So why are we still listening to "debate" on whether or not homosexual behavior is a sin?  Is there no authority in the UMC leadership?  Hello?  Is anybody home at the UMC leadership?  Hello?  Council of Bishops, are you there?   Your flock needs a shepherd!

Below are excerpts from the titled article:

Minister returning after suspension
June 30, 2000
BY ERNEST TUCKER RELIGION REPORTER

Today is moving day for the Rev. Greg Dell, ending his one-year
suspension for performing a same-sex "marriage" as pastor of
the Broadway United Methodist Church in Lake View.

While Dell is transferring his belongings only about 20
yards--from the "In All Things Charity" office to his old
pastoral digs next door at 3344 N. Broadway--he is crossing a
chasm dividing United Methodists in their treatment of gays and
lesbians.

While he doesn't know how the denomination as a whole will
respond, he promised he won't stick around for another church
trial if Methodists charge him following a same-sex service.

"I don't consider the Methodists my employers, but my family,"
he said. "Sometimes, if the family becomes abusive, you have to
dust off your sandals and leave."

Editorial comment by Mike G:  He was quoted before GC2000 that
"someone will be leaving the UMC after GC2000."  So, when is he
going to keep his promise, and end his assault on Christianity
in the UMC?

Dell has said he will meet with members of his congregation who
have expressed an interest in same-sex ceremonies.

"As long as I'm still doing weddings for straight couples, I
will work with gays and lesbians." He said he would perform "a
service of holy union or a service of wedding. We've got to be
clear it doesn't have the legal standing it does for a straight
couple. . . . I don't want to play word games with people."

Next, an editorial by Phil Wogaman (Bill & Hillary's pastor at Foundry UMC in Washington, D.C.)

Below are excerpts from the titled article:

UMNS #310-Faith and Life commentary: The troubled conscience of the church

A UMNS Commentary
By the Rev. Phil Wogaman

The deep reason why the church's conscience is troubled on the
issue of homosexuality is that everybody has tried to fix
church teaching prematurely. The evidence just isn't all in
yet. We don't yet even know for sure why some people are
homosexual while most are heterosexual. We haven't yet listened
enough to the quiet testimony of people who have lived
responsible Christian lives as gay or lesbian. We haven't
struggled enough yet with how to interpret the Bible. Most
United Methodists - including the conservatives - are not
biblical literalists. But we all take the Bible seriously and
need to think more carefully about how to apply its deeper
teachings to the divisive issues at hand.

No comment required, right?  Well, how about one comment:  In the above excerpt, I think we can agree with Phil on only one phrase of one sentence, which is "we all take the Bible seriously."  Other than this one phrase, the remainder of the paragraph is unfounded bologna.