FUMC, Omaha NE, "Policy on Marriage Equality"

It has been a while since I have posted anything here, ok I have posted one item on this blog so far, and this one will make number 2. The mainline denominations here in America are struggling with the issue of homosexuality. I for one do not see why the churches are struggling. It is not a race issue, or a sex issue, rather it is an issue of personal preference. The bible spells it out clearly in both the old and new testaments. However, some churches do not head to the writings in the bible. One such church is the First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. The Charge Conference adopted a document called “Policy on Marriage Equality.” (There is a link below.) It skirts the issue of the United Methodist Discipline (the Methodist book of regulations). I have written a letter to that Church, their Bishop, and the Council of Bishops. The letter is below. The e-mail addresses for the church and the bishop are below, feel free to contact them and tell them what you think.

I have read a copy of your “Policy on Marriage Equality” a document that was apparently approved by Charge Conference, May 7, 2006. In my opinion that stance that this document takes is a kin to “thumbing your nose” towards the United Methodist Church, as well as The Book of Discipline. I find it reprehensible that a church body would approve such a document and take a stance as this. Perhaps you are skating around the issue in the book of discipline, you are not skating around the bible, In Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus says, “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has goined together, let man not separate.’” You will note that is this passage Jesus does not say that the man will leave his parents and marry his husband, nor does it say that a woman will leave her parents and marry her wife. Rather this verse clearly distinguishes that marriages in God’s eyes is between one man and one woman. Does this not send out mixed signals about Christianity? Are you not causing your flock to stumble and fall? It is one thing to love and embrace the sinner, and an entirely different matter to embrace the sin. Your church has embraced the sin, and I pray that you lead no one astray by your actions.


First United Methodist Church Contact
RobertaCoss@fumcomaha.org
Annual Conference Contact
info@umcneb.org