Adam Hamilton, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate in Kansas, has played a significant role in the division within the Methodist church. He was a major advocate for a position that ultimately led to the departure of 7,600 churches from the United Methodist Church (UMC), largely comprised of congregations that did not align with his pro-LGBTQ agenda. Hamilton is the founding and senior pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, which is the largest Methodist church in the nation, boasting over 24,000 members.
He has held various leadership positions within the UMC and has written multiple books, earning close to $500,000 according to Senate finance disclosures. In 2012, he was recognized as the United Methodist Person of the Year by the United Methodist Reporter, reflecting his influence within the church.
For many years, UMC pastors opposed the church’s movement towards performing same-sex marriages and ordaining openly LGBTQ clergy, arguing that such actions contradicted biblical teachings. However, in 2019, the leadership of the UMC, influenced by Hamilton and supporters of the pro-LGBTQ stance, permitted churches that wanted to leave the denomination to do so. This exodus included many black congregations and ultimately accounted for about a quarter of UMC churches in the United States.
By 2024, the UMC had predictably become more liberal.
Hamilton has advocated for using gender-neutral language to foster inclusivity among children and has described a transgender singer as an “inspiration,” as reported by Breitbart News.
Additionally, he has suggested that the belief in the Virgin Birth may not be essential for Christians and has questioned the degree to which Christians can challenge biblical authority, even suggesting that Paul may have been “wrong” in some aspects.
In the Senate race, Hamilton is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested election. Vice President JD Vance is set to rally in Topeka to support Marshall, while former President Trump also recently visited the state, stirring enthusiasm among supporters as the GOP aims to maintain control in Congress.
