What Does The United Methodist Church Say About Divorce?
Fellow United Methodists may be interested in this:
The following two paragraphs from the 2000 Book of Discipline were not included in the 2004 Book of Discipline (ΒΆ161D):
Although divorce publicly declares that a marriage no longer exists, other covenantal relationships resulting from the marriage remain, such as the nurture and support of children and extended family ties. We urge respectful negotiations in deciding the custody of minor children and support the consideration of either or both parents for this responsibility in that custody not be reduced to financial support, control, or manipulation and retaliation. The welfare of each child is the most important consideration.
Divorce does not preclude a new marriage. We encourage an intentional commitment of the Church and society to minister compassionately to those in the process of divorce, as well as members of divorced and remarried families, in a community of faith where God's grace is shared by all.
I personally think that these two paragraphs are important; sadly, nothing was added to replace them. Only a vote by the 2004 General Conference could have deleted this material from the Discipline. I have two questions:
1) Why was this material removed?
2) Why was there no coverage of this vote?
The UM News Service is silent regarding votes on the church's stance on divorce, choosing instead to focus on the ongoing homosexuality debate. I want to know what happened and why.
The following two paragraphs from the 2000 Book of Discipline were not included in the 2004 Book of Discipline (ΒΆ161D):Although divorce publicly declares that a marriage no longer exists, other covenantal relationships resulting from the marriage remain, such as the nurture and support of children and extended family ties. We urge respectful negotiations in deciding the custody of minor children and support the consideration of either or both parents for this responsibility in that custody not be reduced to financial support, control, or manipulation and retaliation. The welfare of each child is the most important consideration.
Divorce does not preclude a new marriage. We encourage an intentional commitment of the Church and society to minister compassionately to those in the process of divorce, as well as members of divorced and remarried families, in a community of faith where God's grace is shared by all.
I personally think that these two paragraphs are important; sadly, nothing was added to replace them. Only a vote by the 2004 General Conference could have deleted this material from the Discipline. I have two questions:
1) Why was this material removed?
2) Why was there no coverage of this vote?
The UM News Service is silent regarding votes on the church's stance on divorce, choosing instead to focus on the ongoing homosexuality debate. I want to know what happened and why.
posted by Tinley | 7:30 PM
6 Comments:
Hmm. That is odd provision. I have no idea what could have motivated such vote. Let's see what Dean Snyder has to say -- he's got the inside scoop on a lot of these issues.
This seems like an important deletion, but I don't know the rationale as to why it was removed. I don't even remember it being reported as part of the deliberations of the general conference. I've linked to this article on my blog in hopes of hearing an answer to your very good questions.
i'd agree that this deletion is important and shouldn't have gotten washed over.
I guess they were to busy fighting over silly things to think about important ones.
Josh
I am trying to get information on this. I was reading the BOD on divorce and it seemed to me some stuff was missing, but I sometimes remember things that were taken out 20 years ago without me noticing. You are right that it is an interesting change and it would be good to know why it was made. If anyone finds out anything, let us know. When I find out something I will post about it.
Dean
Actually, I found it. It was a typo!
If you go to http://www.gcfa.org/boderrata.pdf
or
http://www.cokesbury.com/pdf/2004_Discipline_Index_Errata.pdf
you will find the errata for the 2004 BOD, and it is there.
Good catch.
Dean
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