by Sandy » Fri Mar 30, 2018 4:39 pm
Oh, whatever "angst" there was has long since been satisfied by seeing how many times you were wrong. A reasonably smart sixth grader would have done their homework before making these kinds of errors.
1. You were wrong about the UMC. You missed figuring out that they have no singular leader who "runs" the denominations, and you missed the fact that the presiding bishop is male, and has no role other than moderating meetings, but does not determine or influence the agenda or doctrine. The UMC is a "mainline" denomination, but remains opposed to same-gender marriage and the ordination of gays and lesbians.
2. You were wrong about the Disciples of Christ. As a denomination, they have even less of a "hierarchic-like" structure than most Baptists have, and positions on same-gender marriage and ordaining gay and lesbian clergy are made at the local church level. There are some churches in the D of C that have accepted both, but a majority of them have not. They do have a woman who is currently serving as their "presiding minister" but, like Baptists, the denominational structure exists to serve the churches. The acceptance of gay and lesbian ordination by those in the D of C who are favorable toward it happened long before their current presiding minister was selected. And if their membership is "plummeting," and in "free-fall," then those terms must also apply to membership in the SBC, since the attrition rate in the D of C, as part of the "Restoration Movement" is less than half the rate of membership and attendance loss in the SBC.
3. I'd think your familiarity with CBF would prevent you from making such statements about them. The way they've structured their governing board, and the authority it has been given is different, but their authority only extends to the fellowship's executive office itself, and not to any partnering organization or church. There is no hierarchy.
4. The other three mainline denominations you mentioned "sanctioned" same-gender marriage, gay and lesbian ordination, and other positions related to sexual orientation and gender identity well before their current female leadership was in place.
That's not angst, that's satisfaction. Have a Happy Easter, Jim.
Last edited by Sandy on Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:31 am, edited 1 time in total.