Today, the United Methodist Churches Judicial Council will convene to deliberate about the legality of the election of the first openly-LGBT+ Bishop in the church. Karen Oliveto was elected to serve as the Bishop of the Mountain Sky Area of the Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church last summer, and since has been faithfully and actively carrying out her duties as Bishop throughout Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.
According to the leaders of the Western Jurisdiction, Olivteo was elected, not as a social or political statement, but because of her “gifts and graces”. On paper, Oliveto is highly-qualified for the position: She was the pastor of one of the United Methodist Churches largest congregations, Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco for eight years, and has a lifetime of faithful commitment to the church. However, since her election, many Methodist leaders have deeply disapproved of her appointment, citing the United Methodist Churches official Book of Discipline, which states:
“The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.”
Due to the United Methodist Churches complex denominational structure, there is much debate over whether or not this statement prevents independent jurisdictions within the church from appointing whoever they feel led to ordained ministry. This is the matter that the Judicial Council will be discussing today as they gather in New Jersey.
As the council gathers to make their decision today, it is hard not feel a sense of sadness and urgency as an LGBT+ Christian minister. The United Methodist Church has been on the forefront of much social progress within Christianity over the years, and as they approach the question of whether or not LGBT+ people are seen as equals in the eyes of God and the Church, it’s hard not to acknowledge just how behind the denomination is on this front. The Holy Spirit has been working in and through the lives of LGBT+ Christian leaders for decades in our nation, bringing about significant social and theological progress. If the United Methodist Church votes to remove Bishop Oliveto from her position, it will certainly solidify it’s place in the annals of history as a denomination that resisted the Spirit of God and perpetuated destructive theology and practice towards sexual and gender minorities.
At the same time, if the Judicial Council decides that Bishop Oliveto’s appointment should stand, it will likely result in a schism within the United Methodist Church. While this would certainly be a terrible blow towards the unity of the church, it seems to me that it might be the best decision for the time being. The traditionalist United Methodist leaders from around the country have only grown more intense in their opposition to LGBT+ inclusion over the past decade, and the harm that is being done by these churches and leaders is unimaginable. It is time that LGBT+ Christians around the country see a group of Christians take a stand for their lives, their dignity, and their equality, regardless of the cost. After all, this is what Jesus himself demonstrated in every aspect of his life and ministry- solidarity with the marginalized, even when it cost him greatly.
Please don’t mishear me: I deeply desire the Church of Jesus Christ to be one. But unity has far too long been an excuse for allowing discrimination and abuse to flourish in Christian communities, and it seems to me that nothing would have infuriated Jesus more than to see those bearing his name continue to exclude and abuse sexual and gender minorities for the sake of maintaining the status quo. As the judicial council gathers today, I am praying for their boldness and receptiveness to hear the Spirit’s call for progress, inclusion, and equality, regardless of the cost. For this election is far bigger than Bishop Oliveto- it’s about the equality and dignity of all of God’s Children at the table of Grace.
Today, the United Methodist Church will make a decision that will affect its place in the world for the foreseeable future. Will they stand for justice, equality, and peace? Or seek to conserve outdated and destructive policies and principles for the sake of appeasing traditionalists? Only time will tell.