RESOLUTION ON THE ISSUE OF SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS
In the light of that declaration, and informed by the 2001 Conference commitment to being "a community of love rather than rejection," and the 2005 Conference resolution inviting Methodists embracing "many different and even opposing views on the issue to journey together," this Conference seeks a way forward that both respects and holds in tension differing views among our ministers and people.
Conference therefore resolves:
i) That the grace, affirmation of diversity, and commitment to the unity of the
church central to the same-sex resolutions of the 2001 and 2005
Conferences be re-affirmed;
ii) That our ministers and people continue to engage this issue in Christian
conversation and respectful listening, so that all of us may more fully
understand and articulate the variety of viewpoints held within our church;
iii) That we will seek to be a Christ-honouring community: Celebrating the rich
diversity of those called to follow Jesus, honouring the sacred worth of all
people and practicing our Wesleyan heritage of warmth, welcome and
hospitality;
Recognising the authority of Scripture, and noting that in our quest for understanding, there is no one, monolithic and incontrovertible interpretation of it;
Acknowledging that there are therefore some issues upon which there may never be total unanimity within the church and upon which we must "agree to differ" without reducing our respect for, and trust of, one another;
Conference approves the publication of Bible Study material which will assist members of the Church to reflect on the issue of Christians and homosexuality and same-sex relationships;
Conference directs that a meeting be convened to consider the wide spectrum of viewpoints on the civil unions of same-sex couples in order to listen to each other, identify points of agreement and differences and seek a way forward that will enhance the unity of the church. DEWCOM is mandated to convene this engagement;
Conference recognizes that any decision and subsequent action on the issue of civil unions between same-sex partners must await the outcome of the ongoing process of engagement as specified by Conference 2005 (Yearbook 2006, 8.3, p.75) and, in the interim, expects Methodist ministers to continue to offer pastoral care to homosexual individuals as to all others.
In the light of that declaration, and informed by the 2001 Conference commitment to being "a community of love rather than rejection," and the 2005 Conference resolution inviting Methodists embracing "many different and even opposing views on the issue to journey together," this Conference seeks a way forward that both respects and holds in tension differing views among our ministers and people.
Conference therefore resolves:
i) That the grace, affirmation of diversity, and commitment to the unity of the
church central to the same-sex resolutions of the 2001 and 2005
Conferences be re-affirmed;
ii) That our ministers and people continue to engage this issue in Christian
conversation and respectful listening, so that all of us may more fully
understand and articulate the variety of viewpoints held within our church;
iii) That we will seek to be a Christ-honouring community: Celebrating the rich
diversity of those called to follow Jesus, honouring the sacred worth of all
people and practicing our Wesleyan heritage of warmth, welcome and
hospitality;
Recognising the authority of Scripture, and noting that in our quest for understanding, there is no one, monolithic and incontrovertible interpretation of it;
Acknowledging that there are therefore some issues upon which there may never be total unanimity within the church and upon which we must "agree to differ" without reducing our respect for, and trust of, one another;
Conference approves the publication of Bible Study material which will assist members of the Church to reflect on the issue of Christians and homosexuality and same-sex relationships;
Conference directs that a meeting be convened to consider the wide spectrum of viewpoints on the civil unions of same-sex couples in order to listen to each other, identify points of agreement and differences and seek a way forward that will enhance the unity of the church. DEWCOM is mandated to convene this engagement;
Conference recognizes that any decision and subsequent action on the issue of civil unions between same-sex partners must await the outcome of the ongoing process of engagement as specified by Conference 2005 (Yearbook 2006, 8.3, p.75) and, in the interim, expects Methodist ministers to continue to offer pastoral care to homosexual individuals as to all others.
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