United Methodist Church begins reorganization over LGBTQ+ issues: NPR
Despite official bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage, many of the church's local geographic conferences, particularly in the United States, have chosen not to enforce them.
David Goldman/Associated Press
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David Goldman/Associated Press
Despite official bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage, many of the church's local geographic conferences have chosen not to enforce them, particularly in the United States.
David Goldman/Associated Press
United Methodists from around the world voted at the General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, on a measure that could end the church's operations. Ban on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage.
The proposal, called regionalization, essentially would allow different geographic regions, such as North America, Europe, Africa, and the Philippines, to establish their own rules for missions.
The Rev. Dee Stickley Miner, one of the plan's architects, said he is looking forward to being part of a denomination that is not centered around the United States.
“We celebrate that this is the beginning of a new way of being as a global church, where our voices can really be heard and where we can listen to each other in new ways,” she said. Ta.
Reorganizing the United Methodist Church in this way would lift the ban on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy in the United States, making it far more likely that churches elsewhere could enact their own rules.
Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, president-elect of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, said the vote sends a clear signal that the United Methodist Church is ready for a new path forward.
“Certainly, it not only decentralizes the United States, it dismantles colonialism, it gives us a sense of agency and autonomy while keeping us missionary and connected,” she said. .
Malone described the regionalization plan as keeping the church “one body” but with different expressions around the world.
A big concern in recent years is that while there appears to be a willingness to lift bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage in the United States, that sentiment is not widespread in other parts of the world, particularly Africa.
Pastor Emmanuel Sinzohagera of the Burundi Conference of the United Methodist Church said he was satisfied with the restructuring plan.
“What's important in Africa may not necessarily be important to you or the church in the United States, and what's important to you as a church may not necessarily be important to the church in Africa,” he said.
The regionalization plan passed with 78% of the vote, but still needs to be approved at the local annual meeting. They plan to take that step next year.
Meanwhile, separate proposals to remove restrictive language regarding LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage World wide This is on the agenda for next week's United Methodist General Conference. But a vote on regionalization could make these proposals moot and perhaps less likely to pass.
Despite official bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage, many of the church's local geographic conferences, particularly in the United States, have chosen not to enforce them.
Many congregations, dissatisfied with its non-enforcement, chose to leave the denomination, the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States.Some congregations became independent, while others joined more conservative congregations. for a moment It is called the Global Methodist Church.
The deadline for so-called “secession” from the United Methodist Church was last December. More than 7,600 (about a quarter) congregations voted to leave. With the most conservative congregation gone, the path forward became clearer.
Bishop Tracy Smith Malone said she was thrilled to preside over Thursday's regionalization vote, which comes after years of sectarian conflict. “She had to restrain herself,” she said with her big smile. “We will be working in the vineyard, and this is God’s vision.”
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Despite official bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage, many of the church's local geographic conferences, particularly in the United States, have chosen not to enforce them.
David Goldman/Associated Press
hide caption
toggle caption
David Goldman/Associated Press
Despite official bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage, many of the church's local geographic conferences have chosen not to enforce them, particularly in the United States.
David Goldman/Associated Press
United Methodists from around the world voted at the General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, on a measure that could end the church's operations. Ban on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage. The proposal, called regionalization, essentially would allow different geographic regions, such as North America, Europe, Africa, and the Philippines, to establish their own rules for missions. The Rev. Dee Stickley Miner, one of the plan's architects, said he is looking forward to being part of a denomination that is not centered around the United States. “We celebrate that this is the beginning of a new way of being as a global church, where our voices can really be heard and where we can listen to each other in new ways,” she said. Ta.
Reorganizing the United Methodist Church in this way would lift the ban on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy in the United States, making it far more likely that churches elsewhere could enact their own rules. Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, president-elect of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, said the vote sends a clear signal that the United Methodist Church is ready for a new path forward. “Certainly, it not only decentralizes the United States, it dismantles colonialism, it gives us a sense of agency and autonomy while keeping us missionary and connected,” she said. . Malone described the regionalization plan as keeping the church “one body” but with different expressions around the world.
A big concern in recent years is that while there appears to be a willingness to lift bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage in the United States, that sentiment is not widespread in other parts of the world, particularly Africa. Pastor Emmanuel Sinzohagera of the Burundi Conference of the United Methodist Church said he was satisfied with the restructuring plan. “What's important in Africa may not necessarily be important to you or the church in the United States, and what's important to you as a church may not necessarily be important to the church in Africa,” he said.
The regionalization plan passed with 78% of the vote, but still needs to be approved at the local annual meeting. They plan to take that step next year. Meanwhile, separate proposals to remove restrictive language regarding LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage World wide This is on the agenda for next week's United Methodist General Conference. But a vote on regionalization could make these proposals moot and perhaps less likely to pass.
Despite official bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage, many of the church's local geographic conferences, particularly in the United States, have chosen not to enforce them. Many congregations, dissatisfied with its non-enforcement, chose to leave the denomination, the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States.Some congregations became independent, while others joined more conservative congregations. for a moment It is called the Global Methodist Church. The deadline for so-called “secession” from the United Methodist Church was last December. More than 7,600 (about a quarter) congregations voted to leave. With the most conservative congregation gone, the path forward became clearer. Bishop Tracy Smith Malone said she was thrilled to preside over Thursday's regionalization vote, which comes after years of sectarian conflict. “She had to restrain herself,” she said with her big smile. “We will be working in the vineyard, and this is God’s vision.”
https://npr.org/2024/04/26/1247390905/united-methodist-church-umc-reorganization-lgbtq-same-sex-marriage-issues United Methodist Church begins reorganization over LGBTQ+ issues: NPR
