LGBT inclusion in the UMC: "An Act of Love"

UMC minister Rev. Frank Schaefer and his family are the focus of a documentary called "An Act of Love." Photo by Robin Dorner.

An Act of Love is a moving, pro-LGBT documentary that follows Rev. Frank Schaefer as he was put on trial in the United Methodist Church (UMC) for officiating his son's same-sex wedding. For performing a same-sex wedding, Schaefer and his family were pulled into a movement for LGBTQ equality in the nation's second largest protestant denomination.

An Act of Love follows Rev. Schaefer's journey from small-town minister to outspoken advocate, as well as the ongoing debate in the UMC over LGBT inclusion.

Every four years, the Church’s top legislative body holds a general conference with about 1,000 delegates from around the world to vote on any modifications to the Book of Discipline, which is “the book that rules us,” if you will, according to Rev. Scott Spencer, of Mosaic UMC. The conference is going to be this May.

Since Schaefer was defrocked, and his family essentially exiled from their church and then eventually welcomed back in, LGBT-friendly followers are putting their faith in this conference. “They [the church delegates] have the power to change,” Rev. Spencer says.

Although the United Methodist Church has welcomed gay and lesbian members, the church's Book of Discipline rejects sex outside of heterosexual marriage as "incompatible with Christian teaching."

Rev. Spencer himself has not yet had the honor of performing a same-sex wedding because of the church’s rules. He has, however, led one in its closing prayer; but he hopes to eventually officiate.

Church leaders are hoping to show the documentary in order to raise awareness within the UMC about LGBT inclusion. “Anything can happen. We are watching this documentary in preparation so people are aware of the issue. Across the nation various groups are showing it.”

Rev. Spencer told The Gayly that those who see the film will be “enlightened on how the church works and how it can be very hurtful, but also they’ll see the love Frank has for his son, and they will understand that sometimes you bend the rules for the sake of love – and sometimes the rules are just flat out unjust.”

Viewers will be “moved by the story,” Rev. Spencer said. “This is about somebody who wasn’t willing to give up on the church, either. He stayed with the Methodist Church.”

Sticking around after being ostracized for a belief is almost unheard of. But, Rev. Spencer said, “Families that are hurt by the church sometimes walk away from it, sometimes they go to another denomination, sometimes they stick with it. And through pain, hurt and injustice they stay to create change. And that’s what’s remarkable and inspiring about this story. He stayed.”

The April 14 showing is free and open to the public. It starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Watson lounge in the basement of the Angie Smith Chapel on the Oklahoma City University campus. It will be followed by a 30-minute time for discussion. It is being sponsored by Mosaic United Methodist Church, Mainstream United Methodists (MUM), and Spectrum (an LGBT student group at OCU). OCU is located at 2501 N. Blackwelder in OKC. For more information, call Rev. Scott Spencer at Mosaic UMC, (405) 751-0766.

The Gayly – April 3, 2016 @ 12:20 p.m.