The 3 - May 13, 2018

In this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there are two stories relative to Christian denominations: the United Methodist Church's struggle on matters related to homosexuality, and a recent controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention relative to treatment of women.  Also, three North Korea prisoners came back to the U.S. recently, and there are several spiritual dynamics.

3 - United Methodist Church prepares for conference on sexuality, Bishops recommend removing phrase declaring homosexuality to be sinful

At the 2016 General Conference of the United Methodist Church, it was determined that matters related to sexuality, with a central emphasis on homosexuality and its effects on the church, would be tabled until a specially-called conference.  That has now been set, and according to a Religion News Service article on the ChristianHeadlines.com website, bishops at the conference, "...announced the creation of a 32-member commission that would make recommendations to settle questions of ordination and marriage at a special session of the General Conference to be in held in February in St. Louis."

The commission has recommended three plans: The One Church Plan, the Traditionalist Plan, and the Connectional Conference Plan.  The Christian Headlines article stated: "The Council of Bishops recommended the One Church Plan, on Friday (May 4), after nearly a week of meetings in Chicago, according to a council press release."

So, what is in the plans?  The website of the Institute on Religion and Democracy,
JuicyEcumenism.com, stated:

...the Council of Bishops will forward three separate plans as possible options to the 2019 General Conference as part of its final report:

• a Traditionalist Plan, which has previously been described as maintaining our present sexual-morality standards, increasing enforcement measures, and allowing gracious exit ramps for congregations and others unwilling to follow our standards;

• a so-called One Church Plan, which has previously been described in terms of removing the UMC’s traditionalist teachings and policies on marriage and sex, and officially authorizing same-sex “weddings” and homosexually active pastors, throughout our denomination; and

• a Connectional Conference Plan, which has previously been described as replacing the five jurisdictions into which the UMC is currently geographically divided within the United States with two or more nationwide jurisdictions that would each have its own theology and policies related to marriage, while somehow remaining part of the same denomination.

Again, the bishops have recommended the One Church Plan. The IRD article stated: "Such a plan, more accurately labeled the Liberalization Plan, is completely irreconcilable with Scripture, unfaithful 2,000 years of consistent global Christian tradition, and very pastorally harmful, most especially to self-identified LGBTQ individuals and their loved ones."

The Wesleyan Covenant Association issued a statement this past week, in which it expressed gratitude that three plans would be presented.  It stated, in part:

We understand a majority of the council is recommending the adoption of a “local option” plan that would liberalize our sexual ethics, teachings on marriage, and ordination standards. Therefore, we are particularly grateful a significant and important minority of the council insisted on the inclusion of a traditionalist model.

To give some perspective on this association and its purpose, here is another passage from the statement:

At its inception the Wesleyan Covenant Association clearly stated in its Chicago Statement that: “A plan that requires traditionalists to compromise their principles and understanding of Scripture, including any form of the ‘local option’ around ordination and marriage, will not be acceptable to the members of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, stands little chance of passing General Conference, would not definitively resolve our conflict, and would, in fact, lead to the fracturing of the church.”

Nevertheless, the tone of its statement indicated the Association was hopeful about the outcome of this event, coming up in February 2019.

2 - So. Baptists debate status of Seminary president in advance of its National Convention

Meanwhile, the Southern Baptist Convention is set to meet in Dallas next month, and over the past few weeks, the Convention has garnered negative headlines regarding comments made in the past by one of the long-time leaders of the Convention, President of the denomination's Southwestern seminary, Paige Patterson.  The comments centered around Dr. Patterson's views on how abuse should be handled in a marital relationship.  Plus, a video surfaced on a blog of Patterson making a joke that was perceived to be in ill taste and misogynistic.

Patterson has made several statements; the most recent, according to the Baptist Press website, was an apology to those he had offended.  It contained the words:

...I wish to apologize to every woman who has been wounded by anything I have said that was inappropriate or that lacked clarity. We live in a world of hurt and sorrow, and the last thing that I need to do is add to anyone's heartache. Please forgive the failure to be as thoughtful and careful in my extemporaneous expression as I should have been."

