Updated May 11, 2024
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The Latest
PINNED: GMC Links has the latest news and developments in the Global Methodist Church.
“New Methodist Leader Talks Hope, Unity, Inclusiveness & God” by Ginny Baxter via Patheos. “The issues are complex, and the future of the United Methodist Church is far from certain. Yet, Bishop Tracy S. Malone peppers her conversation with words such as hope, unity, inclusiveness and God as she settles into her two-year term as president of the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) Council of Bishops.” (Added 5-11-2024)
“United Methodist Church in Denver celebrates LGBTQ+ inclusivity” via Fox31 (CO). “Flemming said the changes to the church are largely thanks to a split within the church that happened over the last couple of years, with more conservative Methodist churches disaffiliating from the denomination to create their own. The changes were made by the United Methodist Church’s governing body at a conference held every four years.” (Added 5-11-2024)
“Naming the Joy (of Being UMC in this Moment)” by Michael Roberts. “Let me count the ways for why I am proud to be a United Methodist in this moment and give thanks to God…” (Added 5-11-2024)
“Split imminent in United Methodist Church” via Zimbabwe Situation. In his statement, the Zimbabwean bishop said homosexuality remained taboo in Christian culture. “Lifting the ban on homosexuality does not change our position as Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, that homosexuality is an abomination to us Africans, and as espoused in the Bible the infallible word of God…” (Added 5-11-2024)
“Not a One Church Plan” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus.net. A summary of protective measures for traditionalists included in The One Church Plan but not included by the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-11-2024)
“Big, Earth-Shattering Moments From The United Methodist Church’s General Conference: The Inside Story” by Billy Hallowell via Christian Post. A podcast episode. (Added 5-11-2024)
“Sifting Through Misinformation around the UMC General Conference – A Conversation w/ Tom Lambrecht” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “In this conversation, Rev. Lambrecht helps me to sift through the different things being said about changes in sexual morality, options for disaffiliation, and degrees of progressive takeover. He gave me a lot of clarity.” (Added 5-11-2024)
“Weekly Livestream for May 10, 2024” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Discussion of recent events in Methodism from a traditionalist point of view. Includes information on legal warnings issued by the UMC against his livestream commentary of General Conference. (Added 5-11-2024)
“Without Debate” by Julie Todd. [See also this same Post on the Love Prevails Facebook Page.] “Bishops thought they were doing good to mitigate harm by using procedural maneuvers to avoid charges and endless, expensive trials that brought bad public relations to their doorsteps. They were stewards of violent, managerial policies and processes and rationalized what they did in the best interest of the institution and themselves. Evasions. Obfuscations. Backroom deals. Their justifications were always political and never theological, because of course none of this was ever justifiable theologically.” (Added 5-11-2024)
“A new day in the United Methodist Church” by David Taffet via Dallas Voice. “Although lesbians and gays had officially been banned from serving as clergy, enforcement of that ban varied from diocese to diocese. Joretta Marshall, for example, was ordained in the Methodist Church in Colorado and was out as she served as dean of Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth. And a number of other gays and lesbians already serving as ministers around the country, with at least two already elevated to bishop.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Creede Hinshaw: United Methodists’ ‘iceberg’ is melting under its hypocrisy” via Albany Herald. “Their new church is almost a carbon copy of the one they left, with the exception that departing churches own their property, a dubious change. Both old and new churches embrace the same historic Christian faith. Both use the same ritual of baptism and holy communion. Both know Jesus died for sin. Both know Mary was a virgin. Both have district superintendents and bishops. The churches could easily be mistaken for each other, except for their position on gay and lesbian Christians.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Imminent Breakaway In Methodist Church Over Votes To Accept LGBTQ People” via Independent Probe (Liberia). General news stitched together from various sources. (Added 5-10-2024)
“UMCSC churches have process to discern their future” via South Carolina UM Conference. The South Carolina Conference’s process for local churches seeking separation from the UMC. (Added 5-10-2024)
“UMCSC Trustees: Discerning the best use of God’s grace” via South Carolina UM Conference. “After 113 local churches in the South Carolina Conference separated from The United Methodist Church in 2023, the Trustees of the Annual Conference were entrusted with determining how best to use the seed that God has provided through the tithes of these departing congregations.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“2024 Departure Option for Local Churches” via South Georgia UM Conference. The accompanying timeline gives a July 15 deadline for inquiries and and informal meeting with the DS must also be completed by this date. (Added 5-10-2024)
Overheard: A Texas Church unable to leave prior to the expiration of ¶2553 decided to pursue the “bolt and run” strategy that National Center for Life and Liberty laid out for them since the UMC Trust Clause is not enforceable in Texas. The conference threatened them with legal action but they left anyway. This week Bishop Saenz’ assistant met with the lay leadership of the church and told them that the conference would let them depart with all of their property if they would agree to pay one year of apportionments, and NOT join the Global Methodist Church. (Added 5-10-2024)
“Episode 162: United Methodist Church Update” by John Stephens via Pod Have Mercy Podcast (YouTube). “Today we are joined by Rev. DeAndre Johnson and Pastor Lindsay Kirkpatrick to discuss some changes that are taking place in The United Methodist Church. John Stephens served as a delegate to the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The two-week long process uses the first week to divide into 14 different legislative committees connected to every part of the Book of Discipline, UMC church law and polity.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Opinion: Methodists Keep Up With the Times: The UMC opts for the secular culture’s take on sex over traditional Christian orthodoxy” by Carl Trueman via Wall Street Journal. “That, however, was also the year the UMC adopted a policy that allowed congregations to leave the denomination with their property. Traditionalists did so in droves, with more than 7,000 American churches departing in the past five years, preparing the way for the progressives’ triumph.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“General Conference Reflection: The room where it happened” by Denyse Barnes via Cal-Pac UM Conference. “As the elections for the chair commenced, I was blown away that the two people nominated were a black queer woman and a white man. Bishop Easterling was presiding and allowed questions from the seated committee members. It was very quickly exposed that the white man had assisted 133 churches to disaffiliate and also that he had in the past used conversion therapy on queer people. Not surprisingly he did not succeed with his nomination.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“General Conference Recap” by Bishop Sharma Lewis via Mississippi Conference UMC (YouTube). Focus on discernment and discipleship, not disaffiliation. (Added 5-10-2024)
“Room for Traditionalists?” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “It is highly ironic that at the 2019 General Conference, traditionalists passed an exit path for progressive congregations who could not abide by the Traditional Plan – an exit path that the vast majority of progressive churches were unwilling to use. But in 2024, the “champions of tolerance and grace” refused to pass an exit path for traditionalists who could not abide by the decisions made by this General Conference – an exit path that traditionalist congregations are more than willing to use.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“It is Time to Leave the United Methodist Church” by Jared Henry via blog. Nazarene pastor reflects on the actions of the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-10-2024)
Post by Stan Crosby via Facebook. A Northwest Texas Conference clergy withdraws his membership in the UMC following the actions of General Conference. (Added 5-10-2024)
“The Years of Nagging Are Over!” by Gabriel Bamba Mususwa via UM Insight. A Zambia delegate writes in support of regionalization. (Added 5-10-2024)
“‘I have come not to bring peace, but a sword’: Conflict and the Body of Christ” by David Watson via Substack. Written in light of Methodist divisions: “peace should be our default setting as Christians, but sometimes conflict is necessary.” (Added 5-10-2024)
Unification Plan for the Central, North, and Northwest Texas Conferences of the UMC. The Horizon Texas Conference: “In response to new realities, the mission of The United Methodist Church (UMC), to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, has ignited a vision of unity among United
Methodists of the Central Texas Conference (CTC), the North Texas Conference (NTC) and the
Northwest Texas Conference (NWTC).” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Responding to the Decisions of the Recent General Conference” by Hughey Reynolds via blog. “…the forgone conclusion that a local church which holds conservative values should now leave the denomination because of the changes enacted by General Conference is a misguided emotional reaction.” (Added 5-10-2024)
Post by Mary John Dye via Facebook. A progressive clergy responds to Chris Ritter’s Info Sheet on Notable Changes that run counter to Traditional Methodism. (Added 5-10-2024)
“Navigating the Paradox of Inclusion” by Bill Foster via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “The danger arises when the principle of inclusion is oversimplified or absolutized, detaching it from the broader context of Christian doctrine. An overemphasis on inclusivity can inadvertently lead to a new form of exclusion. For instance, the zealous pursuit of inclusiveness can sideline those who hold traditional interpretations or prioritize doctrinal fidelity. This results in the creation of an ‘in-group’ characterized by a perceived inclusivity and an ‘out-group’ of those who dissent, ironically fostering the very division the inclusive intent sought to eliminate.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“‘There was palpable joy’: Lubbock United Methodist Church reacts to ban lifted on LGBTQ clergy” by Julianna Washburn via Everything Lubbock. “Nick Harpster, who is the public relations and advocacy coordinator for LubbbockPRIDE, said he hopes this change in LGBTQ inclusion when it comes to religion, can carry on to other denominations as well.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“What next for Methodist churches after major change to LGBTQ+ stance?” by Jeff Keeling and Clarice Scheele via WJHL (TN). “I know there are some people that have indicated, ‘I can’t stay here anymore,’ and I understand that, I fully understand that,” Frye, who’s been a UMC pastor for 43 years, told News Channel 11 Wednesday as light poured through the windows of First Broad Street UMC. “I don’t like it, because I hate to see them leave.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Creeping Heresy in Methodism – A Conversation with Andrew V. Sullivan” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Andrew V. Sullivan is a PhD candidate in History, doing his dissertation on Wesleyanism, currently completing his program at Liberty University. A sixth-generation Texan, he aims to serve the Global Methodist Church in the academy, helping to train up a new generation of faithful Methodist clergy to spread scriptural holiness across the land. He is of exceptional knowledge in Methodist history and theology.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“Approved language of Par. 425.1, Open Itinerancy” via Daily Christian Advocate Online. Annual conferences are now to train local church PPRC Committees to receive pastors regardless of sexual orientation. This was approved 606-91 at the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-9-2024)
