“Mexit” for United Methodist Sexual/Theological Dissenters? [JuicyEcumenism]

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    March 29, 2017

    “Mexit” for United Methodist Sexual/Theological Dissenters?


    One of United Methodism’s most distinguished theologians has suggested a “Mexit” facilitating orderly departure from the denomination for dissenters from the official church teaching affirming marriage as male-female.

    William Abraham of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas proposed Mexit at a conference of 28 theologians addressing United Methodism’s debates over sexuality, hosted by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry on March 9-12 in Atlanta. The event was called “Unity of the Church and Human Sexuality: Toward a Faithful United Methodist Witness.”

    But Abraham, with some others present, did not think church unity possible with dissenters openly defying church teaching and law, including last year’s election by the church’s small Western Jurisdiction of an openly lesbian and partnered bishop.

    “I think that the way ahead lies with an exit plan for those who cannot accept the canonical teaching and practice of the church rather than a plan for division,” Abraham announced, coining the term “Mexit” for this Methodist departure.

    Abraham suggested “those who disagree with the teachings and practices of the church should follow through on their own convictions and recognize the moral obligation of exiting The United Methodist Church.”

    The over 12 million member global United Methodist Church affirms sex only within male-female marriage, prohibits celebration of same sex rites, and ordains persons who are celibate if single or monogamous in male-female marriage. This teaching has been debated at the denomination’s quadrennial governing General Conference every four years since 1972. The traditionalist side has always prevailed.

    Due to the denomination’s growing membership in Africa, where over 40% of the church lives and where the church is conservative, United Methodism has not followed other USA Mainline Protestant bodies in liberalizing its teaching about marriage and sex. As United Methodism continues its 50 year decline in America, ongoing church growth in Africa almost ensures the denomination will retain its orthodox teaching.

    “The relevant point is that the debate is now over,” Abraham said. “The United Methodist Church has stood firm across the years; there is not going to be a change of mind and heart. So the time has come to recognize the moral obligation to allow The United Methodist Church to abide by and implement its decisions.”


    Click here for the rest of the article:
    https://juicyecumenism.com/2017/03/29/mexit-for-united-methodist-sexualtheological-dissenters/