“Historic.” Long ago I cast that overused adjective into the outer darkness of my Words-To-Be-Avoided-At-All-Costs file … but, lo and behold, I now have a legitimate reason to dust it off and use it.

The 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church was a historic event. Words were removed from our Book of Discipline (added in 1972) that said the “practice of homosexuality … is incompatible with Christian teaching”; the ban on the ordination and appointment of “self-avowed practicing homosexual” clergy was removed; and officiating at the wedding of a same-sex couple will no longer be a chargeable offense. In short, churches can choose for themselves whether to host same-sex weddings, and clergy can decide whether they will officiate.

Almost a week after General Conference, this is hardly breaking news, but I want to pause in the moment—this historic moment—and express my gratitude to you, Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, for your faithfulness in bringing us to this day.

Decades ago, this church was among the first voices advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and rites in our North Georgia Conference, and Glenn has remained a consistent voice through the years. Ten years ago, you went through a careful process of listening, discussion, and discernment and decided to become a Reconciling Congregation (You were Reconciling before Reconciling was cool). Some folks who disagreed with the decision left the church. They were loved and their departure painful, but you persevered in your commitment to be an open, welcoming congregation. And we all know the Body of Christ has been strengthened through the individuals and families who found home in this church because of your openness and advocacy.

You stayed the course, not only in your pursuit of change, but also in your support of the shared ministries of our United Methodist Church. You didn’t walk away from our connection, nor did you choose to ignore our Book of Discipline. During my years here, some folks have called us to do both, and some chose to leave when the church disagreed. Again, there was great pain in seeing people we love walk away, but great, too, were the blessings in staying. You persevered. Thank you.

Yes, this is a historic moment, but it is also one MORE moment in the great story of God’s saving work in the world. Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church is a part of that story. You and I are part of that story.

We are people of the Book, people of the Spirit, called to proclaim good news to all, called to bring hope and healing, called to be the Body of Christ in the world, called to be a light shining, called to reach outward, always outward, with God’s grace and truth. If we are faithful to that calling, loving in our life together, gracious in our actions, and welcoming to all, while seeking to grow personally and together in the love and knowledge of Christ—in other words, if we are the church together—we will have all we need to bless our neighbors and the world. Grace upon grace brings joy upon joy.

So now we keep moving, together in Christ. I know we will welcome whoever walks through our door, but I’m wondering. When was the last time you INVITED someone to walk through our door—with you perhaps? Now is a good time.

We look forward with faith and joy to the wonders God will work in and through God’s church.

In Christ,

Mark

For excellent summaries of all the significant actions of General Conference, see:

General Conference Legislative Recap
Q&A for North Georgia United Methodists The United Methodist General Conference
Some thoughts from Bishop Robin Dease