“GC Wrap-Up with Livestream” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. A May 14 panel livestream will feature Bishop David Wilson and Great Plains delegation folks. (Added 5-9-2024)
Post by Mike Holly via Facebook (Brian Erickson’s post). A response to the “What Happened at General Conference” summary authored by Chris Ritter. (Added 5-9-2024)
“Joe DiPaolo: What I Saw at General Conference” via PeopleNeedJesus.net. “I saw a denomination which has now fully embraced the progressive political vision of contemporary American society. As a result, it has sacrificed its identity as a colony of the kingdom of God which transcends the politics of any individual nation and undermined its ability to speak prophetically to all sides and factions in American society – or in any other.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“The United Methodist Church Embraces Sin” via Voice of Reason Radio. “This week, Chris addresses the recent decision by the United Methodist Church to overturn the prohibition on ordained actively homosexual persons and why this matters to the church at large.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“A Post Mortem on the UMC – A Conversation with Rob Renfroe of Good News” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “He knew that the long term agenda of evangelicals would lose, so he gave no resistance. His only purpose in attending was to support those remaining evangelicals who would otherwise be trapped, advocating for a way for them to exit. For that, he was maligned and insulted, even by a person or two speaking on the floor of plenary. I wanted to take some time to hear from Rob himself to ask about things that went on behind the scenes at General Conference, and to ask him about his plans for the future now that this chapter has closed.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“UMC pastor: Church’s LGBT vote goes too far” by Will Davis via Monroe County Reporter (Macon, GA). “They have gone a little too far.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“Draw The Circle Wide”—United Methodist Church Repeals Ban on Gay Clergy, Allows LGBTQ Weddings” by Elisha Goselin via World Religion News. “We get it, the United Methodist Church wants to be done with disaffiliation,” said the Rev. Rob Renfroe, president of the conservative advocacy group Good News. “They want to step into this new day. We do not want to keep them from that. But how can disaffiliation be over when it never began for the majority of United Methodists?” (Added 5-9-2024)
“You Think You Know the Word of God. But What If It Changes | Opinion” by Paul Prather via Lexington Herald-Journal. [paywall] (Added 5-9-2024)
“‘Very Liberating’: Local Methodists Exult in New Openness to LGBTQ Clergy, Members” via Lakeland Ledger (FL). [paywall] Bishop Berlin interviewed. (Added 5-9-2024)
“Regionalization of the United Methodist Church” via World. “Some African churches want to restructure the denomination while others believe that sacrifices Biblical orthodoxy.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“The United Methodist Church just held a historic vote in favor of LGBT inclusion. Here’s what that means for the organization’s future” by Sarah Maddox via CBS News. Boyette does not think regionalization will be helpful for the United Methodist Church. “I believe in the long run, there will be a decline in the membership of the United Methodist Church because of the decisions it has made,” he said. (Added 5-9-2024)
“No, the UMC Isn’t Over; Quite the Opposite” by Mary John Dye via UM Insight. Response to WCA’s most recent article. (Added 5-9-2024)
“A pastoral letter on the United Methodist Church General Conference” by Bishop Elizabeth Eaton via ELCA. “These significant actions and the UMC’s witness to the ecumenical vocation we share come as we celebrate 15 years of full communion. The ELCA rejoices and gives thanks to God for the opportunity to proclaim together, from this point forward, that Christian teaching is for all people and that the gifts of all are welcome and needed to serve Christ’s church.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“WJ to keep 5 bishops, must transfer 2 from other jurisdictions” by Alyssa Fisher via Western Jurisdiction. “The report also answered a looming question of how the Western Jurisdiction would fill upcoming vacancies left by retiring Bishops Karen Oliveto and Minerva Carcaño. The approved recommendation of the committee is to move two bishops from other jurisdictions into the Western Jurisdiction.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“Local leaders discuss Methodists’ changes to LGBTQ+ stance” via WJHL (TN). “This is the first of a two-day look at liberalizing changes to United Methodist Church (UMC) policy and positions surrounding human sexuality and LGBTQ+ issues that were approved at the church’s just-concluded General Conference. It features analysis and opinion from two Northeast Tennessee delegates and longtime UMC leaders — one theologically conservative and one theologically liberal, but both intent on remaining committed to the denomination.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“UMC General Conference? Talk with Jordan Peterson?” by Daniel Hixon via YouTube. A former UM, now Anglican, offers a summary video of what happened at the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-9-2024)
“Broken Legacy: United Methodist General Conference Explained” by Church History Short Stories via YouTube. 25-minute summary video: “From the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas to small churches like New Hope United Methodist, the United Methodists have undergone a dramatic shift. The UMC division and infighting, and the way it came about, can be hard to understand. The General Conference of the UMC has met and there is happiness, hurt feelings, and anger. This video describes the changes and the controversies.” (Added 5-9-2024)
Post by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. Tuesday Vespers video includes some reflections on General Conference, including Hamilton’s discomfort with how people were asked to introduce themselves at plenary sessions, and GMC critiques. Defends change in chargeable offenses. (Added 5-8-2024)
“General Conference Debrief Information” via The Kentucky UM Conference. Summary document of legislative enactments of the General Conference, along with comments by Bishop Fairley. (Added 5-8-2024)
“The Powerless Church” by Cal Thomas [no paywall on this one] via Townhall. “Marriage between a man and a woman IS compatible with Christian teaching. The majority of delegates should read and obey the Scriptures that John Wesley, the founder of their denomination, preached without compromise.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Filipino Provisional Annual Conferences Flourishing in the Global Methodist Church” by Walter Fenton via GMC. “Like all regions beyond the U.S., United Methodist local churches in the Philippines were not allowed to exercise a UM Church provision to disaffiliate from the denomination. Nevertheless, the Mega-Manila conference has eighteen local churches, ten mission churches, and it is currently reviewing the applications for three more. The largest church, St. John Methodist Church in Quezon City, averages over 150 in worship, while smaller congregations in outlying villages average around 40. The local churches in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face some governmental restrictions when it comes to building churches; they tend to meet in homes or rent venues for church activities.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Investigative reporter says UMC’s sin-affirming road was paved with left-wing money” by Parrish Alford & Billy Davis via American Family News. “According to its own words, another target for the Arcus Foundation is the continent of Africa and African nations. The press release mentions Africa four times. Groups such as Reconciling Ministries Network, mentioned above, is also trying to “win over” religious leaders in Liberia. A group called Fellowship Global is working in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Progressive Ideology and the Downfall of Mainline Denominations” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “Today it can be argued that Machen’s perspective was correct and his critics were wrong. It is not that “fundamentalism” (conservative Christianity) was dying and modernism was the wave of the future. It is rather that the Christianity represented by the modernist leaders of the mainline churches is dying and that evangelical and traditionalist Christianity, so spurned by the modernists of 100 years ago, is the best hope for the future of the faith.” (Added 5-8-2024)
Overheard: The new Par. 425.1 of the UMC Book of Discipline reads: “¶ 425.1. Responsibility—1. Clergy shall be appointed by the bishop, who is empowered to make and fix all appointments in the episcopal area of which the annual conference is a part. Appointments are to be made with consideration of the gifts and evidence of God’s grace of those appointed, to the needs, characteristics, and opportunities of congregations and institutions, and with faithfulness to the commitment to an open itineracy. Open itineracy means appointments are made without regard to race, ethnicity origin, gender, color, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or age, except for the provisions of mandatory retirement. Annual conferences shall, in their training of staff-parish relations committees, emphasize the open nature of itineracy and prepare congregations to receive the gifts and graces of appointed clergy without regard to race, ethnicity origin, gender, color, disability, marital status, economic condition, sexual orientation, or age. The concept of itineracy is important, and sensitive attention should be given in appointing clergy with physical challenges to responsibilities and duties that meet their gifts and graces. Through appointment-making, the connectional nature of the United Methodist system is made visible.” Per Petition 20315-HS-¶425.1-G (Added 5-8-2024)
“United Methodism: How Conservative Won the Debate, but Lost the Denomination” by Jack Johnson via First Things. “First, the UMC is fast lurching to the left. Second, progressives didn’t take over the denomination by presenting a compelling vision so much as by simply ignoring the denomination’s democratic form of church law to such a degree that the denomination itself became ungovernable, leading to a mass exit of conservatives. Third, this “new” direction for the UMC came about not through “the work of God,” as many progressives argue, but rather because the pandemic allowed the UMC bureaucracy to strike a final blow against the democratic majority. Finally, Methodist/Wesleyan denominations around the world remain remarkably unified in defending traditional Christian teaching on human sexuality. Only the British Methodist Church (one of the few Wesleyan denominations declining more quickly than the UMC) has also significantly altered its church law regarding human sexuality.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Upholding Faith and Unity: The Case for Remaining United Methodist Amidst General Conference Decision to Amend the Book of Discipline” by Jefferson Knight via UM Insight. “Here in Africa, where cultural norms and legal frameworks often prohibit same-gender marriage, the approval of the ordination of gay pastors within the United Methodist Church poses a challenge to traditional beliefs and values. However, the passage of the regionalization petition offers a path forward that allows African United Methodists to maintain our faith and continue our ministry in accordance with biblical principles, cultural context, and national laws.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Episode 998: Methodists Change their Pronouns to was/were” via Relatable Podcast with Allie Beth. “Today, we discuss the United Methodist Church’s recent decision to allow the ordination of self-proclaimed homosexuals as well as same-sex “marriage.” The United Methodist Church has struggled with this issue for the past few years and even strengthened its position on traditional marriage in 2019. So, what changed?” (Added 5-8-2024)
