November 3, 2005

Bishop Coyner's statement
on pastoral letter

Dear United Methodist friends in the Indiana Area: 

Many persons have written, e-mailed or called with their concerns about the publicity surrounding decisions this week by the Judicial Council, which is the "supreme court" of our United Methodist Church. Let me share my own perspective on this case.

The Judicial Council's rulings dealt with the case of a Virginia pastor who was disciplined by his bishop and his clergy colleagues for refusing to admit a homosexual layperson into the membership of his congregation. It is a complicated case which involved not just the issue of homosexuality, but also the responsibility of a pastor to determine when a person is ready to become a member of a local church, as well as the processes used to discipline the pastor. The Judicial Council overturned the processes used by the Virginia Conference during which the pastor was placed on Involuntary Leave of Absence by a vote of 85 percent of the Clergy Session of that conference. The Judicial Council also upheld the right of a pastor to determine the readiness of a person to be received as a member of a local church.

In response to these decisions by the Judicial Council, the Council of Bishops has issued a "pastoral letter" which calls for all of our churches to be places of hospitality. The Council of Bishops does not have the authority to overturn the decisions of the Judicial Council or even to ask for reconsideration. Only those parties directly involved in the Virginia case may ask for reconsideration by the Judicial Council. At this time, I do not know if any of the parties involved will ask for reconsideration. There is no appeal process for any decisions by the Judicial Council, other than the General Conference (which also elects the members of the Judicial Council) taking action to change any particular paragraphs of our Book of Discipline.

In spite of the confusion and concerns of many persons, I believe that these decisions do not in any way change the standard in our Book of Discipline (Paragraph 4) which states that "The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection." That standard, imbedded within the Constitution of our United Methodist Church, is the ultimate reason why our church declares itself to have "open hearts, open minds, and open doors."

Bishop Michael J. Coyner,
Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church

"Making a Difference ...
in Indiana and the world"

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