Issues of property ownership, compensations, names and affiliations would be part of the puzzle. The event that brought headlines to the long-standing discord occurred in March. Although official church policy holds that homosexuality is incompatible with Christianity, a church court declined to discipline the Rev. Jimmy Creech of Nebraska for performing a union ceremony of two lesbians. The verdict outraged conservatives. At the same time, churches in the San Francisco area said they would continue performing same-sex ceremonies.
Conservatives insist the controversy over sexual orientation is just a symptom of deeper divisions.
Separation will allow both sides to pursue their vision for ministry without the distraction and injury of an ongoing war of ideas. Joe Meredith , a member, of Fresno's St. Luke's United Methodist Church, also signed the document, which he compared to the Declaration of Independence. Conservatives said that although they're open to dialogue with Talbert, they wouldn't be surprised if the conference splinters. Conservatives are weary of fighting, Ezaki said. Copyright 1998-1999 IJM Design .