Posted By: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC
Mainstream UMC is proud to team up with UMCNext, Reconciling Ministries Network, Uniting Methodists, Methodist Federation for Social Action, The Western Methodist Justice Movement, UM Scholars for an Inclusive Church, All Belong, Affirmation, and LYNC (Love Your Neighbor Coalition). “ResistHarm” is a United Methodist movement of faithful resistance to the anti-gay Traditional Plan. Mainstream unanimously, wholeheartedly and passionately commits to resisting the Traditional Plan in every conceivable way!
Check out the new #ResistHarm website at www.ResistHarm.com where you will find a toolbox of resources for you, your church or groups. This new website is the hub of all things resistance! Like and follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/resistharm and invite others to do so. Every day a new team member will be featured on the site. I think you will be amazed at the depth and breadth of people involved.
The Traditional Plan is the culmination of the Anti-Gay Coalition’s generational efforts to forcibly remove faithful Christians from the UMC solely based on a narrow interpretation of scripture. We embrace a broad, healthy reading of Scripture inspired by our Tradition, Reason, and Experience. This is the Wesleyan way. This is the United Methodist way. We will not stand by while a small, well-organized, well-funded group targets LGBTQ persons for their own political gain. The vast majority of the US and Western European church refuse to allow the harm to continue.
Why resistance?
Resistance is rooted in the fabric of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus continuously lifted people above the law. Jesus resisted the crowd that wanted to stone the women (but not the man) who was caught in adultery. (John 8:1-11) Jesus resisted the Pharisees when he chastised them for neglecting the “weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.” (Matt. 23:23) Jesus resisted his own disciple when he drew a sword against the enemy. (Matt. 26:51-52) Paul reminds us that “you who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ.” (Galatians 5:4) The Traditional Plan is putting a narrow interpretation of the law above people and above love and grace. We must resist it.
We are encouraging groups across the connection to take immediate action when the Traditional Plan takes effect January 1. Annual Conferences are planning rallies on Saturday, January 4 and statements during worship on January 5. Check out the ResistHarm website to see what is happening near you! And if nothing…start something!
Please support Mainstream UMC as we support the resistance to the Traditional Plan. Donate today at www.MainstreamUMC.com/donate. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Grace UMC in Olathe, Kansas is the host for Mainstream UMC. The Center of Grace serves as the fiscal agent and provides financial accountability. You can also choose to donate by mail.
Please make checks payable to:
Grace United Methodist Church
Memo: Mainstream UMC
11485 S. Ridgeview Road
Olathe, Kansas 66061
Notes:
Read the anti-gay coalition’s “Forced Departure” document that is the foundation for the Traditional Plan: http://hackingchristianity.net/2019/02/the-betrayal-of-good-news-how-a-2004-blueprint-created-the-gc2019-endgame.html
Read WCA President, Keith Boyette’s Judicial Council Decision 1032 where he supports a colleague banning a gay man from membership in the local church. http://www.umc.org/decisions/41942
Read WCA President, Keith Boyette’s article about the changes to the Discipline coming January 1 with the Traditional Plan: https://wesleyancovenant.org/2019/03/11/overview-of-legislation-adopted-by-the-special-general-conference/
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