Congregation embraces transgender minister as his secret is rev...

The Rev. David Weekley and his wife Deborah share a quiet moment at Epworth United Methodist Church Sunday morning after telling his congregation the story of his life.

[Coolmind]

very good!

[ScottyMatic]

A very powerful and touching story.

But it seems so incongruous that Rev. Weekley would have chosen the Methodist Church in which to serve, considering it is a denomination which specifically codifies in it's rules from the top that gay people are not allowed to be members of the church.

The cruel irony is that while the Methodist Church rejects gay people, it doesn't specifically reject transgender people... but Rev. Weekley's coming out (as only the second trans clergyman in the congregation) may be the impetus for more conservative Methodists to push for transgender exclusion in the upcoming 2012 conference, as sex-and-gender issues become more bitterly devisive in non-LGBT-accepting denominations everywhere.

[Inquisitarian]

ScottyMatic wrote:

But it seems so incongruous that Rev. Weekley would have chosen the Methodist Church in which to serve, considering it is a denomination which specifically codifies in it's rules from the top that gay people are not allowed to be members of the church.

Just to be clear, the ban on gay membership is not so explicit as "no gay members", but comes in the form of a statement that homosexual behavior is incompatible with Christian teaching. Since the church's high court upheld a Virginia minister's refusal to receive an openly gay man as a member, it's pretty clear that the aforementioned statement is being interpreted and applied as a ban - perhaps just not consistently from congregation to congregation.

The separation of homosexual behavior from orientation and identity is an unfortunately typical position of Christian church's that seek to appear "welcoming" while continuing to characterize sexual expression outside of one man/one woman marriage as "sin".

[nhjeff]

Inquisitarian wrote:

<quoted text>
Just to be clear, the ban on gay membership is not so explicit as "no gay members", but comes in the form of a statement that homosexual behavior is incompatible with Christian teaching. Since the church's high court upheld a Virginia minister's refusal to receive an openly gay man as a member, it's pretty clear that the aforementioned statement is being interpreted and applied as a ban - perhaps just not consistently from congregation to congregation.
The separation of homosexual behavior from orientation and identity is an unfortunately typical position of Christian church's that seek to appear "welcoming" while continuing to characterize sexual expression outside of one man/one woman marriage as "sin".

Many Methodist Churches are welcoming--or "reconciling--" to gays and lesbians. Anti-gay attitudes were one of the reasons my parents finally left the Methodist Church that I grew up with. Since then, my mother has been "recruited" with explanations of how the leadership has changed and how its youth outreach specifically includes gays and lesbians.

She didn't bite, but it's good to know that individual churches have been changing, and eventually the whole denomination will.

Oh, btw, my own commitment ceremony--in 1994--was performed by an ordained Methodist minister.

[Inquisitarian]

nhjeff wrote:

<quoted text>
Many Methodist Churches are welcoming--or "reconciling--" to gays and lesbians. Anti-gay attitudes were one of the reasons my parents finally left the Methodist Church that I grew up with. Since then, my mother has been "recruited" with explanations of how the leadership has changed and how its youth outreach specifically includes gays and lesbians.
She didn't bite, but it's good to know that individual churches have been changing, and eventually the whole denomination will.
Oh, btw, my own commitment ceremony--in 1994--was performed by an ordained Methodist minister.

Well, being an agnostic I don't see myself ever going back to church. But even if I did consider it, any church having an official position that my relationship is incompatible with their teaching certainly wouldn't even get a first look.

[flbadcatowner]

ScottyMatic wrote:

A very powerful and touching story.
But it seems so incongruous that Rev. Weekley would have chosen the Methodist Church in which to serve, considering it is a denomination which specifically codifies in it's rules from the top that gay people are not allowed to be members of the church.
The cruel irony is that while the Methodist Church rejects gay people, it doesn't specifically reject transgender people... but Rev. Weekley's coming out (as only the second trans clergyman in the congregation) may be the impetus for more conservative Methodists to push for transgender exclusion in the upcoming 2012 conference, as sex-and-gender issues become more bitterly devisive in non-LGBT-accepting denominations everywhere.

The United Methodist Church is not that strongly against homosexuality. The last time the issue of homosexual clergy was voted on, about a third of those voting supported gay clergymen. If you are against homosexual clergy, you might want to consider a church that is more strongly opposed to homosexuality.

[Ms Tara]

ScottyMatic wrote:

A very powerful and touching story.
But it seems so incongruous that Rev. Weekley would have chosen the Methodist Church in which to serve, considering it is a denomination which specifically codifies in it's rules from the top that gay people are not allowed to be members of the church.
The cruel irony is that while the Methodist Church rejects gay people, it doesn't specifically reject transgender people... but Rev. Weekley's coming out (as only the second trans clergyman in the congregation) may be the impetus for more conservative Methodists to push for transgender exclusion in the upcoming 2012 conference, as sex-and-gender issues become more bitterly devisive in non-LGBT-accepting denominations everywhere.

while, it is quite encouraging to know that at least one congregation did not drive a transgendered person out. I agree that it may drive the opposition to step up their efforts of exclusion of LGBT people.

I remain optimistic and hope that will not be the case.

[OldSchoolMethodi st]

I cant understand why homosexuals keep attempting to force their way into the UMC. Why would someone who is not a practicing and actively repentant Christian desire to be part of a religious organization that expressly forbids homosexual sexual practices.
In all actuality this would be the same concept as a jewish man desiring to be a member of the aryan nations.