Patterson added, "I would also like to reiterate the simple truth that I utterly reject any form of abuse in demeaning or threatening talk, in physical blows, or in forced sexual acts. There is no excuse for anyone to use intemperate language or to attempt to injure another person. The Spirit of Christ is one of comfort, kindness, encouragement, truth, and grace; and that is what I desire my voice always to be.

There have been several open letters that have been posted online; the one receiving the most attention coming from women who had expressed their concern.  In social media, there has been spirited discussion about whether or not Patterson should resign his position or be removed, as well as whether or not he should preach the highlighted convention sermon in Dallas.  The seminary's Board of Trustees will meet next week to discuss the situation, at the request of Patterson, according to Baptist Press.

Meanwhile, outgoing convention president Steve Gaines has weighed in, and in a statement referenced in another Baptist Press article, mentioned that he had spoken to Patterson and expressed his disagreement with him in these matters. Gaines also issued an apology to SBC women, saying, in part: "On behalf of the SBC, I ask for the forgiveness of all women who have been hurt by these comments and the issue of ill treatment of women within churches in particular." He encouraged Southern Baptists to pray for the Trustees meeting on May 22.  He also encouraged them to do four things:

--Pray for the SBC. Ultimately, our struggle is not with people, but with Satan and demonic spirits (cf. Ephesians 6:12). We must stop fighting one another, and start fighting the devil on our knees.

-- Fast and pray 21 days for our SBC meeting in Dallas. I call all Southern Baptists to participate in a 21-day fast beginning Tuesday, May 22 through Monday, June 11. That will enable us to fast for 21 days immediately prior to the SBC meeting that begins on Tuesday, June 12. Some can do a regular fast (liquids but no food). Most anyone can do some sort of partial fast (i.e. eliminate certain foods, or eliminate a meal or two per day).

-- Speak positively and constructively. Every word we speak, in private or public conversation, even on social media, should be Christlike and filled with grace. If anyone reviles you, do not respond in kind. Far better to be wronged than to participate in an ungodly exchange of words before a lost world that is listening and watching.

-- Pray for our SBC trustees. They are accountable to the Lord and to our SBC churches, not to the employees of the SBC entities. Let them do their work as we pray for them.

He also acknowledged his commitment to "racial diversity in the various levels of SBC leadership."

1 - No. Korea prisoners brought home, concerns persist about NoKo human rights record

Three men who had been held as prisoners in North Korea were released during the past week.  The President and Vice-President both met the men, who were accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, when they returned in the wee hours of the morning.

The Faithwire.com site reported on a spiritual aspect of the homecoming: "As Pence shook hands with the three Americans who had flown back to the U.S. with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, they handed him a note. Contained within was a stunning piece of scripture."  The Scripture passage was the first three verses of Psalm 126 in the English Standard Version:

(1) “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad...”

The Vice-President tweeted, "It was an amazing moment I’ll never forget… when 3 Americans stepped onto the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews & gave me a signed personal note with Psalm 126 on the back...”

The Open Doors USA website reported:

The three Americans–all of Korean descent–reportedly include two Christians. Kim Dong-chul, arrested in 2016, is a pastor in his early 60s while Kim Hak-song, who previously described himself as a Christian missionary was jailed in October 2017. The third man, Kim Sang-duk, also known as Tony Kim, was 55 when he was arrested in 2017. Reportedly, a senior U.S. official said their release was a condition to the historic meeting between Trump and North Korea dictator Kim Jong-un. The United States has repeatedly demanded the release of the three American citizens who were held on charges of committing espionage or unidentified “hostile acts” against North Korea. No other Americans are believed to be held prisoner in North Korea.

The site also stated:

While we celebrate the release of the three men from North Korean custody, Open Doors CEO David Curry points out that these recent positive developments are far from the end of freedom work in North Korea. Instead, they should mark the beginning as we are driven to pray for and advocate for the estimated 50,000 North Korean Christians held in this prison system where abuses and conditions have been described as “as bad or even worse” than Auschwitz, the infamous World War II Nazi concentration camp. For the last 17 straight years, North Korea has been #1 on Open Doors World Watch List as the world’s most dangerous country for Christians.

Curry also is quoted as saying, "...we must continue to work toward religious freedoms for the estimated 300,000 North Korean Christians who must practice their faith under threat of harassment, imprisonment and even death."