LETTER: Church should follow its rules

Margaret Novak’s letter of Nov. 20 asserts that the votes for Bishop Oliveto were live-streamed via the internet for members to watch worldwide. Surely she is aware of the many people who haven’t access to computers nor are they familiar with the use of them, my husband included. While “live-streaming” is a popular means of sharing information, it is not suitable for people who have other pressing obligations that would prevent them from watching. Plainly, there are many other methods of communication for “getting the word out.” At one time, controversial issues coming up to take place at upcoming conferences were discussed at Pre-Conference Hearings held in areas where Methodist Churches were located. This kept them informed and gave them an opportunity for their voices to be heard.

I am certain that the whole election process was conducted according to proper protocol — with one exception: The candidate was not qualified according to the United Methodist Book of Discipline, which is the focus of my prior writing. Sexual orientation is not the point. Utter disregard for the Discipline is. Regardless of the many qualifying gifts that you claim she (Oliveto) has, she disqualified herself when she sought leadership positions in the United Methodist Church, knowing full well what the rules said, and at the same time, vowed before God to “uphold” the Discipline of the church. Consensus is that there is a gross lack of honesty and respect involved. Are these not important attributes for a pastor or bishop? ... or .. Do you think that honesty and respect are no longer valued in our modern culture?

Having been affiliated with the United Methodist Church for 62 years, and having served in it for a portion of that time, I am, of course, quite familiar with the programs and/or the structure of the UMC. It is incomprehensible that people would choose to “shortcut” the system, jeopardizing their integrity, to satisfy their own desires, and most especially where spiritual leadership is concerned. —Rena Hagen, Kalispell