On Sunday, September 24, 2017 members of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Austin, Texas, adopted a resolution to discontinue marriage ceremonies at its facilities in order to align its wedding policies with its strongly-held principle of full inclusion of all persons, according to their official website. The house of worship is formally affiliated with the United Methodist Church, which does not permit clergy to officiate same-sex weddings.
This resolution creates a policy that treats weddings of opposite-sex and same-sex couples equally but does not violate the Book of Discipline which constitutes the law and doctrine of the United Methodist Church. The measure was approved by 93% of the members present and voting. As a result of the policy change, the church announced that no new marriage ceremonies will be planned.
The Book of Discipline promotes, among other things, inclusiveness, and one of their principles is that ‘all persons are of sacred worth.’ Inclusiveness means openness acceptance, and support that enables all persons to participate in the life of the Church, the community, and the world; therefore, inclusiveness denies every semblance of discrimination. The services of worship of every local church of The United Methodist Church shall be open to all persons.
On the other hand, the denomination’s Book of Discipline holds that “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” “Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.”
In its resolution, the Austin church argued that the denomination’s policies regarding marriage and sexuality “are incompatible with the inclusive teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as our United Methodist Constitution, and are fundamentally contrary to our mission and to our service to each member of the church.”
“As a church we are in covenant together, and we all seek to follow Jesus who set the example for loving sacrifice,” Pastor Fuerst said in a statement following the vote. “Our congregation voted overwhelmingly to stand not for issues or principles, but for people.”
According to the FUMC official website, the church has been devoted to the spread of equality for all Christians for almost four decades. Since 1972, the United Methodist Church has adopted a series of denominational laws which are adverse to LGBTQ people, saying that the practice of homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teachings,” prohibiting same-sex marriages by United Methodist clergy or in United Methodist facilities, and prohibiting gay and lesbian clergy. FUMC, on the other hand, has been affirming and extending Christian love to LGBTQ people since the 1980s.
FUMC will continue to work with other UMC congregations in Texas and beyond to advocate for change in United Methodist Church policies that discriminate against LGBTQ persons.
Photo Credits: FUMC Austin
