churcheswanted,writingthatit divisivedebateoverwhethertochange grouptheWesleyanCovenant "createssignificantissuesthatcould itsofficialstancelabeling Associationannouncedthat107 damagebenefitsandpensionsfor homosexuality"incompatiblewith churcheswereplanningtoleavethe retiredpastorsandtheirspouseswho Christianteaching." FloridaConference,representing devotedtheirlivestoservice." AlthoughtheUMChasconsistently around20%ofthememberchurchesof "Inallthis,ouroverarchinggoalisto voteddowneffortstochangeitsstance, theregionalbody. movethroughthisprocessinaspirit theologicallyliberalmembersand Thedepartingcongregationsintend wherewecansupport,blessandlove clergyhaveoftenrefusedtoenforcethe toaffiliatewiththenewlylaunched eachother,"headded. BookofDisciplinepositiononthe GlobalMethodistChurch,whichis "Atenetofourfaithisthatwe issue. meanttobeaconservativealternative embraceaChurchbuiltinloving Frustrationsovertheendlessdebate totheUMC. relationshipsratherthanuniformityin andrefusalofsomeUMCofficialsto thoughtandaction.AsJohnWesleyis enforcetheruleshavepromptedmany quoted,'thoughwecannotthinkalike, theologicallyconservativechurchesto ▲ TheheadquartersforTheFloridaConferenceof TheUnitedMethodistChurchislocatedinLakeland, maywenotlovealike?'" seekdismissalfromthedenomination. Florida. | The Florida Conference of the United TheUMChasbeenembroiledina InMay,theconservativeMethodist Methodist Church/Don Youngs Christianpost.com 9