The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, saw a group within its leadership being criticised by fellow Methodists after the panel proposed that the denomination's law book be changed to remove prohibitions against homosexual behavior and to allow its clergy to officiate same-sex ceremonies.
The group, called the Connectional Table, voted 26-10 on Monday to present its proposed amendment during the denomination's General Conference next year. During that assembly, the proposal would be put to a vote.
The proposal seeks to allow church members who are open and practicing homosexuals to serve as clergy, removing any mention of homosexual behavior as being a violation of biblical laws or being "incompatible with Christian teachings."
The proposal also seeks to give the clergy the authority to preside over same-sex wedding ceremonies.
The United Methodist Reporter viewed the proposal as a "third way" or a compromise over the clashing opinions surrounding homosexual behavior.
"Our hope is that [the Table's proposal] will provide an alternative for the General Conference to consider that helps strengthen the unity of the church and allows us to move forward together as a denomination so that we can focus on our mission," Table chairman Bishop Bruce Ough said.
However, some members of the denomination have expressed concern over the new proposal, warning that it will undermine the standards of righteousness that pastors are meant to exemplify and uphold.
"If we're going to condone the practice of homosexuality, what's stopping us from allowing pastors to commit adultery without rebuke? Why not let drunken revilers lead kids to church? Why not give greedy thieves and extortioners the responsibility [to handle] church finances?" asked Jennifer Leclaire of Charisma Magazine.
"The point is, practicing homosexuality is not the only sin the Bible calls out in this verse, as so many gay rights activists like to stress. So why does the sinful practice of homosexuality, then, get special protection?" she asked.
Leclaire said if even just one sin is accepted by the church, it would eventually destroy the church. "If we're going to let our pastors engage in homosexuality at will, condone it and have the audacity to declare that it doesn't contradict God's will, what's preventing us from throwing the Ten Commandments out of the window?" she asked.
"Pastors are supposed to 'teach God's people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean' (Ezek. 44:23). Instead, far too many are calling evil good and good evil and exchanging darkness for light and light for darkness (Is. 5:20)," Leclaire said. "We can't just stand by and point fingers of disdain and watch."