“‘The Storm is Passing Over’” by Andi Woodworth via Georgia Voice. “There will be more storms ahead. The United Methodist Church still has work to do to deconstruct our embedded racism and structural colonialism. We have much to repent of and to repair in our relationships with the LGBTQ community. If I am any example, squalls may come up, and tears will be shed as joy and grief pop up as we mark this moment. However, for United Methodists, it seems like something major has shifted. The storm of exclusion is passing over. Hallelujah!” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Homosexuality neither sin nor heresy: UMC” by Choi Si-young via Korea Herald. ““The Bible says homosexuality is a sin and consecrating gay clergy amounts to heresy,” President Jung Seo-young of the Christian Council of Korea said in a statement Saturday, made in response to the UMC decision to lift its 40-year-old ban on ordaining gay clergy Wednesday…. “The UMC has never taught that homosexuality is a sin. Some individual United Methodists may have believed this, and that would be their right, but the denomination has never taught this,” the Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards, a United Methodist Communications director, told The Korea Herald.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Uniting the United Methodist Church” by Barry Yeoman via The Assembly. “The church’s General Conference, which concluded last week in Charlotte, was the first test of whether the remaining members can forge a new path on same-sex marriage, lesbian and gay clergy, and international accord.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Next Generation Institutional Hope – A Conversation with Mark Tooley” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “In this conversation, Mark and I talk Wesleyan political theory and try to share an understanding of how contemporary institutions work. Mark explains his political framework of choice, Whiggery, alongside other models of more reactionary conservatism (which I generally adopt). It is a robust discourse, in which a final hope for the Global Methodist Church is offered. I hope this conversation is a blessing to you in the way that it was to me.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“A Response to the Primates Meeting in Rome” via Gafcon (Anglican Communion). “The truth is that most of those who refused to attend are leaders of Gafcon and the Global South, and our absence was not accidental, but intentional. Though we do pray for the unity and health of the Anglican Communion, we chose not to attend because, as last year’s Kigali Statement made clear, the current divisions within the Anglican Communion are neither minimal nor new. These divisions have arisen from more than 25 years of “repeated departures from the authority of God’s Word” that, despite the persistent warnings given by the majority of Anglican Primates, have continued unabated.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Friends, we are not where we were!” by Bishop Frank Beard via Illinois Great Rivers UM Conference. “The dust has not settled, but it is clear and obvious that the United Methodist Church has changed. Some would argue that it has changed for the better, and others that it has changed for the worse. Your local church can and will make the decision on how the action of the General Conference affects your congregation….The IGRC will offer an opportunity for churches to enter a process for exercising a gracious exit. This process will be shared at the Annual Conference session in June 2024.” (Added 5-7-2024)
Overheard (Updated): Local reaction stories abound: See Dallas News, WBOY, The Chronicle, and Beaumont Enterprise, KEVN, Journal & Topics (Chicago Area), Oak Ridger. WCTV (FL). (Added 5-7-2024)
“God breaking down walls: UMC ends ban on gay clergy, same-sex marriages” by Crystal Graham via Augusta Free Press. “The climate in the United Methodist Church is very different than the climate in 1972, the year I was born. Incidentally, that was the same year I was declared to be incompatible with Christian teaching,” she said. “This declaration was made one month before I was born.” Fretwell is what she calls “neuro-queer;” she grew up in New Hope, a small town in ruby-red Augusta County, a place that gay people often find unforgiving and cruel. (Added 5-7-2024)
“After Vote to Repeal LGBTQ Bans, Many Gay Methodists Are Now Fully Out” by Yonat Shimron via Word & Way (RNS). “But for Daly, a 42-year-old gay man, the actions of his denomination carried personal symbolism, too. As the first same-sex married minister in the North Carolina Conference or region, he was freed of the heavy burden of having to negotiate his identity in a denomination that until last week officially sanctioned and censured people like him.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“UMC Bishops To Promote Ratification of Regionalization Legislation” via UMC Council of Bishops. “The Council of Bishops has unanimously agreed to dedicate time, effort, and encouragement to promoting ratification across the connection and providing leadership to every annual conference. Constitutional amendments must be passed by two-thirds of the aggregate/combined votes of all annual conferences.” (Added 5-7-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “Good piece but conservatives “lost” denomination by 1920s. They continued as subculture until denomination no longer mattered & was in fact an albatross, prompting their recent largely successful exit.” (Added 5-7-2024)
Information Sheet: “What Happened at the General Conference of the UMC?: Version 2.2” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus (Four-page PDF). This version provides additional detail about the new category of “sexual orientation” added eleven times as a diversity category for the general boards, judicial council, the Connectional Table, and conference leadership bodies. (Added 5-7-2024)
Tweet Thread by Liam Adam: A religion reporter working for The Tennessean wraps up his coverage of the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-7-2024)
“Methodists Gone Wide” by Gene Veith via Patheos. [paywall] “The United Methodists were willing to break their church for the cause of homosexuality…” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Presbyterians’ Latest Sexuality Showdown Follows Methodists’ Historic Shift” by Richard Ostling via Religion Unplugged. “While that drama develops, the sexuality spotlight shifts to America’s Presbyterian Church (USA), which has already approved gay clergy and marriage but is heading into a different sexuality fuss that carries some risk of another church split…No doubt the hottest issue there will be proposed amendments to the Book of Order that affect remaining Presbyterians who oppose the new sexuality. The proposal comes from Olympia Presbytery in Washington State, with concurrences filed by regional presbyteries in six other states. One amendment would add “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to the categories in which discrimination has “no place in the life of the Church.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“‘Our Views on Marriage Remain Unchanged’: Methodist Church in Singapore Responds to Vote by America’s United Methodist Church” via Salt & Light. “MCS has been autonomous from the UMC since 1968. MCS has its own Book of Discipline which embodies and preserves its core Methodist beliefs, order and rules as exemplified by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Forty Years” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “Greg Neal, my former pastor who’d been run out of the North Texas Conference because he dared marry his husband, Kade, drew me into a giant bear hug. We wept almost uncontrollably on one another’s shoulders, scarcely daring to believe that the words “self-avowed practicing homosexual” were no longer a bar to ordination.” (Added 5-7-2024)
Tweet by Chris Ritter: “Just to review: A ‘doctrine’ is something a church teaches. A ‘doctrinal standard’ is a measure to which those doctrines are to conform. Have a great day.” [UMC doctrine has changed. UMC doctrinal standards are nearly impossible to change.] (Added 5-7-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “I’m grateful to serve a church where no one has sent me an angry email saying they are leaving The UMC because it has removed harmful anti-LGBTQ language from our polity. Not. A. Single. One. I realize my privilege 😢 My heart goes out to those with different responses.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Pastoral Response to UMC General Conference” by Daniel Humbert via Trietsch UMC. Pastor of a large church in Flower Mound Texas says church doctrine has not change and highlights local decision-making. (Added 5-7-2024)
“UMC Makes Historic Shift: Reverses Gay Policies and Embarks on Worldwide Restructuring” by Ginny Baxter via BeliefNet. A round-up of General Conference actions, focusing on regionalization. (Added 5-7-2024)
“Eight Reasons the Church Should Not Embrace LGBTQ-Affirming Theology” by Gary Stidham. “Last week, the UMC embraced a view of sexuality that is rejected by virtually all “majority-world” Christians in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It’s rejected by the persecuted church around the world and, actually, every church in history – from the time of the Apostles until fifty years ago after the Sexual Revolution. But the UMC’s new view of sexuality IS embraced by Hollywood, mainstream media, elite universities, and most major corporations. The UMC isn’t becoming more authentically Christian; it has become more worldly.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“The United Methodist Church: A Celebration of Global Unity” commentary via Dallas News. [paywall] “With 11 million members in 60 countries representing our unity and diversity, the mission of the United Methodist Church transcends borders…” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Churches React to UMC Homosexuality Position” via The Herald (Zimbabwe). The Council of Churches Founder thanks the Zimbabwean delegation for resisting.Bishop Moyo: “Whether I am paid, I would not accept that.” See also coverage here as ecumenical bodies in Zimbabwe reject the actions of the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-7-2024)
“The United Methodist Church is No More” by Scott Field via WCA. “Last Friday (May 3), nearly two weeks after it began, the General Conference came to an end. So did the United Methodist Church itself…at least the UMC as we have known it. Some rejoice at a birth to be celebrated. Others grieve a death to be mourned. How about you?” (Added 5-7-2024)
“The UMC General Conference: What Happened?” by Mark Tooley via Firebrand Magazine. “Progressives swept the table at General Conference, opposed only by Africans and a smattering of remaining U.S. traditionalists, with perhaps a few Filipinos and Europeans. One third of the delegate seats were supposed to have been African. But visa problems kept 25-30% of African delegates from attending.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“United Methodist Church Formally Abandons Biblical Standards for Human Sexuality” via West Virginia WCA. Reprint of PNJ Summary, and links to two other summaries. (Added 5-6-2024)
“Discussing The UMC General Conference & Plans Forward | With @plainspokenpod” via Method Ministries (YouTube). Interview with Jeffrey Rickman about the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-6-2024)
