Contested Spaces – Bishops, Conferences, and Policy Debates
Leadership within the UMC has often found itself at the heart of the LGBTQ+ inclusion debate. Bishops and other leaders have faced the challenge of balancing their roles as enforcers of church law with their personal convictions about justice and equality. The Letter to the Clergy of the Rocky Mountain Conference (1981) provides a compelling example of this tension. Written by Bishop Melvin E. Wheatley Jr., the letter defends his decision to appoint Julian Rush, a gay man, to a pastoral role in the Rocky Mountain Conference. Wheatley’s letter is both a theological reflection and an institutional argument, asserting that sexual orientation does not diminish one’s calling to ministry. He frames his decision as consistent with the church’s broader mission to love and serve all people.
The article After Wheatley, What? examines the fallout from Bishop Melvin E. Wheatley Jr.'s 1981 decision to appoint Julian Rush, an openly gay pastor, to a position in the Rocky Mountain Conference of the UMC. This controversial appointment challenged the denomination's official stance that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” While some praised Wheatley’s decision as a bold act of justice and theological integrity, others condemned it as a violation of church law and an erosion of traditional values. The article highlights how this moment deepened divisions within the church over inclusivity, doctrine, and the authority of bishops.
Contextualizing this decision within broader cultural and ecclesiastical debates, After Wheatley, What? explores its impact on future leadership, regional conferences, and grassroots advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion. It captures a pivotal moment in the UMC’s history, reflecting on the complexities of navigating change within a global denomination. As an archival record, the article documents both the courage and conflict that have shaped the church’s ongoing struggle with LGBTQ+ rights.
A Model for Thinking Theologically About Homosexuality by M. Kent Millard, presented to the Dakotas Area General and Jurisdictional Delegates in 1980, reflects the UMC’s efforts to approach human sexuality through theological exploration rather than conflict. Written during a time of growing tension over homosexuality, the report provides a framework for addressing these issues through education, dialogue, and reflection. Millard emphasizes the need to engage thoughtfully, guided by the Wesleyan Quadrilateral—Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.
The report critiques simplistic interpretations of Scripture, advocating for a nuanced understanding that considers historical and cultural contexts. Millard calls for integrating biblical interpretation with insights from behavioral sciences, historical analysis, and personal testimony. He argues that such an approach enables the church to apply biblical teachings with compassion and justice in contemporary society, fostering a deeper understanding of human sexuality beyond literal readings of Scripture.
One of the report’s key contributions is its call for congregations to engage in study and dialogue. Millard recounts how his South Dakota church held study sessions using resources like the Kinsey Report and theological materials, creating a safe space for open conversations. He underscores the importance of reducing fear and prejudice through such processes while challenging blanket prohibitions on LGBTQ+ individuals in ministry. The report remains relevant for its model of addressing complex issues with theological reflection, education, and a focus on relationships rooted in love and justice.
The California-Nevada United Methodist Review from April 1999 illustrates the United Methodist Church’s ongoing struggle over LGBTQ+ inclusion, focusing on the repercussions of the holy union ceremony for Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton. Held earlier that year, this ceremony, officiated by 69 UMC clergy, was a bold act of defiance against the denomination’s prohibition of same-sex unions. The review provides a comprehensive examination of the controversy, documenting the formal complaints filed against the clergy involved, the reactions of church leadership, and the broader implications for the UMC.
The review situates this event within a larger conversation about the UMC’s identity, mission, and ability to navigate cultural and theological change. Bishop Melvin Talbert’s response to the complaints reflects the tension between upholding church law and addressing what many viewed as a moral injustice. While referring the complaints to the Conference Committee on Investigation, Talbert also called for ongoing dialogue and discernment, emphasizing the need for the church to wrestle with the complex realities of human sexuality in a spirit of compassion and humility.
The document also highlights the role of district convocations in fostering dialogue among clergy and laypeople. These gatherings, described as opportunities to “name the elephants in the room,” aimed to address the deep divisions within the conference over LGBTQ+ inclusion and the broader implications of the church’s policies. By focusing on open communication and relationship-building, the convocations sought to model a way forward for the denomination.
The Confessing Movement Newsletter, April-July 2018 provides a window into the theological and cultural tensions within the United Methodist Church during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The document reflects the Confessing Movement’s efforts to preserve what it considers the core tenets of traditional Christian doctrine in the face of evolving societal attitudes, particularly regarding human sexuality. This movement arose as a response to what its members perceived as a drift away from biblical authority and orthodox theology within the UMC.
In this newsletter, the Confessing Movement addresses the ongoing debates over homosexuality within the UMC, critiquing proposals to adopt more inclusive stances, such as removing restrictive language about homosexuality from the Book of Discipline or allowing local congregations to set their policies on same-sex marriage and ordination. These efforts are framed as departures from biblical teaching and threats to the church's unity and doctrinal integrity. The newsletter discusses legislative efforts, the role of bishops, and broader cultural shifts while emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of church law. Positioning itself as both a theological watchdog and an advocacy group for traditionalist perspectives, the Confessing Movement calls out what it views as failures by some clergy and conferences to uphold denominational standards, reflecting its mission to steer the UMC toward a more faithful adherence to scriptural authority.
This newsletter displays the strategies, rhetoric, and theological underpinnings of one of the denomination’s more conservative factions, providing insight into the broader cultural and religious forces shaping the church’s debates on human sexuality. This document complements other archival materials by illustrating the deep divisions within the UMC and the efforts of various groups to influence the church’s direction.