Crown Heights joins with LGBTQ+ affirming Reconciling Ministries

By Zoe Travers
Journalism Intern

Crown heights has voted to affiliate with Reconciling Ministries Network, an organization seeking the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people within the United Methodist Church. This followed the UMC’s decision to enforce language that discriminates against LGBTQ+ people.

“We felt like that didn’t represent who we are as Crown Heights United Methodist Church,” said Trina Bose North, an elder of the United Methodist Church and pastor at Crown Heights United Methodist Church. We believe that church is for everyone, that God loves, God created, and God calls everyone regardless of sexual orientation."

The UMC Decision

Delegates of General Conference 2019 met to determine whether LGBTQ+ couples could be married within the church and to determine whether openly LGBT people can be accepted as clergy.

They were faced with three plans - The One Church Plan, which would allow local churches and clergy to make individual decisions regarding same-sex marriage, The Conference Connectional Plan, which would allow for a separation within the Methodist Conference, and the Traditional Plan, which would strengthen the language in the church that does not allow same-sex marriage or the ordaining of openly LGBTQ+ clergy.

The international conference chose in February to go with the Traditional Plan. It will take effect in 2020. According to the Traditional Plan, Methodist clergy who perform same-sex marriages will receive disciplinary action from the conference.

“General Conference left me sad and stunned,” Bose North said. “I’ve been a lifelong United Methodist. I love the church that raised me, that taught me everything I know about justice and serving the world, and I thought that we would long ago have changed the discipline for equality. I was stunned.”

Bose North attended the special session in February and the general conference this week. She said the decision to join forces with Reconciling Ministries came as a result of the enforcement of anti-LGBT language.

“Many of the members of my church were saying things like ‘how do we stay in this denomination when we believe so strongly in equality? How do we tell our community that this really is a safe church to attend?’” she said.

Many say the UMC’s decision came partially as a result of Christianity spreading to Africa, specifically in Methodist ministries, which gave African countries many delegates to vote on the matter of LGBTQ+ inclusivity. In 33 African countries, homosexual activities are criminalized. In four African countries, sex between two same-sex partners is punishable by death.

“The general conference took a turn that I didn't see coming,” Bose North said. “I don’t know how we are going to change it.”

The United Methodists' Book of Discipline states that all people are of "sacred worth" but denounces the "practice of homosexuality" as "incompatible with Christian teaching."

Openly gay and lesbian clergy members can be removed from ministry, but church trials on the matter are rare.

As for people who are openly gay and plan to go into ministry, the future is uncertain.

In an interview with The Gayly, Jay Williams, a religion student at Oklahoma City University, said he plans to pursue a career in ministry, but the recent decisions from the UMC has made his path as an LGBTQ+ person unclear.

“If you are not in a relationship, not married, and you’re homosexual, you can still be in ministry,” Williams said. “But for a person like me who does plan on having a husband and having kids in the future, as soon as that part of my life begins to happen, I will no longer be allowed in the United Methodist Church as a leader with the Traditional Plan.”

Williams wants to attend seminary and become a pastor, but he must pass through several committees and boards to be certified.

“It’s a scary time because we don’t know what the future will hold,” Williams said.

Crown Heights’ Decision

In response to these decisions, Crown Heights UMC voted May 19 to affiliate with Reconciling Ministries Network and released a statement that they would be dedicated to welcoming people of all sexual orientations, gender identity, age, race, class, nationality, and mental or physical ability. Officials said they want Crown Heights to be a safe space of affirmation.

There are now four churches in Oklahoma that are affiliated with Reconciling Ministries - Mosaic UMC, St. Stephens UMC, St. Paul’s, and Crown Heights.

Bose North said Crown Heights has had a group for LGBTQ+ people and has been a welcoming environment, but officials wanted to make an official stance to align themselves as an affirming church.

“We want everyone to feel welcome within our church, and so we worried that simply being a United Methodist Church without an affirmation of inclusion or an inclusive statement, people wouldn’t know who we are and what we’re about,” Bose North said.

This has been an ongoing conversation at Crown Heights since March. The decision passed with 84% approval.

This decision does not mean that clergy at Crown Heights can marry or ordain gay people, but it does mean that the congregation has taken a stance to stand with the LGBTQ+ community and welcome members and allies.

Officials at Crown Heights have stated that, if a gay couple wants to get married, they will surround them with support and help them though the process, and, if a gay candidate for ministry comes through their congregation, they committed to supporting and advocating for them.

Other communities in Oklahoma and across the country are establishing themselves as safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community.

Another Reconciling Ministries community, Mosaic United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City released a statement from pastor Scott Spencer following the decision of the UMC.  

“I am deeply troubled by the actions of the 2019 General Conference,” Spencer wrote. “I am grieved. I am angry. But I do not write this letter out of anger. I write it out of deep convictions that have been growing in my spirit for quite some time.”

Spencer said the Mosaic community will continue to be supportive of LGBTQ+ people, stating “we hear you, we love you, you are a beloved child of God.”

“Friends, we have looked too long for our denominational leaders and processes to create change,” the letter read. “I have learned I cannot change anyone. I cannot change any institution. The only thing I can change is myself. And change begins here and now with me.”

Bose North said this feels like a small decision, but it’s as much as they can do to be an affirming space, and so officials are happy to do it.

“The decision to join Reconciling Ministries was important to members in the church because we know and love LGBT members, and it is so painful to be part of a church that’s doing harm, and so this is our way of trying to right the wrong,” she said.

The Gayly 5/31/2019 3:10 p.m. CST