“Requiem” by James Gibson. “The discipline of holiness of heart and life willfully cast aside for indulgence in homosexual hedonism. The preaching of Christ crucified callously rejected for “social justice” virtue signaling. A rich heritage of Christian hymnody gleefully trampled upon while dancing to the music of the O’Jays.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Full interview: Bishop Karen Oliveto” via Next9News (YouTube). “One of the largest Christian denominations in the country made history today led by United Methodists here in Colorado and the West. United Methodist Church delegates overwhelmingly voted to repeal the church’s ban on LGBTQ clergy.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Pastor looks to future after United Methodist Church revised its LGBTQ policies” by KSHB (Kansas) (YouTube). LGBTQ pastor interviewed. Lay leader, “This doesn’t mean we are happy about more people leaving the church.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“African Methodists take a stand for biblical marriage after United Methodist Church adopts pro-LGBT measures” by Chris Enloe via The Blaze. “A group of African Methodists released a statement last week, taking a stand for orthodox Christian teaching on sexual ethics. The United Methodist Church joined ranks with other progressive American denominations last week when, at its general conference, the church reversed prohibitions on LGBT clergy, same-sex weddings, and rules against LGBT-practicing members.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Letter from America: We love the Methodists; Zimbabwe’s Bishop tells US General Conference!” By Ken Mufuka via News Day (Zimbabwe). “Methodist Bishops are funded from the General Episcopal Fund decided upon by the General Conference. Whereas African bishops receive each an emolument of US$88,888 each, their US counterparts receive US$180,900 each. Further African educational institutions are generously funded from the General Conference. The US saints, though now a minority in the Global United Methodist Church, bear by far over half the costs of the church. Oliveto’s heresies go beyond same sex marriage. If Oliveto and her cohorts have their way, in addition to same sex marriages.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Supporting LGBTQ+ Friends and Family as an Ally: Areas for active support of queer people in 2024, from religion to healthcare” by Nancy Freeborne via Psychology Today. “The United Methodist Church recently made a bold move that will likely break their larger organization into smaller units. In one group will be those who support LGBTQ+ church members and clergy, and in the other, those who actively oppose active gay people in the church or who subtly dismiss them. This large mainline Protestant church leadership voted to reverse a ban on practicing gay clergy, a welcome change for many who worship in the Methodist tradition.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Defiant rainbow warriors in UMC jubilant over a ‘fictional’ Jesus” by Parrish Alford via American Family News. “There were some holdouts still within the denomination but that, of course, is an overwhelming super-majority of people to abandon the biblical position on the issue,” Joseph Backholm told the Washington Watch program last Friday. (Added 5-6-2024)
“Opinion: The Powerless Church” by Cal Thomas via The News Herald. On the UMC: A powerless church tells us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. (Added 5-6-20204)
“Alumni Testimonials from Historic 2024 UMC General Conference” vis Boston University School of Theology. “As a historical United Methodist seminary, Boston University School of Theology has a strong contingent of alums — including Bishop LaTrelle Easterling (STH ‘04), Bishop Sally Dyck (STH ‘78, CAS 76), and Bishop Deborah Kiesey (STH ‘76) — who attend and participate in the General Conference, in addition to sending a group of students to the Conference on a travel seminar.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“A New Home for Many Methodists” by Matthew White via The Stand (AFA). “Though initially opposed to it, Tooley now sees the GMC as a necessary and worthwhile endeavor.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Methodists remove anti-LGBTQ policies” by Brian Bromberger via Bay Area News (San Francisco). “Delegates also adopted a revised broader definition of marriage ‘as a sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith (adult man and adult woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into a union of one another and into deeper relationship with God and the religious community.'” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodist Church Repeals Biblical Rules on Homosexuality: A former lesbian’s perspective” by Janet Boynes via The Stream. “Unfortunately, the United Methodist Church as a whole has chosen to align with the deceptive theology that Jesus died so we can feel good about ourselves as we continue to live in sin.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Historic Changes at General Conference Lead to Emotional Service at Lafayette’s First United Methodist Church” by Todd Rossnagel via Louisiana UM Conference. Rev. Katrena King expressed dual sentiments: celebration of progress and lament of past pains. “We felt it was important for us to come together and worship, to pray and give thanks, to both celebrate the changes in our denomination and also lament the pain that preceded this change,” Rev. King stated. (Added 5-6-2024)
“An expert lays out the United Methodist Church’s journey to end its LGBTQ ban” by Diego Lopez and Arun Rath via All Things Considered (NPR). “GBH’s All Things Considered host Arun Rath spoke about this shift with Graham Kelder, who teaches religion, politics and law at Suffolk University, and who is a member of the Methodist Church himself.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Global Methodist speaker: More United Methodist churches will leave over LGBTQ ‘debacle’” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “Gene Floore, lay leader for the Alabama Emerald Coast Conference of the Global Methodist Church, predicted that the General Conference’s official change in policy would lead to a new wave of United Methodists leaving to join the Global Methodist Church, which has staked out a more conservative position on social issues.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodist Church” via Wikipedia. Article on the UMC updated to include outcomes from General Conference. (Added 5-6-2024)
“4 ‘woke’ moments from UMC General Conference” via Christian Post. “From pronouns to diversity monitors, the following pages highlight four occurrences at the UMC General Conference that raised the eyebrows of critics, including the popular Twitter account Woke Preacher Clips. ” (Added 5-6-2024)
Overheard: Regarding the National Center for Life and Liberty litigation involving 38 local congregations against the Baltimore-Washington Conference (BWC) of the UMC, NCLL has filed a motion for disqualification in regards to the Honorable (Judge) Michael Malone who has been assigned the case. Per the motion, on April 23, 2024 during a Conference Status meeting, Judge Malone disclosed that he and family members are parishioners of a local UMC congregation within the BWC. (Added 5-6-2024)
Post by Mary John Dye via Facebook. Decries misinformation in a UMC/GMC comparison chart. (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodists took historic steps toward inclusion but ‘big tent’ work has just begun” by Liam Adams via USA Today (Yahoo! News). “It may take some time,” Texas pastor the Rev. John Stephens, a general conference delegate, said at a Thursday news conference, accompanied by a fellow delegate and three bishops. “I think the church is going to have to earn some trust.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Zim United Methodist clerics lose fight to block gay rights” via ZimNow (Zimbabwe). Forbes Matonga: ““This is for us a betrayal of The Gospel of Jesus Christ in favour of Western secular culture. The United Methodist Church is a Connectional Church, meaning one church found on four Continents. “So, what happens to one part of the body affects all. Our children are at risk of being introduced and being dragged into this heathen culture as they go and get educated in the United Methodist Universities and Colleges in the USA,” he said. (Added 5-6-2024)
“African Church Elder Stands Firm Against Denomination’s Rewrite of Marriage, Holds Bible High and Declares ‘This Is the Word of God’” by Jack Davis via Western Journal. “Liberian delegate Rev. Jerry Kulah of the Africa Initiative said, Methodists are ‘willing to lose Africans and Africa to fulfill this progressive agenda.'” (Added 5-6-2024)
“In lopsided vote, what remains of UMC hits bottom of slippery slope” by Steve Jordahl via AFA News. Sidebar: “UMC delegates lectured about rules of progressivism” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodist Church Votes to Embrace LGBTQ Clergy and Same Sex Marriages in Historic Shift” by Sarah Johnson via Hoodline. “Fueling the long-awaited reform, approximately 25% of conservative UMC congregations broke away from the fold between 2019 and 2023—a move that significantly tilted the scales toward the inclusion of LGBTQ individuals in church operations. Jeff Koperski, a religious studies professor at SVSU, explained to ABC12, “This is going to be something that opens up the opportunity for gay weddings, gay clergy, and a whole bunch of other things.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodist Church’s change on same-sex marriage triggers discordant voices from Africa” by Obed Minchakpu via Christian Daily Africa. “The Mainstream UMC is responsible for pushing this satanic agenda in the United Methodist Church. Rev. Ande’s shift in position shows he cannot be trusted to remain faithful to the ethics and doctrines of the Christian faith. We should not be deceived, gay marriages will not be restricted in America alone, but will affect the global UMC congregations,” Absalom said. (Added 5-6-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “Always amazing when USA progressives insist African Christians don’t have their own strong views but are just manipulated by USA traditionalists.” [link to Mark Wingfield article] (Added 5-6-2024)
“And also with the UMC: Where doctrine ends and culture begins” by Mark Wingfield via Baptist News Global. “This is not an African issue; it is an American issue. It is the same battle every Protestant denomination in America has fought in recent years. And it is a battle for strict orthodoxy to a certain way of reading the Bible often touted as biblical inerrancy. It allows no collaboration or compromise.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“What the UMC Really Just Did” by James Emery White. “So in capitulating to culture, the UMC has not saved it’s future, but instead ensured its lack of one.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“A Critique of General Conference Actions” via PDF. A thorough critique of the actions of the recent General Conference of the UMC from a traditionalist source. This includes links to legislation and offers detailed analysis on several points. (Added 5-6-2024)
PNJ Info Sheet: “What Happened at the United Methodist General Conference? Version 2.0” by Chris Ritter (PDF). This version corrects a statement that the funding ban (Pars. 806.9, 613.19) was not only eliminated, but reversed. Although the petition called for it to be reversed, the legislative committee removed this feature. I apologize for the error. The revised summary reads: “Annual conference and general church monies are no longer prohibited from being used to promote the acceptance of homosexuality. The General Commission on Archives and History has already announced the formation of a new “Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage” using apportionment dollars.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodists accept LGBTQ clergy a year after fallout at historic Shreveport church” by Brendan Heffernan via Shreveport Bossier City Advocate. “Downtown Shreveport’s First Methodist Church voted overwhelmingly to disaffiliate with the United Methodists last year and has since become one of a few dozen Ark-La-Tex churches to affiliate with the Global Methodists, according to the Trinity Provisional Annual Conference, the Global Methodist governing body over East Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“Methodists end anti-gay bans, closing 50 years of battles over sexuality for mainline Protestants” by Peter Smith via AP. “The reversals can be seen as marking the end of a half-century of epic battles and schisms over LGBTQ involvement — not only in the United Methodist Church but in U.S. mainline Protestant denominations overall. Those are the tall-steeple churches in myriad town squares and rural crossroads, traditionally “big-tent” and culturally mainstream congregations — some predating America’s independence.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Blessing for Queer Siblings and Allies – Lea Matthews” via St. Paul and St. Andrew (YouTube). “All harmful language against queer persons like the incompatibility clause or the reductive and hurtful definitions of queer identity as “self-avowed” or “practicing” have been removed from the Discipline. All oppressive or restrictive structures of exclusion directed towards queer persons like marriage bans, ordination bans, immorality charges, and wedding bans on church property, have been lifted from the Discipline. Hooray! Hallelujah! It was thrilling to be there, to witness justice being built back, one small piece at a time.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“A Tale of a New Church” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. A summary of UMC General Conference actions. (Added 5-5-2024)
“What Did You Expect?” by Lynn Malone. “I’m not one to say, “I told you so,” so I won’t tell you that what I expected to happen, happened. What happened? The United Methodist Church changed this week.” (Added 5-5-2024)
