A., O.S.L. |
| Mickey Phillips Holly Pond UMC Holly Pond, AL |
| Joan Ritta 1st UMC Heber Springs, AR |
| I affirm the statement. Rudy Guess, Gardendale-Mt. Vernon, North Alabama |
| Russ Knight Celebration Church (Non-denominational) Perry FL If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:26-31). |
| Jake Barker & Charlotte Armstrong-Barker First UMC Checotah, Oklahoma 1 Kings 15: 11-12 And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made |
| Due to our connectional nature, I feel it is my business what happens in New England. Therefore, I strongly endorse this statement of reaction to the "New England Declaration". Rev. J. S. Graham Dawson Springs FUMC Kentucky Conference |
| Pastor R. K. Vineyard Oceana/Sun Hill Charge Oceana, WV |
| Thomas Illman, local church lay speaker Vasa UMC (Finland-Swedish Provisional Annual Conference) |
| I most heartily agree with this statement. Joe McManus First United Methodist Church Goliad, Texas "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." Jude 1:20 |
| The Rev. Dr. C. Karen Covey Moore Pastor, Peniel UMC Newport, DE NEJ Coordinator, Confessing Movement |
| James Gibson Marshallville United Methodist Church Marshallville, GA |
| Tom Graffagnino Hamilton UMC Hamilton, GA |
| John Warrener Palmyra Road, UMC Albany, GA |
| I offer my wholehearted endorsement of this statment. "Ye Shall Know
the Truth and the Truth will make you free." I pray for
all who are in bondage to sin to find the Santifying Power of the Holy Spirit that Makes
them free. Dwain Whitehurst, Elder |
| Rev. Roy E. Jacobsen, Trinity UMC, Windsor, CT NY Conference |
| Luke Callaway St. Mark UMC Atlanta, GA |
| We are concerned Methodist's from Saint Luke's in Fresno, CA. We stand by your
declaration. Methodists from all over the United States, were is your outrage, stand up
and let your bishops know how you feel about what is going on in conferences all over the
United States. Michelle and Randy Griggs |
| Rev. Jeffrey Foster Hohenwald Circuit United Methodist Church 112 Cedar St. Hohenwald, TN 38462 |
| This statement says everything that I wish I had said. Therefore, I pray that everyone
who reads this statement will endorse it. We are charged with making disciples of all
peoples and that includes bringing ALL us sinners into the loving arms of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ, who died for those sins. Barry M. Watkins Gibson Corners United Methodist Church (NY) |
| Norman Carter Hot Springs Village AR |
| Richard Dalfiume Nichols UMC Nichols, NY |
| the Rev. John M. Dunnack Conference Confessing Coordinator Red Lion UMC Bear, DE 19701 |
| William W. Hamilton Bethany United Methodist Church Smyrna, GA 30080 |
| I strongly endorse this statement. Robert H. Klingerman Cokesbury UMC Knoxville TN |
| Bill Wells First UMC Johnson City, TN 37604 |
| Rev. Carson Daniel Lauffer 1500 Rock Run Drive #3D Crest Hill, Illinois 60435 815-744-3912 |
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