United Methodists on Wednesday voted to rescind a denominational rule banning the ordination of LGBT clergy. This was a historic moment for the country’s second-largest Protestant denomination and its progressive leanings.
In 1984, the United Methodist Church took a stand supporting Orthodox Christian sexual ethics. declare:
Because the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings, persons who identify and practice homosexuality may not be accepted as candidates, ordained ministers, or set apart to serve in the United Methodist Church. do not have.
Now, 40 years later, UMC will officially recognize LGBT clergy.
At the UMC’s general meeting in Charlotte, the denomination Violated the prohibitions of the sect guidelines. It was an overwhelming vote difference of 93% to 7%. This change was passed along with about 20 other bills. without discussion.
This change is in line with the conference’s trend to pass denominational legislation that normalizes LGBT lifestyles and eliminates ethical and disciplinary measures related to LGBT-identifying and practicing LGBT Christians. be. Conference participants are expected to pass additional LGBT-friendly measures by the end of the meeting on Friday.
Methodists opposed to the UMC’s progressive tendencies began breaking away from the denomination several years ago, forming the Global Methodist Church or remaining independent. Thousands of Methodist congregations have already joined the World Methodist body.
The pro-LGBT vote represents a division, as most conservative Methodists chose not to attend the conference.
Still, some staunch Methodists, especially those from Africa, continue to resist.
“We consider homosexuality to be a sin,” says Forbes Matonga, a pastor in western Zimbabwe. Said. “So for us, this is a fundamental theological difference that others no longer consider the authority of Scripture.”
Although the UMC is currently following the same path as other progressive Christian denominations in the United States, such as the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, its embrace of pro-LGBT theology makes this almost unique. is confined to the Western Church, where issues of sexuality and gender have become cultural lightning rods.
However, the majority of Christians in Asia, Africa, and Latin America continue to uphold orthodox Christian teachings on sexual ethics.
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