9/22/24 Handout 2
Special Pages > Bulletins > HandOuts
Exhibit B - Household Cover Page & Household Descriptions
With many churches positioned to exit the denomination ahead of the United Methodist 2024 General Conference, delegates of the 2022 Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference passed legislation that would assign a team to develop an intentional alignment plan and submit corresponding legislation for consideration in 2023. The Intentional Missional Alignment Process Task Force (IMAP-TF) was commissioned to implement processes unique to Western Pennsylvania, to support all remaining local churches, clergy laity, and conference related entities.
Although some churches ad clergy are choosing to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church in the season, many others with Traditional, Blended and Progressive theological perspectives, have decided to remain connected with The United Methodist Church. This page summarizes the descriptions of the three ministries contexts proposed by the Task Force for future missional household alignments and identifies the unifying principles of all three households.
The households will help those that choose to do so, align outreach and ministry objectives with the local congregation's ethos and theological perspectives about sexual orientation. They will also align with their social awareness about demographics and convictions of people in surrounding communities. All households will covenant to uphold the polity and doctrinal content of The United Methodist Book of Discipline. All households worship a Triune God in three persons. All households will promote the unity of the Spirit and support the church's greater missional purpose. All households affirm that all people should be treated with love and respect and have access to God's grace.
The Traditional Household affirms that all members of every household are treated with love and respect. However, members of the Traditional Household expect all churches to uphold the polity of the 2016 Book of Discipline concerning, but not limited to, the sacredness and authority of scripture, the practice of homosexuality and the definition of marriage as only being between one man and one woman. If/when that polity is changed by the General Conference, the Traditional Household will acknowledge the viewpoint of the other households, but clergy in consultation with a church in the Traditional Household will exercise their choice not to perform same-gender weddings. Traditional Household congregations further assert that marriage is between one man and one woman, and that clergy will remain celibate in singleness and monogamous in marriage.
The Progressive Household affirms, celebrates, and fully welcomes all God's people into the life of the church regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, social-economic status, age, or physical ability. This includes a proposed acceptance of the ordination and marriage for LGBTQ clergy and receiving LGBTQ individuals into leadership for ministry in all areas of the church (local, district, and conference). With focus on social justice, the Progressive Household would work toward change in the Book of Discipline to permit clergy in consultation with a church in the Progressive Household to exercise their choice to officiate same gender marriages, to allow churches to host such marriages, to receive ordination and to fully participate in church leadership.
The Blended Household affirms and recognizes all people as beloved children of God, believes diversity of Scriptural interpretation and practice is a strength, and encourages thoughtful discussion as people grow in discipleship and engage in ministry together. This household includes those with a centrist perspective, those congregations with different voices and perspectives, and congregations that simply do not want to select a household affiliation. Based on individual convictions, a clergy in consultation with a church in the Blended Household may or may not exercise their choice to host all legal marriages. Each pastor currently has discretion in determining whether to officiate at a wedding, and if permitted by Discipline, this could include weddings of same-gender couples.
Traditional Household Description
High Level Description of the Traditional Household
The Traditional Household believes in the one true God who has revealed Himself as eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; each being separate and distinct from the other; yet one God. Members adhere to traditional interpretations of Scripture concerning marriage and matters of human sexuality.
Important considerations in the Traditional Household of faith include beliefs common to other households that salvation comes through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and occurs when one believes in Jesus Christ, repents of sin, and confesses his Lordship over their lives. Salvation comes by grace through faith. A life of righteousness, holiness, and the witness of the Spirit are all evidence of salvation. Members are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) are God-breathed, and are the revelation of God to man. The Traditional House believes that the Scriptures are authoritative and superior to experience, tradition and reason.
To allow household to work together, it is imperative that all members of every household are treated with love and respect. However, members of the Traditional Household expect all households to uphold to polity of the 2016 Book of Discipline concerning, but not limited to, the sacredness and authority of scripture, homosexuality and marriage only between one man and one woman. If/when that polity is changed by the General Conference, the Traditional Household will acknowledge the viewpoint of the other households, but clergy in consultation with a church in the Traditional Household will exercise their choice not to perform same-gender weddings.