PNJ Info Sheet: “What Happened at the United Methodist General Conference? Version 1.7” by Chris Ritter (PDF). This version clarifies that divestment from Israel by church agencies is urged, not mandated. This version adds changes to Par. 304.2 (ordination standards) that leave room for single clergy to have consenting, monogamous sex. (Added 5-5-2024)
Overheard: Late in General Conference, ordination Standards were changed to allow sex outside of marriage. In 20173-FO-¶304.2-G, Ordination standards were changed as follows: “fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, social responsibility, and growth in grace and in the knowledge and love of God social responsibility, and faithful sexual intimacy expressed through fidelity, monogamy, commitment, mutual affection and respect, careful and honest communication, mutual consent, and growth in grace and in the knowledge and love of God.” Monogamous sex outside of marriage is no longer expressly prohibited for single UMC clergy. The original petition recommended replacing “celibacy” with “chastity.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“A Biblical-Theological Reflection on the Journey to Full-Inclusion in the UMC” by John Alexander Wright via Facebook. “Why has it been so hard for our disaffiliating siblings to see that they placed their trust in and loyalty to an outdated code, instead of “faith working through love”? That they confused loyalty to a previous era’s sexual ethic with loyalty to Christ (to quote H. Richard Niebuhr)?” (Added 5-5-2024)
“A UMC Enroute to the New UMC” by Steve Harper via Facebook. “Doing this, being the Unreviling Methodist Church, we will indeed be enroute to becoming the United Methodist Church that was so courageously and joyfully envisioned and enacted the past two weeks.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“UMCGC: What just happened? The 3Rs Legislative Summary” via Reconciling Ministries Network. A six-page General Conference legislative summary from RMN. (Added 5-5-2024)
“The United Methodist Church is Finally Repenting of Its LGBTQ Discrimination” by John Pavlovitz. “As someone who served in the UMC for 17 years, nearly a decade of those in one of the 100 largest churches in the country—it’s about damn time!” (Added 5-5-2024)
“Wrap-up Video: General Conference 2020” via Resource UMC. A 10-minute summary video. (Added 5-5-2024)
“UMC Africa: Unity Statement: We Have Confidence in the UMC” by Ande Immanuel via Facebook. The head of Africa Voices for Unity argues that a statement put forth by Jerry Kulah does not reflect most Africans. (Added 5-5-2024)
“The Regionalization of the Bible?” by Robert Hunt. “It would be interesting to know exactly where the idea of “regionalization of the Bible” came from, but a good guess is that it came from Good News Movement propaganda based on recent writings by Rob Renfroe and others.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“What now?” by John Meunier. “Those of us who feel more loss than gain in the changes the UMC is undergoing will need to navigate our way a bit like aliens and exiles in a foreign land.” Find some friends. Figure out your theology. Follow Jesus Christ. (Added 5-5-2024)
“Methodists-Uncertain Future” via North Virginia Daily (Associated Press). “When the United Methodist Church removed anti-LGBTQ language from its official rules in recent days, it marked the end of a half-century of debates over LGBTQ inclusion in mainline Protestant denominations. The moves sparked joy from progressive delegates, but the UMC faces many of the same challenges as Lutheran, Presbyterian and Episcopal denominations that took similar routes, from schisms to friction with international churches to the long-term aging and shrinking of their memberships.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“A milestone reached in mainline Protestant churches’ decades-old disputes over LGBTQ inclusion” by The Associated Press. This timeline highlights key milestones and flashpoints within the UMC, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Church of Christ, as well as in civic life. (Added 5-5-2024)
“‘A better church is possible:’ Methodists celebrate as the church embraces the LGBTQ” by Chelsea Bailey via CNN. “I’m trans and that means if I’m going to be honest with myself and authentic in how I show up in the world, I’m going to have to wade into not just my own congregation, but into my denomination,” Woodworth said. “I was really not sure how that would go.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“Day 11: Final Day. We Did it!” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “So, take Bishop Sharma Lewis of Mississippi for example. She has refused to follow the abeyance and has continued to file charges against LGBTQ clergy and their allies in her conference. She was actually the presiding bishop on Wednesday when we approved the consent calendar ending chargeable offenses for clergy. (The irony was not lost on many.) She has drawn the ire of her own jurisdiction for her actions; there is no way she would be welcome in the much more progressive Western or Northeastern Jurisdictions. So, even bishops who could move might be hard to move.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Controversy erupts as United Methodist Church embraces homosexuality, Zimbabwean delegation fumes” by Cynthia Goba via My Zimbabwe News. “However, the Zimbabwean delegation, which was in the minority, said Western culture was eroding traditional church values and posed a risk to younger generations. Speaking from the US, one of the delegates Reverend Forbes Matonga said the decision passed was a betrayal to all Africans and the church at large.” (Added 5-5-2024)
Updated: “What Happened at the United Methodist General Conference?” by Chris Ritter via Team Caffeine (PDF). A summary of legislative actions by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting in Charlotte. [This version includes the detail that the funding ban was not only removed, but reversed.] (Added 5-4-2024)
Overheard: The ban on UMC funds from being used to promote homosexuality was not just eliminated, but reversed. According to UMNS, the provision now says GCFA “should ensure that church funds do not go to anything that rejects LGBTQ people.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Methodists split and now made BIG changes this week (The Whole Story)” by Ready to Harvest (YouTube). Twenty-minute feature: “What happened in the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church and what is coming?” (Added 5-4-2024)
“What Happened at the United Methodist General Conference?” by Chris Ritter via Team Caffeine (PDF). A summary of legislative actions by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting in Charlotte. (Added 5-4-2024)
“GCAH announces new center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage” via Resource UMC. “Agency set to begin preserving Queer Methodist history” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Duces, Charlotte!” by Amy Lippoldt via Substack. “The JC has a few more rulings to issue, including one decision requested by GP’s own David Livingston challenging the constitutionality of an amendment made by GPs Mark Holland allowing Jurisdictions to adapt the BOD. I have my money on David on this one, though I applaud Mark’s effort to make a safety net if the last step for regionalization fails.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Disaffiliation Resolution” via Holston Conference (UMC). “The Holston Conference Board of Trustees is honoring its commitment to seek a pathway to provide a fair and graceful means of disassociation for local churches within the parameters of what is permitted in the United Methodist Book of Discipline.” (Added 5-4-2024)
Overheard: The new Judicial Council Decision 1503 states that a local church Board of Trustees may approve policies “prohibiting the conduct of worship services that include same-sex marriage ceremonies.” The decision, however, is vague on the question of whether pastors are required to honor such policies. (Added 5-4-2024)
“‘A step back in time’: America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways” by Tim Sullivan via The Independent. “Across the U.S., the Catholic Church is undergoing an immense shift. Generations of Catholics who embraced the modernizing tide sparked in the 1960s by Vatican II are increasingly giving way to religious conservatives who believe the church has been twisted by change, with the promise of salvation replaced by casual indifference to doctrine.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Commentary: The Word is Love” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. Greg Neal, my former pastor who’d been run out of the North Texas Conference because he dared marry his husband, Kade, drew me into a giant bear hug. We wept almost uncontrollably on one another’s shoulders, scarcely daring to believe that the words “self-avowed practicing homosexual” were no longer a bar to ordination. (Added 5-4-2024)
“With a final flourish, United Methodist conference eliminates all anti-LGBTQ policies” by Yonat Shimron via RNS. “They also eliminated provisions that would have charged clergy with immorality if they were not “faithful in a heterosexual marriage” or “celibate in singleness.” Instead, delegates supported adding a requirement of integrity in all personal relationships.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Who Really Speaks for African United Methodists – ‘R’hetoric” by Stan Copeland via UM Insight. “I first question whether these men truly speak “for the majority of African delegates,” and I doubt that they speak for the majority of United Methodists even in their five annual conferences, especially when their sisters and brothers back home come to know the truth about what has actually happened at the General Conference for the greater good for all.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“African delegates denounce UMC votes to allow LGBT marriage, ordination: ‘We are devastated’” by Michael Gryboski via The Christian Post. “The United Methodist Church has changed the definition of marriage. It now defines marriage differently from what God created it to be in the beginning. It has changed the definition of marriage from how Jesus described it in Matthew 19 as one man and one woman.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“African United Methodist Church disowns General Conference decision to recognise homosexuality” via The Zimbabwe Mail. “However, the Zimbabwean delegation, which was in the minority, said Western culture was eroding traditional church values and posed a risk to younger generations.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“The feared split in the UMC did not occur. Instead, the delegates experienced a new willingness to unite in diversity.” by Klaus Ulrich Ruof via UMC in Germany. “The best General Conference ever.” (Added 5-4-2024)
Post via GMC Philippines. “To Our Remaining Traditionalist Friends in the UMC…” (Added 5-4-2024)
“General Conference Legislative Recap” via Resource UMC. A five-page PDF-style document summarizing legislation passed at General Conference. (Added 5-4-2024)
Tweet by Ryan Burge: [chart showing 60% of UM’s voted republican in 2020] “I’ve only been watching clips here and there from the United Methodist meeting.I do watch the SBC’s annual a bit, as well. I’m always struck by how the people at those gatherings don’t reflect the laity that much…” (Added 5-4-2024)
Overheard: Bishop John Wesley Yohanna of Nigeria joined in a protest against the UMC’s change in the definition of marriage. UMNS: “He said after the protest that he is nearing the end of his episcopal term and wants to stay long enough to help bring reconciliation among United Methodist factions in Nigeria. He said he was still weighing whether he would eventually join another denomination. Yohanna predicted that the new language on marriage will come at a cost to United Methodism. “I’m very sure this will affect the membership of the church in Africa,” he said. (Added 5-4-2024)
“Climate justice legislation fares well overall” by Sam Hodges and Neill Caldwell via UMNS. “General Conference delegates passed in bulk much of the legislation supported by United Methodist climate justice activists. An effort to require United Methodist institutions to divest of fossil fuel company stocks did not succeed.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“GC delegates pass budget, reduce US bishops” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “General Conference delegates passed a denominational budget that represents a 38% to 41% cut to the budget the 2016 General Conference passed. The ultimate bottom line is contingent on giving rates in 2025 and 2026.
