The UMC, a global church, prides itself on its democratic and decentralized polity. All this shapes its response to LGBTQ couples and clergy.
United Methodist Church
The UMC's response to declining membership is to spend millions deciding who else we can exclude.
A 32-member commission is seeking a way forward for a denomination with a lesbian bishop—and a policy barring ordained LGBTQ people.
Can John Wesley's theology keep the Methodists united?
David Field's question is spiritual: How do we hold ourselves in right relation to those with whom we disagree?
United Methodists have been down this road before. What's different this time is that Karen Oliveto is already a bishop.
A global denomination, a clash of principles, and the coming reckoning
As I work today, my mind travels to the United Methodist clergy who came out as LGBTQ before the General Conference, to challenge the denomination’s policy which bans the ordination of “practicing homosexuals.” While the number is stunning, I keep thinking of each individual person who has risked their livelihood and calling, for this historic moment.
A growing number of UMC clergy are performing same-sex weddings in open defiance of the Book of Discipline. What happens next?
The General Conference of the United Methodist Church convened in Tampa last week. I’m not one of the 988 delegates who have descended on Florida to do the work of our church, nor of the 4,000 hosts, bishops, pages, translators and myriad lobbyists there to help. My participation is limited to following the proceedings from 1,000 miles away. Still, my emotions have been all over the place. And judging from Twitter and Facebook, this roller coaster of highs and lows is almost universal among those who are there. The stakes feel high this year, higher than usual.