Bishops issue pastoral letter
in advance of General Conference
PITTSBURGH (Newscope) -- Meeting prior to the opening of General
Conference, the Council of Bishops agreed April 27 to a pastoral letter
expressing a call for Christian conferencing. The letter referred to a number of
issues that have arisen in the months leading up to this conference.
First, bishops mentioned the difficulties faced by many
delegates from outside the United States, primarily related to the challenge of
obtaining visas necessary for travel to the States. The council also named the
tension of financial and mission needs as well as the recent church trial in the
Pacific Northwest Conference.
The bishops did not go into specifics on any of these
contentious issues but described themselves as a family.
"That means we love each other, we listen to each other, and
sometimes we vigorously disagree with each other," the bishops said in their
letter.
"On some issues, including human sexuality, we are not of one
opinion. At the same time, we are united in our commitment to Jesus Christ. We
are united in our commitment to practice and advocate unity. We are united in
our commitment to uphold The Book of Discipline.
"We are united in our conviction that the critical issues will
not be ultimately resolved with legislation. We will find the answers in
Christ-like love, expressed in dialogue, mutual respect, and a humble search for
the mind of God. Schism is not a part of God's plan for the church.
…
We pray that the General Conference will do its work in the same spirit
of mutual respect and unity."
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