Delegates also approved a plan for distributing 32 bishops across the U.S. — which represents a reduction from the 39 active bishops currently serving.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Is Separation Warranted? Wesley’s Catholic Spirit and the Question of Sexuality” by Matt O’Reilly via Theology Project. “I’m looking forward to participating in the Pro Ecclesia Conference coming up June 10-12 here in Birmingham.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“The United Methodist Church is Destroying My Career – One Pastor’s Story” by Jason E.B. Smith via Substack. “Despite its insistence on progress, the denomination is mired in the binary thinking of the past and leaving destruction in its wake.” (Added 5-4-2024)
Tweet via @UMC_CommonSense: “As powerful as this week at #UMCGC has been, #Sunday is going to hurt for many #UMC congregations. Some will never come back to your #church. Some will be angry. You will lose members and support. Prepare yourself. Pray. Know that doing the right thing is never easy.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Wesley Biblical Seminary Statement on the UMC General Conference” via Facebook. “We are grieved, if not surprised, by the UMC General Conference’s decision to officially abandon the unchanging standards of the Bible for human sexuality. The denomination has turned its back on the historic teaching of Jesus and the Church, which is for the created goodness of male-female marriage and against all harmful practices of sexual immorality, including homosexuality.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Oklahomans waiting decades for change celebrate United Methodist vote on same-sex marriage” by Carla Hinton via The Oklahoman. “The United Methodist Church removed anti-LGBTQ+ language from the denomination’s Social Principles guide on Thursday and affirmed same-sex marriage with historic votes applauded by Oklahomans who have been waiting for such change for decades.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Panelists look beyond General Conference” by Kathy Gilbert via UMNS. “After historic decisions reversing The United Methodist Church’s longtime restrictions against LGBTQ members, church leaders see a denomination where everyone can belong, but they also acknowledge the hard work ahead.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Ep. 353: United Methodist Church Approves LGBTQ Clergy, Wayne Grudem Retires, Metaxas and Feucht Hit Manhattan” via Ministry Watch Podcast. See also “With Conservatives Gone, United Methodists Vote to Overturn Restrictions on LGBTQ Clergy” by Yonat Shimron (RNS). (Added 5-4-2024)
“May 3 wrap-up: Historic conference comes to a close” by Joey Butler via UMNS. “It could be argued that this was the most consequential General Conference since the 1968 assembly that created The United Methodist Church.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Post by Stan Crosby via Facebook. “My church left me and the historic orthodoxy of John Wesley’s Methodism. They are the schismatics. They are the separatists, and I can no longer be a part of them and keep my vows before God. So today, I sadly begin the process of my official withdrawal from the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. To God be the glory. Fidelis ad Mortem.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“United Methodist Church delegates make changes in favor of more LGBTQ acceptance” via WCNC News. Interview at Two Rivers UMC in Rock Island, Illinois. (Added 5-3-2024)
“Bishops react to LGBTQ inclusion votes” by Sam Hodges via UMNS. “Some have celebrated the decisions. Others have stressed to their conferences the limits of the decisions, including that they don’t require clergy to officiate at same-sex weddings.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Conservative Methodists, Unite” by James Antle via Christianity Today. [PDF Here] “After this week’s UMC votes on LGBTQ issues, African Methodists should join American conservatives in the new Global Methodist denomination.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“The United Methodist Church could emerge stronger after its vote to repeal a ban on LGBTQ+ clergy | PennLive Editorial” via Pennsylvania Patriot News. “But something even better could emerge from this turmoil. The new UMC could become a stronger body of believers united in their determination to reach more people with their message of Christianity’s universal love.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Judicial Council Decision 1503: “Nothing in ¶ 2533 of the 2016 Book of Discipline prevents the Board of Trustees of a local church from adopting policies prohibiting the conduct of worship services that include same-sex marriage ceremonies.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Delegates keep church court busy at assembly’s end” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “In a General Conference that saw big changes regarding the church’s policies on LGBTQ people, the Judicial Council said church boards of trustees still could set policies prohibiting their church from hosting same-sex weddings.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Let’s Do More History” by Amy Lippoldt via Substack. “There was plenty of tension around the idea of allowing deacons to baptize and preside at communion. After a pretty short debate, the GC voted overwhelmingly in favor. The biggest argument I heard against it was a fear that young people who don’t want to itinerate (going where the bishop sends) will choose deacon over elder.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“United Methodist General Conference Reflections with Rob Renfroe and Tom Lambrecht” by Andy Miller III via More to the Story Podcast (YouTube). “Here is my conversation with Rob Renfroe and Tom Lambrecht where we reflect on the 2024 UMC General Conference.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “Okay, final petition clarified the readmission process for LGBTQ+ former clergy or clergy who officiated same-sex weddings and were exited. It passes 72%.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“African Voices are Not Monolithic” by Ande Emmanuel via Mainstream UMC. “Within the context of Worldwide Regionalization as adopted by the General Conference, Africa will hold its definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Therefore, it is a great distortion of fact to give the impression that the United Methodist Church is enforcing every region of the church to accept same sex marriages. In fact, it was an African who suggested the language on marriage we adopted.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Callously Breaking Covenant: Reflections on UMC General Conference” by Sarah Stewart via Juicy Ecumenism. “It has been heartbreaking to be a United Methodist this week. Among the reasons for traditional Methodists to be angry at what has taken place at General Conference is the overturning of doctrine central to Methodist social witness.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“The General Conference of the United Methodist Church – Mark Tooley, 5/2/24” via Issues Etc. Podcast. Interview about General Conference. (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “Friends. Followers. The progressive and centrist coalition has achieved 100% of their Three R’s Goals: ☑️ Remove Harmful anti-LGBTQ+ language. ☑️ Regionalize our worldwide church ☑️ Revise the Social Principles. Congratulations to the groundwork of a new and vital #UMC.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: [image] “United Methodism deletes clergy adultery as specific chargeable offense by 69% to 31%. #UMCGC” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by UMNS. “General Conference has approved a resolution asking that United Methodist institutions not buy government bonds from Israel and two other nations that have engaged in long-term military occupations. https://buff.ly/4blvAjY #UMCGC” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “BREAKING: The UMC General Conference lifted a 28-year-old prohibition on United Methodist clergy and churches blessing same-sex unions, the last major decision by the assembly to remove longstanding anti-LGBTQ+ restrictions. #UMC #UMCGC” (Added 5-3-2024)
“United Methodists Vote to Drop Gay Clergy Ban by Wide Margin: With exodus of conservatives from UMC, liberal agenda advances” via Decision Magazine. “Observers of a decades-long liberal drift in the UMC said they were not surprised by the overwhelming vote. Since 2019, there has been an exodus of nearly 8,000 congregations, most of which were theologically conservative and at odds with the denomination’s changing views on human sexuality.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Update #4 from the WCA from the General Conference – UMC General Conference: The African Message” via WCA. “Today (Friday, May 3) the UMC General Conference concludes. The dramatic shift signaled by decisions made here will take time to unpack. We’ll start some unpacking ourselves in next Tuesday’s WCA Outlook and in the upcoming WCA ALL CALL Zoom on May 23. United Methodist News Service has a series of daily summaries for the past two weeks for those who are interested.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Reconciling Ministries Network. “Petition 20364 has passed! This strikes performing a same-sex wedding and being a “self-avowed and practicing homosexual” from the list of chargeable offenses. It goes into effect at the end of the conference this evening.” [image] (Added 5-3-2024)
“A New UMC Has Begun” via UM Insight. “Grace upon grace, the like of which hasn’t been seen at a United Methodist General Conference since 1968, fell upon the Charlotte Convention Center as delegates created a new United Methodist Church during their April 23-May 3 assembly.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: Expressing frustration through sarcasm that the Western Jurisdiction will receive two existing bishops from other jurisdictions instead of being able to elect their own. (Added 5-3-2024)
Message by Bishop Frank Beard via Facebook (video). Appeal not to make any drastic decisions in light of General Conference actions. “The mission has not changed.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“United Methodists end anti-LGBTQ policies” by Michelle Boorstein via Washington Post. “The United Methodist Church, one of the largest organized Christian groups in America, ended a slew of anti-LGBT policies this week, including a ban on gay clergy and on penalties for clergy who conduct same-sex marriages.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“UMC removes rule that homosexuality is ‘incompatible with Christian teaching’” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “South Carolina Conference Bishop L. Jonathan Holston said that the vote will have a mixed reaction from the denomination, which has already experienced schism over the LGBT debate.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Marriage Decision Sparks Protest, Celebration” by Sam Hodges and Jim Patterson via UMNS. (Added 5-3-2024)
Overheard: Jeffrey Rickman’s livestream commentary videos have been removed from YouTube due to complaints filed. Through an attorney, the UMC has requested he not provide this live commentary. He will stream today on Facebook and Twitter. Here: “However, I woke up to see that the denomination has filed copyright claims against my content for the last week. I have written someone named Amy at Everhart Law Firm, who I guess the denomination used to file the claim.” See also: “Final Day of General Conference Proceedings“
(Added 5-2-2024)
“Day 10: Human Sexuality Still Front & Center” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “Regionalization hinges on agreeing not to agree. If this is the true ethos of the church, then regionalization has a real chance of being ratified. If this is not who we are, we are likely headed for a major divorce, like we recently witnessed in the United States. Those who call themselves “traditional” in the US needed to create distance to demonstrate their position. Africa may not feel the same.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“General Conference 2024: Removal of Paragraph 304.3 from the Book of Discipline” by Bishop Ken Carter via Western NC Conference (YouTube). “It is important to note that this action does not compel any clergyperson or church to act against their conscience or understanding of their calling. United Methodist churches and clergy – progressive, moderate, and traditional – will have the freedom to respond to God’s call to ministry in the ways that are best for their contextual and missional communities.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Summary of UMCGC Plenary for May 2, 2024” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). (Added 5-3-2024)
Post via Good News Magazine (Facebook). Photo and text of African delegate statement on May 2, 2024). (Added 5-3-2024)
“Agenda for Friday, May 3” via DCA (PDF). Agenda for the final day of GC. (Added 5-3-2024)
“General Conference Daily Wrap-Up: May 2, 2024” via UM Videos (YouTube). A daily wrap-up video produced by the UMC. (Added 5-3-2024)
“Late Morning Plenary: May 2 – General Conference 2020” via UM Videos (YouTube). See also Early Morning Plenary, Early Afternoon Plenary, and Late Afternoon Plenary. (Added 5-3-2024)
Post by Forbes Matonga via Facebook. Key Zimbabwe delegate: “THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE UMC ENDS TODAY. ITS DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE HAS BEEN CHANGED. THE WORLD AWAIT TO SEE AFRICAN UNITED METHODISTS’ NEXT MOVE! I REMIND THEM OF JOSHUA 24;15, ” …..BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD I WILL WORSHIP YAWEH”. (Added 5-3-2024)
