We should welcome everyone
into our congregations

My View

A United Methodist pastor in Virginia was placed on “involuntary leave of absence” last year for refusing to allow a homosexual person to become a member of his congregation.
Subsequently, the Judicial Council, the denomination’s highest court, reversed that action. The council ruled that United Methodist ministers have the power to decide who becomes a member of a local church, thereby supporting the pastor who blocked the gay man from becoming a member of the congregation.
Two days later, however, after an overwhelming response from laity and clergy who were greatly troubled, the Council of Bishops issued a strong critique of the decision. The bishops clarified that homosexuality is not a barrier to membership in The United Methodist Church.
The action by the pastor in Virginia and the ruling of the Judicial Council contradict the advertised description of our denomination: “Offering Christ to All” through “Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors.”
The United Methodist Church, as well as other denominations of Christianity, continues to wrestle with the issue of homosexuality, causing divisions and alienating people from God’s unconditional love as expressed throughout the Bible.
Scripture is being used as a sword to divide and oppress rather than express the good news of grace, salvation, love, liberation and unity in the body of Christ.
At Travis Park UMC, San Antonio, the congregation takes seriously Christ’s commands to love God and to love one another as Christ has loved us.
Consequently, our hearts, minds and doors are open to everyone: heterosexual or homosexual, black, brown or white, powerful or powerless, financially wealthy or financially impoverished, oppressed or oppressor, homeless or with home, disabled or fully able, or any other division by which we intentionally or unintentionally separate ourselves from one another and Christ.
We invite all people to join us as we enter a time of contemplation and repentance during Lent.