Unforgivable?
What is “the unforgivable sin”? Have you ever worried that you might have unknowingly committed it? Is the unforgivable sin a “sin of commission,” i.e., one that you actively do? Or is it a “sin of omission,” something that you intentionally choose NOT to do? Is it blasphemy? Apostasy? Heresy? Pederasty? Sodomy? Murder? Suicide?
This coming Sunday, I’ll explore this complex and controversial subject. My take may not be one you’ve heard before. I hope to see you in person, but if you can’t join us at Centenary, take a little time to visit with us online.
Pastor Vann
Notable Quotes from the 2024 NC Annual Conference
From Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton’s Opening Address on June 13
Our world desperately needs a witness that people with differing perspectives can love and respect one another. Might the United Methodist Church embrace our role in the world? Might we be THE witness?
I’m deeply aware that many congregations in North Carolina do not see yourselves welcoming a gay pastor. If your church is in that category, don’t be misinformed. As is our practice, the Cabinet would never intentionally send any pastor to a church who would not welcome them.
Some churches cannot see yourself hosting a gay wedding at your church. The changes in The Book of Discipline do not force pastors or churches to act contrary to their conscience. Clergy have ALWAYS discerned what weddings they would officiate. And now clergy and laity will discern TOGETHER in the local church’s missional context, about weddings.
We all agree to love; that’s the non-negotiable. That’s the non-negotiable: We all agree to love.
Let me have a little aside here. Churches—please don’t leap into writing policies right now regarding same-gender weddings. Hammering out wedding policies is done through relationships with real people. Don’t create unnecessary division in your church over hypothetical weddings. And churches who are welcoming same-gender weddings, be good connectional partners to our more traditional United Methodist churches should they reach out to you for support for maybe someone who’s a part of their community.
Let’s do this connectional work well together. We are connected through Christ, we need one another, and we need to learn from one another.
Comments