Decision 1032

The Judicial Council decision 1032 which backed up Ed Johnson in his refusal to allow a gay man to join South Hill United Methodist Church.

There are a lot of Methodists that do not want GLBT people to be clergy but do not have an issue with GLBT Christians being full members in the church. There are also plenty on both ends of the spectrum and those who generally don't concern themselves much with what happens beyond their local congregation.

The real change that I think 1032 has stirred is moving some of those folks that generally don't worry about the larger church and the ones that desire full lay member rights but not clergy rights for GLBT people have taken notice.

Several of the people that attended the Reconciling Ministries meetings in Central Arkansas a couple of weeks ago stated that it was decision 1032 that got them interested in the program. There has been a larger than usual number of new Reconciling Congregations & ministries since decision 1032. It appears that the Judicial Council not rehearing the case is spurring another round of groups into action.

I expect that General Conference will address the issue of membership in the church. I do not expect any major changes concerning clergy this coming GC, but I do expect that GC will likely allow lay membership for GLBT people.