“Local bishop says United Methodist vote to lift ban on LGBTQ clergy will help church heal” by Samantha Wildow via Dayton Daily News. “Many of the departing churches are joining the conservative Global Methodist Church, created last year. Other congregations have chosen to remain independent or join different denominations. Global Methodist Church doctrine states that human sexuality “is a gift of God” and should be exercised as “a loving and monogamous marriage between one man and one woman.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Global Methodist Church reacts to UMC votes to allow LGBT clergy, same-sex weddings” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. Launched in 2022 as a conservative alternative to the UMC at a time when many churches were planning to leave the mainline Protestant denomination, the GMC issued a statement Wednesday stating that it “do[es] not have any affiliation with their decisions, nor do we wish to comment or provide commentary on the actions of other religious organizations.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Post by Andy Miller III via Facebook. Advertises a Facebook Live “Post General Conference Reflections” interview with Tom Lambrecht and Rob Renfroe on Friday, May 3 at 1:30 pm CT. (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet via Shane Raynor: “Sad to see what laughingstock #UMCGC has turned into. They’ve rejected a traditional definition of marriage, endorsed gay & lesbian clergy, & declared that homosexuality is no longer incompatible with Christian teaching. Plus some anti-Semitism to boot.” [compilation video] (Added 5-2-2024)
Video by Tim Beardsley via Facebook. Video of Jerry Kulah reading a statement by African delegates. (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodist Church officially affirms gay marriage… what should we do?” via Redeemed Zoomer (YouTube). “The Traditionalists totally could have won.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Professor Calls Reconciling Ministries Network UMC’s Most Valuable Player” by Rebekah Miles via UM Insight. “Soon after I officiated at the wedding of our eldest, Anna, and our daughter-in-law, Abby in May 2022, I began what turned out to be a brutal just resolution and judicial process. When I realized that the process was not going well and was advised to get legal help, I called RMN. When my bishop kept changing the terms of the agreement, and, then, insisted he would sign our agreement only if I gave up my vote at Jurisdictional Conference, I texted my friends at RMN.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Get out of silos and break down walls, bishop says” by Gladys Mangiduyos via UMNS. “Quoting Luke 4:18-19, Estrella noted that the missionary movement continues in United Methodist churches around the world, amid controversies, conflicts, schisms and disaffiliations.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodist Church Drops LGBTQ Clergy Ban” by James Lasher via Charisma News. “This was not the only measure passed that was accepting of non-biblical sexuality at the conference. On Tuesday, the delegates removed the ability of regional superintendents to punish officiation or hosting of same-sex weddings. Clergy cannot be punished for refusing to to perform or host such events either, but let’s just see how long that remains in the denomination.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodists Vote to Allow Gay Clergy as Thousands of Congregations Leave Church” by Zach Kessel via National Review. “While the United Methodist Church had been the third-largest Christian denomination in the U.S., the consistent decline in its membership may accelerate after Wednesday’s votes.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodists, winnowed by conservative exodus, embrace LGBTQ inclusivity” via Washington Times. “In a statement, the African leaders said, ‘We do not accept a change in the definition of marriage, and we will never accept marriage as anything other than one man and one woman. … We are devastated now to be part of a denomination that officially contradicts the Bible’s teaching on marriage and sexual morality.'” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Korean United Methodists commit to support missionaries” by Thomas Kim via UMNS. “We don’t know what difficulties will come to Korean churches after this General Conference,” said the Rev. Chongho James Kim, pastor of Flushing First United Methodist Church in New York. (Added 5-2-2024)
“New Sprout. New Life.” by Erik Alsgaard via UM Insight. “Bishop Karen Oliveto, episcopal leader of the Mountain Sky Conference, preached during a morning worship service, becoming the first openly gay bishop to preach at a worship service during General Conference. New sprout. New life.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “WOW — today’s business ends which means tomorrow is going to be WILD. In addition to all the budget-related decisions, there are 25 outstanding calendar items, 16 of which require action. That includes those two LGBTQ+ inclusion-related petitions. #UMC #UMCGC” (Added 5-2-2024)
Statement by African Delegations via Twitter. A statement from a majority of African delegates states they will not accept the new definition of marriage. “We return to African with important decisions to make.” See on Facebook here. (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by UMNS. “Odell Horne, @ConnectNGUMC, requests a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council to determine constitutionality of Paragraph 543.7 as amended by Petition #21040. Chair calls for adoption of motion (1/5 required to affirm). Vote result: 238 (39.73%) YES | 361 NO – motion passes #UMCGC” (Added 5-2-2024)
Letter by Bishop Graves Regarding the Removal of Restrictive Language via Alabama-West Florida Conference (UMC). I am aware that a monumental decision such as today’s will bring much discussion. Because of this we moved previously scheduled meetings over the course of May to a Zoom on May 7th. More information may be found here. Please make plans to attend where we can discuss this and other General Conference matters in further detail. (Added 5-2-2024)
“Thursday, May 2 UMC General Conference Afternoon Plenary (Commentary)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). live watch of GC2020 of the UMC with traditionalist commentary. (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet Thread by Liam Adams: “Following major legislative defeats this week, I sat down with leaders of traditionalist groups — Rob Renfroe, Tom Lambrecht and Scott Field — for breakfast to ask about their view on the shift in #UMC politics that we’re seeing. #UMCGC” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by UMNS: Nimia Peralta, Northwest Philippines Conference, says that the Bible cannot be regionalized. (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet via UMNS: [Video] Jerry Kulah’s floor speech against an amendment that would provide two alternative definitions of marriage. (Added 5-2-2024)
Overheard: The Revised Social Principles have been adopted by GC2020(UMC) removing the language that that practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. (Added 5-2-2024)
“WCA Outlook General Conference Update # 3: MainstreamUMC signals imminent shutdown.” by Scott Field via WCA. “It is widely reported that the UMC General Conference is removing all restrictions related to homosexuality, approving a broad LGBTQIA+ agenda, and moving far beyond the provisions in the original One Church Plan that attempted to make room for progressives and traditionalists coexisting in one denomination. The legislation being approved during the current General Conference makes it abundantly clear that, as Bishop Bickerton said in his opening address, traditionalists that can’t get with the NewUMC agenda should leave.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodist Church delegates vote to end anti-LGBTQ policies after decades” by Jeff Chamer via Charlotte Observer. (Added 5-2-2024)
“Day 9: Mainstream UMC Agenda (almost) Complete” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “It is difficult to describe the spirit here. It is a remarkable mix of joy, exhaustion, and disbelief. “Can you believe it?” has been uttered during every tearful hug. It reminds me of when the Berlin Wall fell when I was in college. There was not a big war, or a final attack, the whole premise of separation just collapsed on top of itself.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Well, that didn’t take long: The United Methodists quickly abandon Biblical Christianity” by Albert Mohler via World. “By a vote of 692 to 51, and without a word of formal debate, the United Methodist General Conference voted to overturn the church’s historic discipline and doctrine on homosexuality. Yesterday’s vote took place in Charlotte, N.C., but the impact will be felt worldwide.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“GCORR Equity Monitoring Report No. 9” via DCA: “This is one of the ideas in cognitive dissonance. The other is our desire is to maintain a vibrant and genuine relationship among regions worldwide. The 93% affirmation is clear and required votes from all across the worldwide conferences present. Yet, we do not know yet how the decision to remove the language will be received in some Central Conferences and Annual Conferences when delegates and bishops return home.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodists Strike Ban on LGBTQ Clergy” by Yonat Shimron via Christianity Today. A RNS repost by CT. (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodist Church votes to divest bonds of Israel and other occupier governments” via Kairos Response. In the first such divestment action by a major Christian denomination, the church has called on all its investment managers to avoid “the governmental debt of each such country until the time when each government ends their military occupation.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “The General Commission on Archives and History (@UMCHistory) just announced they are seeking to create a Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage to collect Queer Methodist history and stories. This is made possible thanks to the lifting of the funding ban. (Added 5-2-2024)
“Daily Briefing: Thursday, May 2, 2024” by Albert Mohler. Southern Baptist Leader: “A Denominational Surrender: United Methodist Church Reverses LGBTQ Doctrine and Policy” Women pastors are a slippery slope. (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet via UMNS. Liberian delegate: “A question has been raised from the floor regarding the purpose of using pronouns [and other identifiers] when people introduce themselves. Dawn Wiggins-Hare responds. #UMCGC” (Added 5-2-2024)
Overheard: Following a decision Tuesday to remove the so-called funding ban, the UMC General Commission on Archives and History will open a new center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist history and heritage. Source (Added 6-2-2024)
“UMC live updates: United Methodists face votes on social principles, same-sex unions” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “If the two key petitions before the delegates on Thursday succeed, it solidifies a shift from traditionalist-dominated legislative action at the UMC General Conference to a more influential progressive-and-centrist coalition.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“May 1 wrap-up: Gay clergy ban lifted, new retirement plan approved” by Joey Butler via UMNS. “Additional petitions were passed that overturned other longstanding rules prohibiting clergy from officiating same-sex weddings or churches from hosting them. Another vote ended the policy thousands of churches had used to leave the denomination, but created a pathway for churches wishing to return.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Delegates applaud language change, regionalization” by David Burke via Great Plains Conference. “It’s really exciting that we’ve got the pieces in place for a more inclusive church, and we can recognize the gifts of all of our clergy,” said Hodgkinson, associate conference lay leader. “I hope we can finish the work and get to an inclusive church.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet via @RedeemedZoomer: Project Reconquista Head: “Welp the United Methodists officially sealed their liberal fate. This only happened because the COWARDLY GLOBAL METHODIST CONSERVATIVES RAN AWAY!!! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodists overwhelmingly vote to repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy” via CBS News. “Past General Conferences of the United Methodist Church had steadily reinforced the ban and related penalties amid debate and protests, but many of the conservatives who had previously upheld the ban have left the denomination in recent years, and this General Conference has moved in a solidly progressive direction.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Daily Christian Advocate – May 2, 2024” via Resource UMC. Daily publication for delegates with legislation, etc. (Added 5-2-2024)
“LIVE: Thursday, May 2 UM General Conference Morning Plenary (Coverage & Commentary)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Live watch of General Conference with a traditionalist commentary. (Added 5-2-2024)