[OldSchoolMethodi st]

And why doesnt the United Methodist Council of Bishops do something about the problem of homosexuality in the church.

Each one of the bishops should be forced to make a public statement where he or she either affirms one of the following:

(01) Affirms that homosexuality is a sexual preversion and or abomination before God.
(02) Denies that homosexuality is a sexual perversion and or abomination before God.

The bishops who refuse to affirm that homosexuality is a sexual perversion should be given a 24 hour period to publicly repent of their spritual transgression or be fired with the full surrender of their ministerial credentials and retirement benefits.

[Quest]

OldSchoolMethodist wrote:

I cant understand why homosexuals keep attempting to force their way into the UMC. Why would someone who is not a practicing and actively repentant Christian desire to be part of a religious organization that expressly forbids homosexual sexual practices.
In all actuality this would be the same concept as a jewish man desiring to be a member of the aryan nations.

Perhaps because gay folks, and trans folks, are born as we are.

If you are raised in a church, and that church means much to you, don't you think it's a sad thing to be driven out of it, for something you cannot change, and never chose?

We rarely try to "force our way in", but sad bigots like you try to drive us out.

Do you really believe that this is God's plan? To drive gay Christians from Jesus' side, and to prevent other queer folks from ever knowing Christ?

Somehow, I think you are missing the entire point of your faith.

[Quest]

OldSchoolMethodist wrote:

And why doesnt the United Methodist Council of Bishops do something about the problem of homosexuality in the church.
Each one of the bishops should be forced to make a public statement where he or she either affirms one of the following:
(01) Affirms that homosexuality is a sexual preversion and or abomination before God.
(02) Denies that homosexuality is a sexual perversion and or abomination before God.
The bishops who refuse to affirm that homosexuality is a sexual perversion should be given a 24 hour period to publicly repent of their spritual transgression or be fired with the full surrender of their ministerial credentials and retirement benefits.

No gay person, or trans person, chooses their orientation. Do you really believe that God creates some people just to damn them?

If so, you serve a sick a twisted god. Thankfully, my Lord Jesus Christ will forgive your blasphemy, if you choose to let it go.

[Pamela in red]

I'm Methodist and this doesn't surprise me.

What surprises me is what this has to do with Asian Americans? Some of the threads they put in the AA forum makes absolutely no sense what so ever.

[mak from NYC]

Pamela in red wrote:

I'm Methodist and this doesn't surprise me.
What surprises me is what this has to do with Asian Americans? Some of the threads they put in the AA forum makes absolutely no sense what so ever.

Yep,

Those news items also get posted on multiple forums so they won't go away easily.

[Pamela in red]

mak from NYC wrote:

<quoted text>
Yep,
Those news items also get posted on multiple forums so they won't go away easily.

I can see putting it in more than one forum but it should be relevant to the forum title. It makes sense to put it in Religion, Gay and Lesbian, Top Stories and even Human Sexuality forums.

I didn't even see it in Top Stories.

Oh well, they didn't ask my opinion.

[Emelye Waldherr]

OldSchoolMethodist wrote:

I cant understand why homosexuals keep attempting to force their way into the UMC. Why would someone who is not a practicing and actively repentant Christian desire to be part of a religious organization that expressly forbids homosexual sexual practices.
In all actuality this would be the same concept as a jewish man desiring to be a member of the aryan nations.

To claim that Christianity is only for heterosexual and cissexual people flies in the face of the inclusiveness that Jesus taught. To make the claim that TLBG people cannot be Christian by their very nature is outright chauvinism and bigotry.

I didn't leave my church many years ago, they left me. I'm fortunate, however, that I have since found faith communities that are as loving and inclusive as Jesus was.

[Fred]

Emelye Waldherr wrote:

<quoted text>
To claim that Christianity is only for heterosexual and cissexual people flies in the face of the inclusiveness that Jesus taught. To make the claim that TLBG people cannot be Christian by their very nature is outright chauvinism and bigotry.
I didn't leave my church many years ago, they left me. I'm fortunate, however, that I have since found faith communities that are as loving and inclusive as Jesus was.

You will NEVER change God's Word, which repeatedly condemns all homosexual acts and says those who do not repent go to hell.

[Spider]

Pamela in red wrote:

I'm Methodist and this doesn't surprise me.
What surprises me is what this has to do with Asian Americans? Some of the threads they put in the AA forum makes absolutely no sense what so ever.

If you read the news article under discussion you will discover that the congregation of Rev. Weekley's church is Asian American.
http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/stor...

[Spider]

Fred wrote:

<quoted text>You will NEVER change God's Word, which repeatedly condemns all homosexual acts and says those who do not repent go to hell.

Our God is the God of Unconditional Love. Try it you'll like it.

[Wolfgang E B]

Milkboy, you're perpetuating the false notion that transgender people are actually gays and lesbians who change our sex in order to become straight. This is far from the truth. In fact, for most of us, sexual orientation is of no consideration in the decision to transition. Some of us are even gay or lesbian in relation to our gender identity, appearing straight to others prior to transition.

Sexual orientation and gender identity are two different things.

[Emelye Waldherr]

Fred wrote:

<quoted text>You will NEVER change God's Word, which repeatedly condemns all homosexual acts and says those who do not repent go to hell.

Fred, first of all this discussion is about a transsexual man who is a minister of God. Secondly, the Bible is full of contradictions and error put in by the humans that wrote it and translated it. They were human, they couldn't help it. Good thing God gave us minds and hearts in order to winnow out the error and gain the truth. Perhaps you should try yours?