Single Page
E-mail
Print
RSS
G-bookmarks
Live
TechnoratiThis copy subject to final editing and correction.
When the General Conference enacts legislation which is codified in the Discipline, the General Conference speaks for The United Methodist Church. See Decision 886 (“The Discipline is the law of the Church which regulates every phase of the life and work of the Church.”). When the language contained in 304.3 was adopted in 1984, the language contained in 2702.1(b) was in existence.
In determining what constitutes a chargeable offense under 2702.1(b) ofthe Discipline, one must look to the pronouncements of the General Conference codified in the Discipline. The statement in Paragraph 304.3 that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching” is such a pronouncement. Therefore, the practice of homosexuality is a chargeable offense under 2702.1(b) as a practice declared by The United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings.
Decision
Paragraph 304.3 of the 2000 Discipline is a declaration of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The practice of homosexuality is a chargeable offense under 2702.1(b) of the 2000 Discipline.
April 29, 2004
John G. Corry, President
Sally Curtis AsKew, secretary
