Subject: Letter from Bishop Dyck Regarding Judicial Council Decision 1032

November 1, 2005

Dear Friends and Members of the Minnesota Annual Conference:

You may have learned that the United Methodist Judicial Council, which met last week, ruled that a Virginia United

Methodist pastor had the right to refuse church membership to a gay man on the basis of the man's sexual orientation.

I am struggling to understand this decision. Our United Methodist tradition affirms the Scriptural teaching that "whoever

believes in him [the Christ] may have eternal life" (John 3:15, 16). This is reflected in Article IV of the United Methodist

Church Constitution, which states that all persons are of sacred worth and shall be eligible to attend United Methodist

worship services, participate in our programs, receive the sacraments, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian

faith, become professing members in any local church in the United Methodist connection. Exclusion is strictly

prohibited in this constitutional article of our church.  

My fear is that the Judicial Council's decision will be used in ways that undermine the Wesleyan tradition of our church. I

am concerned that some pastors will refuse membership to those they deem unready due to sinfulness.  This would

constitute a misunderstanding of church membership. Church membership is not earned but is a gift that God extends to

all who will accept it. In his theology of prevenient grace, John Wesley taught that God's grace works in us even before

we are aware of it. Sanctifying grace continues to work in us throughout our lives, shaping us to be the people God

intends us to be. Each one of us is a work in progress.

I know that our Minnesota United Methodist congregations welcome all who profess faith in Christ. I encourage you to

continue to do so, extending to all others the grace that God has extended to you.

The Council of Bishops, which is meeting this week, is still discerning how to effectively respond to this decision by the

Judicial Council. Please keep our church in your prayers during this difficult time, as we strive to realize the justice and

grace that characterize the realm of God.

In Christ's love,

Bishop Sally Dyck

Minnesota Annual Conference

A Pastoral Letter to the People of The United Methodist Church From the Council of Bishops

Sally Dyck, Resident Bishop of Minnesota

May we all live our lives in such a way that others will see God's grace shining through us!

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A Pastoral Letter to the People of The United Methodist Church From the Council of Bishops

By grace you have been saved through faith.--Ephesians 2:8  Grace to you from Jesus Christ who calls his church to

welcome all people into the community of faith as it proclaims the Gospel.

The Judicial Council, our denomination's highest judicial authority, recently issued a decision regarding a pastor's refusing

a gay man's request for membership in the church. In the case, this man was invited to join the choir at the United

Methodist Church in the community. As he became more active in the choir and the church, he asked to transfer his

membership from another denomination to The United Methodist Church. Because he is a practicing homosexual, the

pastor refused to receive him into church membership. The Judicial Council upheld the pastor's refusal of membership.

While pastors have the responsibility to discern readiness for membership, homosexuality is not a barrier. With the

Social Principles of The United Methodist Church we affirm "that God' grace is available to all, and we will seek to live

together in Christian community. 

We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends.  We commit ourselves

to be in ministry for and with all persons" (para. 161g, 2004 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church).

We also affirm our Wesleyan practice that pastors are accountable to the bishop, superintendent, and the clergy on

matters of ministry and membership.

The United Methodist Church is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ with all people. We, the bishops of the

Church, uphold and affirm that the General Conference has clearly spoken through the denomination's Constitution on

inclusiveness and justice for all as it relates to church membership:

"The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race,

color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its

programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking the vows declaring

the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection" (Article IV, Constitution of The

United Methodist Church).

We believe the ministry of the local church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to help people accept and confess

Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We call upon all United Methodist pastors and laity to make every congregation a

community of hospitality.

Nov. 2, 2005

Lake Junaluska, N.C.