‘No’ to homosexuality and same-sex marriage
– The Methodist Church in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR – e Methodist Church in Malaysia has declared its stand on the issue of homosexuality.
It said the Bible forbids all forms of homosexual intercourse because such acts are abnormal and unnatural. (Lv. 18:22, Rom. 1:26- 31, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, 1 Tm 1:9-10) . e biblical model of marriage comprises one man and one woman, one husband and one wife. Jesus Christ affirmed and upheld this principle in His discourse on marriage. (Gn. 1:26-28, 2:20-25, Mt. 19:4-6).
In a statement, the General Conference of e Methodist Church in Malaysia said: “ e Bible is clearly against homosexuality. Therefore, churches that hold fast to biblical belief do not and will not support same-sex marriage.
“Although the church cannot accept or condone homosexuality, it does not reject homosexuals. e church is willing to extend love, concern and assistance to them. Church services are open to all, including homosexuals; if they are willing to accept counselling, the church will help and care for them. ere are Christian organisations that focus on assisting homosexuals in our country.
“Nevertheless, the church categorically opposes homosexuality and same sex-marriage, nor does it approve of supporters of homosexuality propagating same-sex marriage in the name of Christianity.” – Connection, a publication of e Chinese Methodist Message, Sarawak.
She is an 8th generation pastor
ILLINOIS – e Rev Carol Hill never dreamed of going into the ministry ven though she comes from a long line of Methodist clergy. “I intended to go into international politics and work in Washington DC,” she said.
But she admits that growing up in the church and a family with a combined 270 years of Methodist service, there were hints and pulls along the way.
“I got called by a church to be a youth director,” she said. “I did it and loved it. It was like coming home.” So, she left the polar opposite life of politics and went into the seminary.
Following the Ordination Service at the Northern Illinois Annual Conference (NIC) last year, she became an eighth-generation Methodist pastor on her grandmother’s side and a fifth-generation Methodist pastor on her grandfather’s side.
On her grandmother’s side, her roots as a pastor trace back to a great-great-great-great -great-great (six greats) grandfather and span over 150 years of service to the church. Many of the pastors on this side of the family served in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
On her grandfather’s side, her roots as a pastor trace back to a great- great-great (three greats) grandfather, George Thomas, who was ordained in 1928 after serving for 25 years as a supply pastor in New Hampshire and New Jersey. Her mother, Katherine Thomas Paisley, is a member of the Tennessee Annual Conference and serves in the NIC as Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Freeport, Illinois.
The Rev Carol Hill’s grandparents, Mary Elise Daugherty omas and Don omas, both served in the NIC. Mary Elise was licensed as a Local Pastor in 1994 and Don was ordained an Elder in 1959. Now retired, Mary and Don reside in New England where Don continues to serve part-time.
The Rev Hill said she would not pressure her children (she is expecting a second child in October). “If anything it was not expected (to become a minister),” she said about her own upbringing. “My parents would say this is your life and you can serve God in many different ways.’” But it is evident that as a newly- ordained Elder, the Rev Hill’s call is to continue on the legacy and tradition of serving out God’s mission in the church, but in her own and special way. She is currently serving as the Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Park Ridge, Illinois. – United Methodist News Service.