{"id":102,"date":"2021-03-15T19:18:44","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T19:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.briensburg.org\/wordpress\/?page_id=102"},"modified":"2025-07-09T19:36:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T19:36:14","slug":"lgbtq-inclusiveness-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.briensburg.org\/wordpress\/inclusion\/lgbtq-inclusiveness-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBTQ+ Inclusiveness Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"
Briensburg UMC Statement of Inclusiveness
\n<\/strong><\/span>We invite everyone to share fully in the worship services, life, ministry, and leadership of Briensburg United Methodist Church <\/strong>inclusive of<\/span> age, race, nationality, gender, LGBTQ<\/span>, theology, politics, and legal status. <\/strong>Unanimous Church Council vote on July 15, 2018.<\/em><\/header>\n
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Marriage & Ministry
\n<\/strong><\/span>Effective May 3, 2024, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church voted overwhelmingly to remove all restrictions on UMC clergy and congregations celebrating LGBTQ+ weddings. Restrictions were removed on LGBTQ+ Christians being ordained or appointed to pastoral ministries. The conference voted to cleanse the Discipline<\/em> of all discriminatory and harmful language about the practice of homosexuality.<\/p>\n

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Pastor’s View<\/span>
\nHomosexuality is not a sin in my understanding of the Bible.<\/strong> We are actively seeking LGBTQ+ Christians for leadership and full participation in the ministries of our congregation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I believe in full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Christians in all aspects of the life and ministry of the church, including pastoral leadership, ordination, and marriage. My view is that their exclusion stems from misinterpretations of the Scriptures. I believe that inclusiveness reflects the true Biblical, traditional, orthodox, historical Wesleyan theological tradition.<\/p>\n

I acknowledge and respect the majority who disagree with this view, but remind all of the many injustices historically supported by those same traditional conservative methods of interpreting the Bible<\/em> that produced the “Slave Bible,” and that continue to justify racism, discrimination, exploitation, abuse of children and immigrants, violence, silencing of women in the Church, and many other current forms of oppression which our congregation resists<\/em> because of our understanding of the Scriptures and the teachings of Jesus.<\/p>\n

The concepts of Scriptural infallibility and inerrancy refer only to the original texts, not to the subsequent translations, interpretations, and applications. The concepts themselves are interpretations of Biblical passages and derivative theologies, such as the word “inspiration” in 2 Timothy 3:16.<\/p>\n

The life and teachings of Jesus are paramount in the Bible. Jesus challenged some Old Testament passages, and he elevated others as having greater weight (e.g., Matthew 5:38-39 and Matthew 22:36-40).<\/p>\n

Please see “Theological Guidelines: Scripture”<\/a> for more about the United Methodist understanding of the Bible, which we affirm to be the Word of God<\/em> and our\u00a0primary resource for\u00a0the Christian faith.<\/p>\n

The references on this page support progressive views, in contrast with the more traditional conservative interpretations of certain Bible passages.\u00a0Instead of arguing\u00a0these and other controversial issues, I refer you to the articles\u00a0which support my position and encourage you to arrive at your own conclusions.<\/p>\n

Rev. Steve Milam
\n Pastor of Briensburg UMC<\/em><\/p>\n

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Unanimous Vote: Join Reconciling Ministries Network<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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\u201cWe join the Reconciling Ministries Network as a Reconciling Congregation.\u00a0 We welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to participate fully in the worship, life, ministry, membership, and leadership of Briensburg United Methodist Church.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Unanimous Single Governance Board vote on March 3, 2019.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>We invite everyone who wants to be a part of the Reconciling Ministries Network to join the RMN as a \u201cReconciling United Methodist<\/a>\u201d and notify us by text, phone call, or email to\u00a0worship@briensburg.org<\/a>\u00a0when you have done so.\u00a0 Cards are also available in the church vestibule.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Social Principles\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u201cCertain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation.\u201d
\n(Social Principles: The Social Community<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

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All of the following references support LGBTQ+ inclusiveness.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pastor’s Note<\/em>: Studying well-written, thoughtful materials is preferable to engaging in spontaneous and incomplete arguments about this subject.\u00a0 The articles in bold below are especially commended to your study, but we don’t necessarily agree with everything contained in all these materials.\u00a0 They are provided as resources for your prayerful consideration. (Pastor’s notes on specific items are italicized in red).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Please email\u00a0links to other supportive items to worship@briensburg.org<\/a> to be considered for addition to this list.<\/p>\n

Collections:<\/span><\/p>\n

Reconciling Ministries Resources<\/a><\/strong>
\nExcellent library of information and support materials<\/p>\n

Articles:<\/span><\/p>\n