United methodist church lifts ban on LGBTQ+ clergy in landmark decision

Today, the United Methodist Church voted decisively to lift its ban on LGBTQ+ clergy, with 692-51 delegates endorsing the move towards inclusivity.

The vote occurred at the church’s General Conference as reported by the Associated Press. The announcement of the vote led to applause filling the convention hall and moved some LGBTQ+ advocates to tears. Additionally, the delegates approved a measure that eliminates penalties for clergy who conduct same-sex marriages and also for those who choose not to.

According to ‘LGBTQ Nation’, an impending vote is expected to determine if the church will amend its Social Principles document, which currently states homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching” and defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

The Methodist Church has been gradually embracing LGBTQ+ inclusivity, highlighted by the departure of 261 Georgia congregations in November 2023, which left the church citing its insufficient anti-LGBTQ+ stance.

Image Credit: Canva

Back in 2019, the General Conference stated that churches could exit the denomination until the end of 2023 “for reasons of conscience concerning changes to the Book of Discipline regarding the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals as resolved and adopted by the 2019 General Conference, or the actions or inactions of its annual conference related to these issues.”

According to the United Methodist News Service, since the 2019 declaration, 7,286 congregations — more than one-fifth nationwide — have been approved to disaffiliate from the denomination. More than 5,000 of these separations occurred in 2023 alone.

Conservative members who have left formed the Global Methodist Church, which upholds that “human sexuality is a gift of God that is to be affirmed as it is exercised within the legal and spiritual covenant of a loving and monogamous marriage between one man and one woman.”

Read related myGwork articles here:

United Methodist Church Proposes Historic Split Over Gay Marriage And LGBT+ Clergy

Methodist Church Issues Guidance Discouraging Use Of Terms “Husband” And “Wife”

World's Oldest Methodist Church to Offer Same-Sex Marriage

Keep up to date with the latest myGnews

LGBTQ+ professionals, LGBTQ+ Graduates, LGBTQ+ professional network, LGBTQ+ professional events, LGBTQ+ networking events, LGBTQ+ Recruitment, LGBTQ+ Friendly organizations, LGBTQ+ Friendly companies, LGBTQ+ jobs