June 15 1998

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Despite a groundswell of protest, the United Methodist Church (UMC) council of bishops has rejected a request to hold a special session of the denomination's top legislative body to deal with the issue of same-sex "marriage."

The bishops, however, may already be taking a stronger stance. Bishop Joel Martinez of Nebraska announced on May 6 that he will not reappoint Jimmy Creech as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Omaha. Creech had been acquitted by a jury of UMC pastors in March for performing a same-sex marriage (CT, April 27, 1998, p. 14).

Martinez indicated Creech has lost support from his congregation in the aftermath of performing the lesbian ceremony. Last month's announcement pleased conservatives in the denomination, including Patricia Miller, executive director of the Confessing Movement (CM), an evangelical organization representing 1,100 UMC churches and 500,000 members. "It says that there will be repercussions if the United Methodist doctrine is not upheld."

Creech told CT he is extremely disappointed with Martinez's decision. "I will continue to celebrate covenant ceremonies," Creech says. He does not believe that removal will stop the UMC from becoming "a more inclusive and open church."

SPECIAL SESSION SOUGHT: The only special session of the general conference, the denomination's highest legistlative body, took place in 1970, when Methodists considered issues relating to the union with the Evangelical United Brethren. General conferences consist of 1,000 delegates, half laity and half clergy, elected by the annual conferences. The general conference meets every four years, with the next session scheduled for 2000 in Cleveland.

Nevertheless, there has been pressure for a special session to consider the ...