John Wesley had only one condition previously required for those who wished to be admitted to the United Societies (small groups) of Methodism: “A desire to flee from the wrath to come, a desire to be saved from their sins.” Yet, Wesley quickly added that “wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will be shown by its fruits.” Repentance is one variety of those fruits. Further, Wesley required that those seeking membership respond to a series of probing questions including: “Have you the forgiveness of your sins?
Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion over you?” This is language of justifying grace. If clear lack of repentance and faith was apparent, admission was denied. If members failed to progress in sanctifying grace they were disciplined, and even expelled, from the societies.
In similar fashion, our United Methodist vows of membership place repentance in the first position. Persons to be received into membership in a local United Methodist congregation covenant together with God and the members of the local church to keep the vows, including the first: To renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of their sin.
In the circumstance that generated Judicial Council Decision 1032, the man who presented himself for membership was a practicing homosexual. The United Methodist Book of Discipline is clear in stating that while “homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth” and “all persons need the ministry and guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self,” yet “the United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Consistent with Wesley’s offering of the means of grace to all, the elder in charge welcomed the man to the worship, sacraments, fellowship, and programs of the church. However, in light of our Methodist heritage and the clear statement of the Discipline, the pastor recognized that examination of readiness for assuming the vows of membership was needed if the church was to be both a redeemed and redeeming fellowship. To offer grace without repentance is to reduce grace to mere acceptance without the power of the Holy Spirit to produce holiness of heart and life.
What I think is great about this is how it begins to explore the consequences of accepting into membership any person, regardless of behavior, attitude or belief, who is willing to publicly assume the vows. There is nothing to prevent persons who seek membership to attain their own ends, such as voting rights and access to social and economic benefits.
That the Methodist Council of Bishops objected to JDC 1032, despite the clear text in the United Methodist Book of Discipline that “homosexual practice is incompatible with Christian teaching,” shows how far the Bishops have strayed themselves from Christian teaching.
As we have seen in the Episcopal Church, the kind of people who are willing to take whatever vows necessary in order to gain rights and benefits then change the meaning of the church from a group committed to Christian teaching. Instead we see an elite group of liars committed to gain rights and benefits from the naive faithful whom they view with contempt.