Aspirational Perspectives
Traditional Household congregations affirm that marriage is between one man and one woman, that clergy will remain celibate in singleness and monogamous in marriage, and that clergy in consultation with a Traditional Household church will exercise their choice not to perform same-gender weddings either within of outside of church property.
The Traditional Household affirms that all candidates for ordination as deacons and elders will a life of holiness, provide evidence of Gods's grace in their lives, accept that Scripture contains all things necessary for salvation through faith in God through Jesus Christ, and be accountable to the polity of the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.
While all are welcome to worship in a Traditional Household church, Self-avowed practicing homosexuals of LGBTQ individuals could not serve in leadership roles or in Traditional Household churches.
Blended Household Description
High Level Description of the Blended Household
The Blended Household recognizes all people as beloved children of God, believes diversity of Scriptural interpretation and practice is a strength, and encourages thoughtful discussion as people grow in discipleship and engage in ministry together. This household includes those with a centrist perspective, those congregations with different voices and perspectives, and congregations that simply do not want to select a household affiliation.
The most important considerations in the Blended Household's practice of faith
In practice, the Blended Household is characterized by focus on Jesus's command to love one another, the work of the Holy Spitit in each individual's life, and the grace of God for all people. This household appreciates difference, while finding its center in Jesus.
The Blended Household views working together as critical to mission and ministry. This household sees its people as bridge builders and wants local churches and clergy to have some level of autonomy, in order to be faithful to their Spirit-led understanding of the faith. This household encourages shared ministry through mutual respect, listening and focus on mission.
Aspirational Perspectives
Based on individual convictions, a church in the Blended Household recognizes all legal marriages and, if allowed by the Book of Discipline, clergy in consultation with a Blended Household church may choose to exercise their choice to officiate same-gender weddings. Each pastor currently has discretion in determining whether to officiate at a wedding, and if permitted by the Book of Discipline, could choose to officiate weddings of same-gender couples.
Acknowledging that a call to ordained ministry comes from God, the Blended Household would encourage the Board of Ordained Ministry to examine all aspects of a candidates's understanding of faith, call, and readiness for ministry, and not disqualify from ordination based solely on gender identity or sexual orientation.
All persons in the Blended Household are welcome to participate in worship.
All professing members of a Blended Household church will be eligible to serve in leadership roles at all levels of The United Methodist Church.
Progressive Household Description
High Level Description of the Progressive Household
The Progressive Household affirms, celebrates and fully welcomes all God's people into the life of the church regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, social-economic status, age, of physical ability. This includes acceptance of ordination and marriage for LGBTQ clergy, and receiving LGBTQ individuals into leadership for ministry in all areas of the church (local, district, and conference) if permitted by the Gook of Discipline. In addition, members of this household are committed to advocacy for social justice with LGBTQ individuals.
The practice of faith in the Progressive Household is based on God's inclusive love and grace for the renewal of all creation, demonstrated through acts of prayer, worship, Bible study, discipleship, service and advocacy with the poor and oppressed. The Progressive Household operates under the belief that diversity is to be embraced, and discrimination is to be dismantled in both church and society, by living out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Common belief in Jesus Christ and the love and grace of God should enable the households to see all people as children of God, worthy of love and respect, thus equipping everyone to serve together in mission and outreach.
Aspirational Perspectives
The Progressive Household would work toward change in the Book of Discipline to permit clergy in consultation with a church in the Progressive Household to exercise their choice to officiate same-gender marriages and allow churches to host such marriages. If permitted by the Book of Discipline, clergy and congregations would maintain oversight of the wedding process in accordance with their ethics and rules, but would be expected to not make decisions solely on basis of the sexual orientation of any couple.
The Progressive Household would work to allow LGBTQ persons to pursue God's call to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church.
In the Progressive Household, all qualified persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are welcome to participate in leading worship and serve in leadership positions in the local church and beyond.
