*Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of The Messenger.
To the Editor
Recently, Dr. James Russell Lehman authored a letter to the editor of the Kenyon Messenger which leveled what I believe to be an unwarranted attack on several area churches in the Kenyon area, specifically the congregation and denomination of which I am a part of, the United Methodist Church. Here is a quote from Dr. Lehman’s letter of which I find issue:
“With the exception of Hauge (AFLC) and St. Michael, all of the ELCA Churches, as well as the United Methodist Church, are in support of abortion with gay and lesbian pastors and lifestyles to follow. In each case, it is called an abomination and a violation of the infallible Word of God.”
Dr. Lehman, I trust that in your profession as an educational administrator, you would make every effort to be fully prepared before offering a thesis. You would check every avenue and available resource so that you could make an accurate assessment of your topic. If someone in the educational realm elected not to follow the rules of preparation, it’s very possible their pathway to sharing important insights may be tainted.
Tragically, in this particular case, you have clearly not done your homework and as a result, your seriously misrepresent your blanket statements about the churches you so zealously attack, which makes your letter to the editor a false attack that requires an apology from you to those congregations.
Here is the accurate description of what the United Methodist Church believes about abortion:
The UMC affirms the sanctity of both the mother's life and the life of the unborn child. Because of their belief in the sanctity of life, they are reluctant to approve abortion, but also recognize the need to respect the life and well-being of the mother.
The UMC supports access to comprehensive reproductive health information and services to prevent unplanned pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion.
Because we live in a complex world, the UMC acknowledges situations where tragic conflicts of life versus life may make abortion a justifiable resolution. This could include cases where the mother's health is at risk or in cases of rape or incest.
No matter what is decided, the UMC emphasizes the need for prayerful and thoughtful consideration by individuals facing unplanned pregnancies, with appropriate medical, family, and pastoral counsel.
The UMC explicitly rejects the use of abortion as a method of birth control or gender selection. In essence, the UMC's stance on abortion reflects a balance between valuing the sanctity of life and recognizing the complexities of individual circumstances, emphasizing compassionate decision-making and access to reproductive healthcare.
Hardly an “abomination” as you so describe the Kenyon United Methodist Church stance on this very sensitive and important subject. Instead, this standpoint reflects the complexities of the world we live in today. I will not speak for the ELCA Lutheran church, but my understanding is that the ELCA seeks a path that balances the value of unborn life with the moral responsibility and autonomy of individuals facing difficult decisions about pregnancy. They advocate for policies that support both prenatal life and the well-being of women and families.
Regarding homosexuality, it is true that the United Methodist Church (UMC) has recently undergone significant changes in its stance on homosexuality and LGBTQ+ inclusion, moving towards a more welcoming and affirming position.
Recent changes reflect a move towards greater inclusion regarding LGBTQ+ individuals. The UMC has removed language from its Book of Discipline regarding the incompatibility of homosexual practice with Christian teaching, now permitting clergy to officiate same-sex marriages in their churches with approval. The ban on ordaining "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" has also been lifted. The church's Book of Discipline supports basic human rights and civil liberties for all persons, including those of any sexual orientation or gender identity. These denominational changes took effect January 1, 2025, but perspectives and implementation may vary within individual churches.
It's this last part that becomes challenging. Each congregation has the opportunity to have its own perspective and implement its own beliefs on this topic. Have you even bothered to ask anyone from the Kenyon United Methodist Church what perspective they hold on this particular issue?
I will be the first to admit that we live in a broken world, but Jesus (as our Lord and Savior) came to help us navigate our way through this fragmented world which we see every single day. He reached out to the least, the last, the lost, the lonely, the left out, and the looked over. Many persons you level the charge of being an “abomination” fit in these categories. What does Jesus tell you about reaching out to them?
Perhaps it is so easy to stand on “a light on a hill” and point fingers that everyone else is falling away from God’s holy and infallible Word. I would invite you to come down from your lofty perch and begin to show the world your love and devotion to God by simply loving others, not spreading fake news about what you believe to be their truth.
Dr Lehman, it might have been helpful if you had contacted someone from the United Methodist Church and actually asked them what their church believed about these matters. At the very least, that would have been the noble thing to do. Electing not to do so is irresponsible and reckless. As an educational professional, you should have known better to do your research.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Daren Flinck
Pastor, Kenyon United Methodist Church