“Disaffiliation ends, regionalization moves forward” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “General Conference delegates voted to delete the church disaffiliation policy from the Book of Discipline. They required annual conferences to set a reaffiliation policy for churches that want to return. They also passed the last of the regionalization petitions.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by Sojourners: “BREAKING NEWS: The United Methodist Church has adopted new language to its social principles, affirming the “right to legal abortion” and denouncing state bans.” [Article] (Added 5-2-2024)
“Removal of LGBTQ ban comes too late for some” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. “I’m deeply troubled, because the church has deviated from the faith,” said the Rev. Jerry Kulah, a Liberia Conference delegate and coordinator of the traditionalist Africa Initiative, in an interview away from the courtyard celebration. “I’m going to deeply reflect and determine how long I can bear with this.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by Taylor Burton Edwards. “I do not deny this puts many US UMC pastors in difficult places. But how should #UMCGC represent UM congregations vs. UM people given the distribution discrepancy (90% of US UMs do not attend small churches!) #AskTheUMC” (Added 5-2-2024)
“North Texans react to United Methodist Church vote lifting ban on LGBTQ clergy” via Dallas Morning News. ““Several of the queer clergy were sitting together, and when we saw the [vote] got passed, most of us just burst out crying,” she said. “We’ve been waiting our entire careers for this to happen.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“Formula for calculating number of bishops eliminated” by Jessica Brodie via UMNS. “Established that if a jurisdiction wants more than five bishops, the jurisdiction, not the denomination, will pay for those additional bishop costs…” (Added 5-1-2024)
Post by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. Video update celebrating the removal of prohibitions on LGBTQIA+ clergy. (Added 5-1-2024)
“UMC drops decades-old ban on ordaining LGBT clergy without debate” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “Although efforts to change the rules at the General Conference have failed in past years, many theological liberal leaders within the UMC have ignored the rules and allowed individuals who were in same-sex relationships to be ordained or even promoted to bishop.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“Message from Bishop Wallace-Padgett: General Conference (Day 9)” via North Alabama Conference. “Pastors will have the right to choose what weddings to perform. Local church Boards of Trustees will have the right to determine which weddings to host. Persons are not prohibited from ordination due to being in a same-gender relationship. The Conference Board of Ordained Ministries and District Committees on Ministry will continue to have authority to recruit, examine, confirm the calling of and discern the qualifications of those to be credentialed into licensed and ordained ministry. The Bishop and Cabinet will continue to use careful and prayerful consultation in the appointment process, with the goal of clergy/church matches that result in effective ministry.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“United Methodist General Conference repeals bans on same-sex marriage, ordaining openly LGBTQ clergy” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “In previous General Conferences since 1972, African United Methodist churches had repeatedly joined U.S. conservatives to keep the bans on same-sex marriage and gay clergy ordinations, but liberal U.S. conferences have largely ignored those rules since the 2016 election of Bishop Karen Oliveto as the first openly lesbian bishop in the denomination.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Letter by Bishop David Wilson via Great Plains Conference. “These votes offer us a tremendous opportunity as the church to live up to our standards for social justice. I, for one, am excited about the possibilities for ministry that we can do together as we focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Post via Global Methodist Church (Facebook). Clarifying the GMC is not affiliated with the UMC and committing to be in ministry in the name of Jesus Christ. (Added 5-1-2024)
Updated: “Not a One Church Plan” by Chris Ritter via Team Caffeine (People Need Jesus). The emerging legislation from General Conference is absent the protections offered to traditionalists under the most famous unity proposal. [Correction: One modest protection did pass today: “Add to ¶340.2(a)(3)(a) No clergy at any time may be required to provide for or compelled to perform, or prohibited from performing any marriage, union or blessing . All clergy have the right to exercise and preserve their conscience when requested to perform any marriage, union, or blessing.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“New clergy retirement plan approved” by Sam Hodges via UMNS. “Leaders of Wespath, the denomination’s pension and benefits agency, said a change was necessary due to financial challenges facing a denomination that has steadily shrunk for decades.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Update: “Critique of Week One of the Postponed 2020 General Conference of the UMC” via PDF. Updated and expanded from an earlier version: An anonymous critique of the actions of the legislative committees at General Conference, from a traditionalist perspective. (Added 5-1-2024)
“United Methodist conference begins to drop contentious rules restricting LGBTQ clergy” via Yonat Shimron via RNS. “Among the items that fell away Tuesday were a ban on bishops ordaining LGBTQ candidates for ministry, and a series of mandatory minimum penalties for clergy who officiate same-sex weddings. Both items were adopted by the General Conference in 2019 under the so-called Traditional Plan that solidified restrictive policies on homosexuality. Another ban, on funding for LGBTQ affinity groups or ministries, is much older. It too was eliminated.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“United Methodist Church Reverses Ban on Gay Clergy” via New York Times. (Added 5-1-2024)
“A Pastor’s Letter to a Church Member Who is Tempted by Abortion” by Paul Stallsworth via Human Life Review. “Rev. Stallsworth is an elder in the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. Retired from pastoral ministry, he leads the Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality and edits its newsletter Lifewatch (which concerns Christ and His Church, life and abortion, and marriage and sexuality).” (Added 5-1-2024)
“Why United Methodists’ historic vote means so much to gay Christians like me” Commentary by Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons via MSNBC. “This monumental embrace of the dignity of LGBTQ people will be the most impactful move by any Christian denomination to change its policies in recent years. The United Methodist Church is the largest mainline Protestant denomination in the country, with 5,424,043 members and 29,746 active churches as of 2022.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“Money Talks” by Amy Lippoldt via SubStack. “I’ve been collecting General-Conference-isms, things I’ve overheard that could only be said here and in some way encapsulate the weirdness of this meeting.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “Celebration of the removal of harmful language from our book of polity in The United Methodist Church. Hymns, Prayers, Testimonies in small groups, benediction. “We have more work to do. Legislation doesn’t equal change in behavior.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Tweet by Bishop Karen Oliveto: “We who were nurtured in United Methodism’s theology of God’s generous grace can now bring our full selves as we respond to the Holy Spirit’s call into ordained ministry. May we be judged on the fruits of our ministry, not on our sexual orientation or gender identity. #UMCGC” (Added 5-1-2024)
“United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy” by Perter Smith via Associated Press. “Delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference — the first such legislative gathering in five years. That overwhelming margin contrasts sharply with the decades of controversy around the issue. Past General Conferences of the United Methodist Church had steadily reinforced the ban and related penalties amid debate and protests, but many of the conservatives who had previously upheld the ban have left the denomination in recent years, and this General Conference has moved in a solidly progressive direction.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “Right now in the convention hall, an emotional celebration for the LGBTQ+ inclusion-related petitions approved this morning. Delegates and observers tearing up as the group sings, drawing a growing crowd to watch and join in. #UMC #UMCGC” (Added 5-1-2024)
“40-year ban on gay clergy struck down” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “In an emotional morning, General Conference eliminated the ban on “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy. Following the vote at break, delegates and observers sang hymns in joy. General Conferences continues to quietly reverse some of The United Methodist Church’s longtime restrictions against LGBTQ members. More potential changes are to come.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“UPDATED: The Fifty-Year Fight over Scripture & Sexuality in the #UMC (1972-2022)” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus.net. Repost of a primer on the long fight over human sexuality that is currently flipping in the UMC. (Added 5-1-2024)
“Day 8: The Elephant in the Room” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “Today we ended the LGBTQ funding ban! Finally. It was on the consent calendar and passed without a peep… At General Conference 2016 in Portland, there was a petition encouraging the UMC to take steps to stop suicide among LGBTQ youth. These youth have a suicide rate as much as 5 times higher than other youth. The petition failed in committee because we could not fund the mythical “gay agenda.” That defeat rocked that conference. Honestly, if our church is not preventing teen suicide, what the hell are we here for?” (Added 5-1-2024)
“LIVE: Wednesday, May 1 UM General Conference Morning Plenary (Coverage & Commentary)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Traditionalist live watch of the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-1-2024)
“Methodists move to undo LGBTQ restrictions, embrace liberalized views on sexual practices” by Mark Kellner via Washington Times. “The financial, clerical, and marriage restrictions were enhanced at a special legislative meeting held in 2019. The vote on how funds are used relative to LGBTQ issues is a first step toward overturning those policies.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Overheard: The key legislation for LGBTQIA+ acceptance will come before the plenary in Consent Calendar A05. This piece of the Simple Plan omits the following long-contended language: ¶ 304.3. While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church. It also Amends the footnote 1 to ¶ 304.3 as follows:1.“Self-avowed practicing homosexual” is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual; or is living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union, or is a person who publicly states she or he is a practicing homosexual. See Judicial Council Decisions 702, 708, 722, 725, 764, 844, 984, 1020, 1341. This change goes into effect immediately at the close of General Conference 2020. (Added 5-1-2024)
“Agenda for May 1, 2024” via DCA, Resource UMC (PDF). (Added 5-1-2024)
“A new day arrives: Witnessing the work of the Holy Spirit at General Conference” by Woojae Im via Minnesota Conference. “The postponed 2020 General Conference in 2024 finally paves a way forward towards contextualized ministry, unity in diversity, removal of harmful language towards the LGBTQI community, and the revision of our Social Principles.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“UMC General Conference removes much of LGBTQ restrictions in consensus vote” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. Meredith said the removal of LGBTQ restrictions works in tandem with the approval of worldwide regionalization to become “a generous acceptance.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“UMC live updates: United Methodists face contentious LGBTQ+ rights, disaffiliation debates” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “The most high-profile of those proposals facing the UMC General Conference in Charlotte deal with LGBTQ+ rights and likely an expired policy allowing United Methodist churches to leave the denomination, also known as disaffiliation.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“May 1 Daily Christian Advocate (English)” via PDF. Daily publication for delegates of the UMC General Conference with legislation, reports, etc. (Added 5-1-2024)
Repost: Livestream Link for the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-1-2024)
Video by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. A Tuesday Vespers update from General Conference in Charlotte. (Added 5-1-2024)
See Also: January-April 2024, September-December 2023, June-August 2023, March-May 2023, Nov 2022-Feb 2023, Aug-Oct 2022, May-July 2022, Jan-April 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, or earlier.
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