In wake of recent judicial rulings, Bishop David Bard keeps the focus on God’s amazing love.
Dear Michigan United Methodists,
Many of you have heard about the decision of the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church regarding the election this past July by the Western Jurisdiction of the Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto as a bishop. The Judicial Council has ruled that Bishop Oliveto’s election as a bishop violates church law because of our denomination’s limits on the service of “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals.” The Judicial Council further added that Bishop Oliveto remains in good standing as a bishop until an administrative or judicial process is complete.
For some of you reading this, you are celebrating that we are maintaining Biblical faithfulness and holding one another accountable to our covenant. For others, this is another step in moving The United Methodist Church away from inclusivity, from being a denomination more reflective of God’s love in Jesus Christ. Within Michigan United Methodism I expect there are tears of joy and tears of sadness, shouts of acclamation and shouts of anger. This decision may leave some of you asking, “What’s left?”
“This decision may leave some of you asking, ‘What’s left?'”
In responding let me begin by reminding us of the way The United Methodist Church is organized. There are several denominational bodies which give expression to United Methodism. Only the General Conference speaks for the entire church. The Council of Bishops provides oversight and support in service of the mission of the church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Judicial Council determines the constitutionality and “legality” of actions taken by others within the church. In the case just considered, the Judicial Council was ruling on the constitutionality and legality of an election in the Western Jurisdiction. While we share a mission, each body has its task within our denomination. The Judicial Council provides its perspectives and rulings and offers its reasons for doing so. When the Judicial Council acts, it does so regarding a very particular set of circumstances. Their rulings do not change The Book of Discipline.
The Judicial Council has acted, and the election of Bishop Oliveto has been ruled in violation of church law. The ruling does not remove Bishop Oliveto from the episcopal office but provides the basis for further administrative process. I appreciate the opportunities I have had to get to know Bishop Oliveto in these past few months. I have found her to be a person of deep Christian faith and one who is profoundly committed to the mission of the church. She took a significant risk in offering herself for election. She stepped away from a significant pastorate and relocated. She willingly turned her life upside down. Whether or not you agree with the Judicial Council decision, I hope we are all able to see the significant impact that it has had on a person’s life.
“I am asking all of us to take a step back and breathe and pray.”
What’s left? Some of you may feel that nothing is left, that the time has come to leave or to focus solely on advocating for a denominational division. I am asking all of us to take a step back and breathe and pray. I would remind us that the Commission on a Way Forward, authorized by General Conference and accountable to General Conference through the Council of Bishops, continues its work. This group of people remains committed to deep listening, to honest sharing, to fervent prayer. They are seeking to hear the Spirit amid all the voices vying for attention. Let’s give this group its opportunity to work. Many of you join with me in praying regularly for this Commission. Please continue to do so. I don’t know what’s possible, but I am committed to giving the possible more time and creativity and prayer.
As part of this on-going conversation, I will be convening gatherings in the fall to discuss possibilities for unity in light of deeply held yet differing convictions about the nature of revelation, the love of God, and the appropriateness of same-sex attraction. I hope you will be part of such conversations.
A more meaningful response to the question of “What’s left” is that the mission of the church in a hurting world is what remains. We may disagree about how best to wrestle with and read Scripture, but we agree on the amazing love of God in Jesus Christ and the human need for that gracious love. Too many lives are unraveled or unraveling, too many people lack love and the ability to give and receive it. Too many people are addicted and need help, too many children go hungry, too many people are sick and poor. The world is too violent, power and greed and short-sightedness blind individuals and nations. There is too much pain and hurt for us not to focus intensely and passionately on sharing God’s love in Jesus Christ so that disciples are made, and lives are transformed and the world is transformed. As we pray for our church, let’s continue to do the work of the church and be the church.
“As we pray for our church, let’s continue to do the work of the church and be the church.”
Recently in preparing for a devotional time for a meeting, I again read these words from I Peter: Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (3:8) I hope you will join me in continuing to be shaped by such words, in the power of God’s Spirit.
Thank you for reading this. I encourage you to read the official response to the Judicial Council decision from the Council of Bishops.
It is an honor to serve as your bishop, even in this difficult and challenging time for The United Methodist Church. Thank you for sharing in ministry together as Michigan United Methodists.
Grace and Peace,
David Alan Bard
Last Updated on December 22, 2022