By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
Published: 7/4/2012 2:00 AM
Last Modified: 7/4/2012 4:17 AM 
The Rev. Tom Harrison, pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church, took issue this week with a statement by the General Board of Church & Society of the United Methodist Church, which he said implies that the whole church supported last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the health-care reform law.
The board supported the court’s decision and called the Affordable Care Act’s approval “a huge step in the right direction.” The board signed a statement, along with two dozen other national faith groups, applauding the Supreme Court decision.
Harrison said the board often gives the appearance that it speaks for the whole United Methodist Church but that in fact it does not. He said the board takes positions that generally are to the left of the church’s positions.
He said the General Board of Church & Society is elected by the General Conference but is not authorized to speak for the church.
“Only the General Conference, which meets every four years, speaks for the United Methodist Church,” he said.
Harrison said the United Methodist Church is on record in favor of providing people with health care but has not taken a position on the Supreme Court’s decision backing the Affordable Care Act.
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=18&articleid=20120704_18_A4_TeRvoa645763
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3 comments
John
July 6, 2012 at 12:57 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Why do we apportionments to have an organization speak for us when they do not speak for us? Talk about a dysfunctional organization. No wonder we are in decline.
Jon Altman
July 6, 2012 at 7:54 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
He is correct that the General Conference did not take a position on the PPACA. However, numerous General Conferences, going back many decades, have taken positions in favor of universal health care. Setting up some sort of “discord” between GC and GBCS may serve this pastor’s interest in appeasing his anti-Obama church members, but is intellectually dishonest.
d
July 6, 2012 at 7:53 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
He said the General Board of Church & Society is elected by the General Conference but is not authorized to speak for the church.
Then what is the General Board of Church and Society”s reponsibilities?
Why are they permitted to hold position and espouse those positions as if they do speak for the whole church?
Why does the UMC not speak as a unified body?