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UMC Bishops
Responses to the Dammann Trial Verdict
This
response matrix and
chart has been prepared by the
laity of the United Methodist Church by individual laity from various
conferences and by
NIC VOICE and
Faithful Christian Laity. It reflects concern
for the bishops responses to the serious issues raised by the not guilty verdict
in the Karen Dammann trial, as well as the dismissal of charges of heresy
against Bishop Sprague. It is provided as a way to communicate the aggregate of
the responses of the bishops to these situations. If there are any missing
statements or updates/comments on the response matrix and chart, please send
these to Faithful@FaithfulChristianLaity.org
or to
nicvoice@nicvoice.org.
Summary of Analysis:
Note - The statistics are
based on the number of bishops responding, not the total number of bishops:
·
No bishops indicated that
action should be taken to identify false teachers or to prune away withered
branches in either the case of the Karen Dammann trial verdict or the dismissal
of charges of heresy against Bishop Sprague.
·
Five of the bishops commented
on the Bishop Sprague doctrinal issues (three of concern, two of support).
·
Forty-three (out of 50 US
bishops) bishops have commented on the Dammann Trial verdict or the issues
raised, either by direct statement or comment on dealing with these issues at GC
in March and April 2004. The following bishops have not been included in the
matrix as of 4/21/2004 (no statement found):
§
Columbia Episcopal Area -
Bishop J. Lawrence Mccleskey
§
Pittsburgh Episcopal Area
- Bishop Hae-jong Kim
§
Kansas Episcopal Area -
Bishop A. Frederick Mutti
§
Missouri Episcopal Area -
Bishop Ann B. Sherer
§
Albany Episcopal Area -
Bishop Susan M. Morrison
§
Boston Episcopal Area -
Bishop Susan W. Hassinger
§
Phoenix Episcopal Area,
Bishop William W. Dew Jr.
·
63% of the bishops indicated
by their statements on the Dammann Trial verdict that the unity of the UMC was
of overriding importance.
·
36% of the bishops indicated
by their statements that the Dammann Trial verdict was in error.
·
58% of the bishops indicated
by their statements that there should be continued dialogue on the issue of full
inclusion of those who are practicing homosexuals.
·
72% of the bishops indicated
by their statements that they would uphold the current BOD.
·
79% of the bishops indicated
that this issue should be addressed by General Conference.
We urge you to
contrast what the Bishops responses are with Our Lord Jesus Christ’s stern
warnings to the Churches:
Revelation 2: 18 "Write
this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the
Son of God, whose eyes are bright like flames of fire, whose feet are like
polished bronze:
19 "I
know all the things you do – your love, your faith, your service, and your
patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
20 But
I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman – that Jezebel
who calls herself a prophet – to lead my servants astray. She is encouraging
them to worship idols, eat food offered to idols, and commit sexual sin.
21 I
gave her time to repent, but she would not turn away from her immorality.
22 Therefore,
I will throw her upon a sickbed, and she will suffer greatly with all who commit
adultery with her, unless they turn away from all their evil deeds.
23 I
will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one
who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to
each of you whatever you deserve.
24 But
I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this
false teaching ('deeper truths,' as they call them – depths of Satan, really). I
will ask nothing more of you
25 except
that you hold tightly to what you have until I come.
26 "To
all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, I will give authority over
all the nations.
27 They
will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.
28 They
will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give
them the morning star!
29 Anyone
who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the
Spirit is saying to the churches.
Revelation 3:14 "Write
this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea.
This is the message from the one who is the Amen – the faithful and true
witness, the ruler of God's creation:
15 "I
know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were
one or the other!
16 But
since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!
17 You
say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't
realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
18 I
advise you to buy gold from me – gold that has been purified by fire. Then you
will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your
nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.
19 I
am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn
from your indifference.
20 "Look!
Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I
will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.
21 I
will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just as I
was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 Anyone
who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the
Spirit is saying to the churches."
We welcome your
comments and will post them on the
Faithful Christian Laity Discussion Forum
provided for this purpose:
http://www.faithfulchristianlaity.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=90 (section
for comments).
There are three
ways that you can post on this Forum:
1.
Click here to
register:
http://faithfulchristianlaity.org/forum.htm#Faithful%20Christian and post
your comments after your registration has been confirmed.
2.
Send an
email to Faithful@FaithfulChristianLaity.org.
Your comment will be posted with your name.
3.
Send an email
to
Faithful@FaithfulChristianLaity.org and request your comment to be
posted anonymously.
All comments
must abide by the
Faithful Christian Laity Forum Registration Agreement Terms.
NIC VOICE
has created
an email address which will email every United Methodist Bishop your
message. Just click on the email address
bishops@nicvoice.org,
type your
message, and send your message to them all.
(All
messages submitted to the above address will be reviewed by the website
administrator prior to sending.) You can also download address
labels and email addresses as well:
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