United Methodist Church Proposes Historic Split Over Gay Marriage And LGBT+ Clergy
The United Methodist Church has proposed a split into more than one denomination after a year-long dispute on gay marriage and allowing LGBT+ people to become clergy members. The United Methodist Church is the largest religious denomination in the U.S.
The proposal suggests that traditional-minded congregations are to form a new denomination which would continue to oppose same-sex marriage and LGBT+ clergy members. The rest of the United Methodist Church, however, will, for the first time in its history, permit same-sex marriage and allow LGBT+ clergy members.
Those conducting the proposal stated that this solution is “the best means to resolve our differences, allowing each part of the Church to remain true to its theological understanding, while recognizing the dignity, equality, integrity, and respect of every person.”
As ‘Rolling Stone’ notes, the proposal still needs to be approved at the United Methodist Church’s 2020 General Conference, which takes place in May. In a statement, though, the Church said, “[G]iven the broad, influential coalition involved… the potential seems strong that the separation proposal can end or at least greatly reduce the denomination’s decades-long struggle over how accepting to be homosexuality.”
New York Conference Bishop Thomas Bickerton, who was part of the group that helped craft the proposal, adds: “This protocol provides a pathway that acknowledges our differences, respects everyone in the process and graciously allows us to continue to live out the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, albeit in different expressions.”
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