UMC Comes to Jesus on LGBTQ+ Inclusion
According to Pew Research, there are 155 million Americans who identify as Protestant (84.7 million evangelical, 49 million mainline, 21.7 million historically Black Protestant), by far the largest religious group in the U.S., followed by atheists/agnostics/none/unsure with 78.3 million, then Roman Catholicism with 69 million, then Mormon with 5.3 million.
Just six percent of the U.S. population — 20 million people in total — follow all other religions combined.
Claiming over 5.4 million members across 29,746 churches, and weekly attendance over 3.1 million, the United Methodist Church is the largest mainline Protestant and second largest Protestant denomination in the country, second only to the Southern Baptist Convention — which boasts over 13.6 million members and 3.6 million in weekly attendance.
This year marks the UMC’s biannual General Conference, which began on April 23 in Charlotte, NC and concludes tomorrow, May 3. This year has seen a sea-change in LGBTQ+ acceptance, with several proposals to eliminate anti-LGBTQ+ language from the church’s Social Principles and Book of Discipline passing by such strong margins that, for those with fewer than 10 votes against, they qualify to be fast-tracked to ratification, included on the “consent calendar” for bulk approval with other strongly supported items.
This writer attended Christ Crossman UMC on Sunday, where a guest sermon was delivered by congregation member Samantha Perez, a Transgender woman who serves as the congregation’s delegate to the Conference. Perez spoke to the News-Press on Wednesday before this issue went to print to provide us with the most up-to-date information on this watershed moment for the church.
The ‘Three R’s’ of LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Perez says the legislative changes proposed in this year’s Conference regard the “Three R’s” of LGBTQ+ inclusion: Regionalization, Repeal, and Revision.
“Regionalization allows regions of the UMC to alter portions of the Book of Discipline to fit their context. This would allow the U.S. to use more explicitly affirming language,” than more conservative countries like those in Africa, Perez said, adding that “it would also solve a lot of logistical issues that have arisen as the church has become more global.”
Regionalization changes were largely passed on a 2/3 majority, now only needing to be ratified by local conferences later this year.
Repeal focuses on removing harmful language and policies from the Book of Discipline and Social Principles, including bans on LGBTQ+ clergy, same-sex marriage, restrictions for funding of LGBTQ+ related outreach, and more.
Revision includes a large overhaul of the UMC Social Principles, as well as a decentralization of the U.S. So far a number of changes have been approved, with many more likely to come in the final days of the Conference.
Church Disaffiliation Period: Over
The Conferences subcommittee bundled and rejected all disaffiliation petitions and voted, 20 for vs. two against, to repeal the portion of the Book of Discipline allowing the disaffiliation of local churches over more inclusive LGBTQ+ policies, ending a temporary five-year period that has seen the church lose nearly 8,000 congregations and two million members — roughly 25 percent of the greater UMC.
Famous ‘Incompatible’ Phrase: Removed
Revised Social Principles passed in committee with no amendments and 75 percent approval. This includes removing the phrase “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching,” which was adopted in 1972.
UMC LGBTQ+ Funding: Restored
The Financial Administration committee voted, 56 for vs. eight against, to remove the funding ban preventing church support for any organizations that “promote the acceptance of homosexuality,” which will allow UMC participation in efforts like curbing LGBTQ+ suicide, particularly among Trans youth.
UMC LGBTQ+ Clergy and Bishops: Yes
The Faith and Order committee voted, 43 for vs. nine against, to remove from the Book of Discipline its prohibition of LGBTQ+ clergy: “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.” Instead of becoming effective in January 2025, the committee made the proposed measure effective at the close of the Conference.
UMC Same-Sex Wedding Penalties: Gone
Also included in the LGBTQ+ clergy vote was language dictating that clergy and churches may no longer be disciplined for performing same-sex weddings:
“The superintendent shall not penalize any clergy for performing, or refraining from performing, a same-sex marriage service. 14. The superintendent shall neither require any local church to hold or prohibit a local church from holding a same-sex marriage service on property owned by a local church.”
These measures were all approved in a 692-51 plenary vote by delegates.
Expected late Wednesday was a floor debate on removing the UMC’s ban on same-sex weddings, required after passing through committee with only 55 percent approval. Still, Perez says “the overwhelming margins the other changes are passing with gives me plenty of hope that we’ll get good news.”
This is Huge. Take a Moment.
As a United Methodist, it’s heartwarming to see a unified UMC affirming LGBTQ+ dignity. Let’s hope that more and more see the beauty in welcoming and affirming their neighbors, and choose acceptance and unity over divisive, paranoid, outdated, self-righteous, hate-motivated tribalism.
