Background Information on The United Methodist Issue
HISTORY
For almost a half-century, the United Methodist Church (UMC) has had restrictions in the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (referred herein as the Discipline) that addresses homosexual and other non-traditional relationships. These restrictions include:
A statement that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
The restriction to ordain self-avowed practicing homosexuals as clergy.
The restriction for clergy to preside at same sex weddings or unions.
A restriction for annual conferences and other general agencies to provide any funding for any activity or publication that promotes “the acceptance of homosexuality.”
Within the United Methodist Church, there has always been a mix of members/churches who have more conservative beliefs (now termed Traditionalists), others who had more liberal beliefs (Progressives), and others which were mid-stream (Centralists). At every General Conference since the prohibitions were adopted, resolutions were proposed to change some or all of the restrictions. Those in favor of keeping the restrictions always had a majority to keep them in the Discipline. However, those who want to keep the restrictions in the Discipline grew concerned that they may not have the majority to do so in the near future. They worried that some of the more Traditional churches were considering leaving the United Methodist Church, such as those in the large African delegation. As time went on, the churches which were considering leaving the UMC also appeared to be desiring more autonomy or more independence from supervision.
In 2019, a mediation was held in which the UMC and those wishing to leave agreed upon a plan called “Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation” which was to be ratified at the next General Conference. However, that next General Conference was continued due to Covid and travel restrictions. (The General Conference is now set for 2024). Some churches decided to not wait and see if the restrictions (outlined in the first paragraph) would be changed or to wait until the mediation agreement was ratified, and immediately started working on disaffiliation from the UMC. The Wesleyan Covenant Group, which had been a Traditionalist group within the UMC, spearheaded a movement to disaffiliate, and also was instrumental in helping to found a new denomination called The Global Methodist Church. There has been much internet conversation about Traditionalists leaving the UMC, and there has been also declarations of staying with the UMC by some of the African delegation and by other big churches in the UMC. It is unclear at this time which views will be the majority come the General Conference in 2024. No one can accurately determine what will occur with the restriction language in the Discipline, but most think that there would be no mandates so that BUMC would decide what, if any, restrictions would be implemented in our church.
