CHAPTER EIGHT

FINISHING THE JOURNEY: Questions and Answers from United Methodists of Conviction

Chapter Eight
Rev. Dr. Joseph L. Allen

When should our Christian conscience overrule the order of the church?

Joseph L. Allen is professor emeritus of ethics at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and he is a retired member of the North Texas Conference. His work in ethics has centered on what it means to be in covenant with God and with one another.

In 1996, the United Methodist General Conference voted to add to the Book of Discipline: "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers…" The church’s Judicial Council since has ruled that this statement is binding law and can be the basis for charges against a minister. And yet, some United Methodist ministers conscientiously believe that they should celebrate such unions.

When they do, the act is analogous to protesters’ civil disobedience against a government law they deem unjust. In 1968, the General Conference adopted a careful statement on civil disobedience, later published in the Daily Christian Advocate, and it will help us think about similar disobedience to a church law.

The statement made these points:

· Law is valuable and necessary, as is respect for law. Where particular laws are unwise or unjust, people must seek changes through legal procedures.

· When people disagree over a given law, the right of dissent is essential.

· In extreme cases, civil disobedience — nonviolent disobedience of a law — can be justifiable for Christians, for whom the only God is the God of Jesus Christ. Even then they must be willing to accept penalties for their disobedience.

What the 1968 General Conference said about civil disobedience to the state is also true within the church.

Church laws, too, are not necessarily the laws of God. To change a church law we believe to be unjust, we have accepted procedures. In addition, we have the right to dissent openly with one another and, as an extreme measure, to violate the law. Of course, we must be willing to accept the penalties for the violation; this shows respect for the church. The history of the church is testimony to the importance of this extreme practice.

But the question is not simply whether disobedience of church law can be justifiable, but when. Here are key issues that will help guide wise judgment:

· Have established church procedures been exhausted? A faithful member does not rush to disobey. Disobedience may show great conviction; hasty disobedience may also show lack of resourcefulness or a compulsion to rebel.

· Can one find other ways, besides disobedience, to affirm people and convictions? Creative ministers may find effective ways to proclaim a conscientious Christian faith within a law they want changed.

· What is likely to happen because of one’s disobedience? Ministers must weigh witnessing to their convictions against alienating others and perhaps even having their ministry suspended.

· Is conscientious disobedience at this time more likely to set the stage for deliberation and to win supporters, or to polarize the community and drive away the undecided?