By Linda Bloom*
Sept. 25, 2007 | SAN FRANCISCO (UMNS)

Sexual harassment and misconduct remains a concern of the church, according to the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women.

As the denominational watchdog on issues of sexual ethics, the agency is submitting updated legislation for the United Methodist General Conference to consider when it meets April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. The legislation was approved by the agency's governing commissioners at their Sept. 20-22 annual meeting.

COSROW also has prepared a resolution on what it has determined to be a "disturbing trend": use of Internet pornography by clergy, laity or volunteers, often on church-owned computers.

"The use of pornography continues to increase as it becomes more accessible (via the Internet, for example) and allows more immediate, realistic and anonymous sexual contact and gratification," says the resolution on "Prevention of the Use of Pornography in the Church."

Such harmful and addictive behavior alters relationships and sexual perceptions, and the church needs to be aware of those dangers, the commission says.

The resolution declares that "the use and abuse of pornography in church programs, on church premises and with church property by persons in ministerial roles (lay and clergy) is a form of sexual misconduct, a chargeable offense for laity and clergy in The United Methodist Church."

Suggested actions include sexual ethics training at various levels, training on issues of pornography, and strict oversight of church-owned computers and technology.

Updated resolutions

The updated resolution on "Sexual Misconduct (formerly called Sexual Abuse) Within Ministerial Relationships" lays out specific definitions of various forms of sexual misconduct and characterizes such behavior as "an exploitation of power."

General Conference first committed to the elimination of sexual misconduct in the denomination in 1988. Since then, 35 annual conferences have created oversight teams on harassment issues, and many conferences require sexual misconduct awareness training. The Commission on the Status and Role of Women also has provided support to both victims and church officials "in thousands of cases," according to the resolution.

Suggested action items included renewing the stand against sexual misconduct in the church, with the commission continuing to coordinate an interagency group addressing prevention, education, intervention and healing. Work also must be done through the church's episcopal areas, annual conferences and schools of theology.

The updated resolution on the eradication of sexual harassment reports that recent surveys show sexual harassment "remains a significant problem" in the church despite a "relatively high awareness" of the denominational policy.

Beyond the sexual misconduct issues, COSROW continues to advocate for full participation of women within the denomination.

An updated resolution, "Every Barrier Down: Toward Full Embrace of All Women in Church and Society," celebrates that:

• One in four United Methodist pastors today are women, compared to less than one in a hundred in 1972.
• Sixteen of the 63 active United Methodist bishops worldwide are women.
• Women account for half of all students enrolled in United Methodist seminaries seeking ordination.
• The Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, "is the largest and most prolific mission working entity" in the denomination.

But, the resolution also points out, "there are still areas of leadership, of professional ministry, of decision-making and areas of discipleship for which the church will not trust, value, revere or allot resources to women to the same degree as their brothers in the faith."

Challenge to the church

COSROW is challenging the denomination to "listen anew to women, with new emphasis on women of color." Other challenges include recruiting women leaders, championing economic parity and justice, adopting a "no tolerance" posture on sexual violence, harassment and abuse, organizing women in theological exploration and teaching and creating a "report card" on overcoming sexism for each agency and annual conference.

The commission also is submitting a new version of "Being the Church Amid Disagreement," a resolution that encourages "a ministry of mindfulness" and care in areas of discord.

For the denomination's book of law, the Book of Discipline, the commission would like to see the word "gender" added to Paragraph 4, on inclusiveness of the church and Paragraph 16, on the powers and duties of General Conference.

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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