TITLE: Pastor Responds to Bishops' Statement
Release # 018 {2892} April 19, 1996
DENVER (UMNS) -- The pastor of the largest United Methodist Church expressed pain to the 1996 General Conference after hearing that 15 of the denomination's bishops released a statement
declaring their personal convictions about homosexuality are contradictory to the United Methodist Book of Discipline.The Rev. William Hinson, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Houston, said he is dismayed that "the conscience of 15 of our bishops will not affirm the doctrine and discipline of our church."
He said these bishops "not only have broken their silence, but much, much more."
In their statement, released April 18, the bishops said, although not agreeing with the church's position, they affirmed their commitment to uphold the Discipline of the church. They urged congregations "to open their doors in gracious hospitality to all our brothers and sisters in the faith."
Hinson pleaded with the other bishops to "break their silence" and tell the General Conference delegates "in a clear and convincing way" that they support the standards of the Scriptures, the Discipline, church laws and majority rule.
The United Methodist Church, second largest Protestant denomination in the United States, has approximately 8.6 million members in 36,000 local U.S. congregations.
-- Linda Green
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