Boise pastor speaks out against UMC vote on same-sex marriage, LGBTQ clergy
BOISE, Idaho (CBS 2) — A Boise church minister is standing up for members of the LGBTQ community in response to a tightened ban by the United Methodist Church worldwide on same-sex marriage and gay clergy.
AtCathedral of the Rockies in Downtown Boise, Rev. Dr. Duane Anders is making a statement that "all means all" with no exception.
This is in response to a vote at United Methodist General Conference this week to keep the church's longtime policy in place– even stiffening the punishment for church leaders who choose to go against it.
Clergy who officiate same-sex weddings could be suspended without pay for a year, and defrocked if they do it again.
Even still, Rev. Anders is standing firm that not only are members from the LGBTQ community welcome at the Cathedral of the Rockies, but same-sex marriages will be performed and clergy members can be openly gay.
"I think anytime the institution, like the United Methodist Church, puts out a message that says, 'not quite everyone is welcome,' those of us that are part of that family have to stand up and say, 'but, at our spot, at our family, everyone is welcome,'" said Rev. Anders. "We have to push against sometimes the messages of the greater institution."
Rev. Anders told CBS 2 that he's not concerned with going against the worldwide church and says that in the United States, there are many United Methodist Churches that are doing so, as well. He said the vote, which was a close one, laid heavily in the hands of countries in Asia and Africa where homosexuality is outlawed altogether.
"Our church has lived in the tension of understanding the scriptures in a way that says 'all people are of sacred worth,' yet the challenge that there are some scriptures that say 'homosexuality is not God's plan," said Rev. Anders. "We've lived in the tension of that for a number of years."
Either way, at the Cathedral of the Rockies, Rev. Anders said they're sticking to an "all means all" message, even if that does mean losing some of the church's more traditional church members.
"I think anytime you lead it tells people where you stand and also when people know where you stand, some will go 'I am with you,'" said Rev. Anders. "Other times they go 'oh, now that I know that, I can't be present.'"
In the end, the Reverend said it comes down to practicing not what is interpreted in church law, but rather what they at the Cathedral of the Rockies interpret from the Bible.
CBS 2 reached out to several local United Methodist Churches and heard back from Hillview and Collister, both of which said they too oppose this recent vote.
Pastor Brenda with Hillview United Methodist Church said her congregation voted eight years ago to become Idaho's first and only reconciliation church and have openly opposed the worldwide UMC's Book of Discipline long before this.
Pastor Joe with Collister United Methodist Church gave the following statement:
"I'm disappointed with the UMC's vote. I think it will create a great divide within the denomination. And I'm brokenhearted for all those who feel excluded and further marginalized because of this vote. Christians should be known for our love and our inclusion, not for our policies and our exclusion. At Collister UMC we work hard to welcome and love everyone who walks through our doors. The UMC vote will not change how we do business. We will continue to welcome and integrate all interested persons into our church family. This includes the LGBTQ community. With all of the publicity focused on the UMC excluding LGBTQ persons, I want to make it clear that here at Collister we have open arms, open hearts and an open door."
The UMC will host another General Conference in 2020, where this topic could be addressed once again.
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