Marriages that split a church
Re “Pastors risk careers over gay marriage,” July 17
I support same-sex marriage. However, I do not agree with the resolution passed by the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church nor the actions of rogue ministers who are in violation of greater church law.
In The Times’ article, the Rev. Janet Gollery McKeithen says that she is “tired of being part of a church that lacks integrity.” But the slogan “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” is simply that: a slogan. The rule prohibiting United Methodist ministers from conducting same-sex marriages is church law.
Purposely violating or encouraging the violation of church law while still claiming the title of “pastor” in the United Methodist Church is far more hypocritical than a perceived conflict between church law and a slogan.
The truth is, the California-Pacific conference, and many of the ministers within the conference, only care about their specific agenda and not the greater church.
It is for this reason that after 10 years as a United Methodist member, I have decided to leave the church.
Paul G. Teague
Lakewood
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Hats off to the United Methodist pastors who have the courage to stand up for what is right. It is distressing that a denomination that advertises that it is a church of “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” is closed to gays and lesbians.
And it is sadder still that the leadership of this denomination gives a warning of dire consequences to any pastors who perform a gay marriage, instead of applauding their courage and congratulating them on their vision.
Obviously, these leaders do not take their directions on this issue from prophets such as Amos or Isaiah, and certainly not from the person they profess to follow, Jesus.
We are reminded of those days in the 1960s when some very brave and courageous pastors stood up to the institutional church -- in the end they won. These 21st century prophets pastors will help us win too!
John A. Zimmer
Ventura
The writer is a retired pastor of the United Methodist Church.