In my sermon on 9/15/19, I mention having substantive conversations with others regarding difficult issues in a way that is respectful, focuses on issues rather than demonization, and helps us learn about how those who disagree with us come to their points of view. In publishing this paper together, Chap Temple and I have sought to model that process. I hope you can learn something about how people with two different perspectives view same-sex marriage in the church.
Tom Pace
“But if I err, I want to err on the side of grace.” Amen!
And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34). We don’t have to all agree, but we DO have to love others we disagree with, no matter how hard it can be.
I loved your sermon today and totally appreciate your insistence that we need to think about this. I agree that St.Lukes is made up of a variety of people with all different beliefs. AND being able to talk about “difficult” subjects will help us all grow. I’m in my 70’s and “difficult” topics were ignored or not talked about years ago. My thinking is…as long as someone is happy, a good person, is a productive member of society….I could care less about their sexual orientation! Just my opinion.:)
Dear Tom:
I thank you for your message on Sunday and I truly believe we are better together. I so understand that for 20 years you have tried to stay publicly out of the debate as I had for years at MDPC serving as an elder and young advisor for over 20 years, I left MDPC after the discernment process and for their stance on this issue but other matters as well, Bruce and I have loved our involvement with St. Luke’s especially the way you and Katie handle this issue in such a loving and caring way. I read completely the 29 page discussion and totally agree with the Christ like way you responded to this issue. As a nurse for 43 years, it has become clear to me that same sex attraction is not a choice and to exclude a whole body of Christians is not the way Christ would have responded. Thank you for your honesty and leadership at St. Luke’s because you exhibit God’s love in a real and meaningful way.
Tom,
I really appreciate you taking the time necessary to articulate your thoughts so eloquently on this complex and controversial topic. For me fundamentally it’s an issue of fairness. If being gay is not a choice, instead, if there is a genetic predisposition for same sex attraction, then how is that any different than other classes of people who are identified by the color of their skin or gender? Unless homosexuals are afforded the same rights,privileges, and access that are routinely available to others it seems unfair and discriminatory. (Several years ago, one of the young pastors at St. Luke’s, I believe it was Eric, preached on Acts 8:26-40 the story of Philip and the Eunuch, with the admonition “Be careful who you discriminate against”. It was a sermon that resonates with me to this day.) Likewise, we are surely called to love our neighbors.In fact when they became my neighbors, friends, colleagues, and relatives I evolved on the issue.
Anyway, even if I disagreed with you, which I don’t, bless you for having the courage of your convictions for speaking out.
I found it interesting that both Dr. Pace and Dr. Temple agreed that homosexuality is not necessarily a social choice, but it is in some cases inherited. Hard to understand if Jesus wants us to deny someone a position in the church for an infliction they are born with? However, I realize that there are some who will never accept homosexuals. They are on the losing side of this disagreement as more of today’s society accepts the homosexual community…just as they accepted women and divorcees in the clergy. The real concern is will the United Methodist Church survive this crisis…My church is already dying and this issue may be the fatal blow!
Tom, Thank you for this gift! It really helps me to understand and discern where we as the Methodist Church are and more importantly where we should be.
Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate your call to dialog respectfully and authentically on all tough issues with no easy answer. I pray that God will give us the strength to do that in culture that does not encourage us to do so and that the Holy Spirit will lead us to the truth and away from the temptation of the Evil one.