The church’s Council of Bishops in a statement today said its overseas counterpart’s decision has no implication on the Methodist Church in Malaysia as it is an autonomous church. – AFP File Photo
KUCHING (July 2): The Methodist Church in Malaysia does not sanction same-sex marriage despite reports of some Methodist Churches overseas approving same-sex marriage.
The church’s Council of Bishops in a statement today said its overseas counterpart’s decision has no implication on the Methodist Church in Malaysia as it is an autonomous church.
However, there are many who thought its implications would be throughout the churches, said the council.
Despite that, it said the decision has affected Methodists in Malaysia, especially lay members who genuinely want to know where the church really stands in terms of biblical convictions.
“Even in the churches overseas, the same-sex marriage approval has never been arrived at unanimously. It has split churches and caused many to grieve over the decision taken. Often, the decision is made from the perspective of human rights,” it said.
The Council of Bishops said based on the Bible, humans are sexual beings created by God as male and female, and that marriage is an institution established by God for a man and a woman
“Our Lord Jesus affirmed the institution of marriage as it should be between a man and a woman. Heterosexual marriage is God’s created order for humankind, and it is not something based on any culture of the past. It is a divine institution meant for all cultures of all times.
“Same-sex marriage does not find support in the Bible. The Bible is not only unsupportive of same-sex intercourse, but it is against any sexual relationship that deviates from the one man-one woman sexual act within the context of marriage,” it said.
Despite not accepting same-sex union, the church stressed that it does not hate those who deviate from the path stated in the Bible.
“We affirm our love for our neighbours. The doors of our hearts and the doors of our churches are open to anyone who will come to be ministered to, and be on the way to being a true disciple of Jesus Christ our Lord,” it said.
However, the council said that in setting persons apart for ministry, self-avowed practicing LGBTQI (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Trans-Sexual, Queers and Indeterminate) would not be certified as candidates to serve at any level in the Methodist Church in Malaysia.
“We consider the practice of homosexuality to be incompatible with Christian teachings. However, we do recognise that homosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth. The Church is committed to provide counselling, healing and guidance as well as the spiritual and emotional support of a caring fellowship.”
“We believe that individuals who are confused about their sexual identity need the healing and transforming power of God’s grace rather than sex-change operations,” said the Council of Bishops.