By Kathy L. Gilbert
July 29, 2019 | UM News
“Every United Methodist now knows our denomination is heading for a separation,” Sierra Leone Bishop John K. Yambasu said in an address to a diverse group of church leaders meeting in Chicago.
But the bishop also called on the group attending the July 19 meeting to find a new way forward through consensus. He was speaking to a group with a wide range of viewpoints about the denomination’s inclusion of LGBTQ persons during a meeting that he termed “a call to action.”
Yambasu called the meeting on behalf of the central conferences — United Methodist regions in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. Bishop Christian Alsted, Nordic and Baltic Episcopal Area, and Bishop Mande Muyombo, North Katanga Episcopal Area, attended the meeting. The meeting came at the conclusion of the executive committee of the Council of Bishops meeting.
In addition to the three bishops, five church leaders who represented each of three viewpoints on the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church attended. There were five centrists, five progressives and five conservatives at the meeting....
In his opening address, Yambasu said it was his “burning desire” to work with all sides of the debate to ensure there is no further damage to the whole church.
Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr., president of the Council of Bishops, said bishops are involved in many conversations across the church but “we want to be clear that the complexities of our polity do not authorize anyone to negotiate separation.” [Continue reading at UMNews]