Methodists Move Toward LGBT Inclusion

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/candacechellew-hodge/4734/methodists_move_toward_lgbt_inclusion/


In my article last month about the historic vote by Presbyterians to endorse the ordination of gay and lesbian ministers, I issued a challenge to the
Methodist Church, the last mainstream denomination holding out on full acceptance of LGBT people. It seems there were already Methodists taking up the challenge to make their denomination more welcoming.

Just days after the Presbyterians moved to approve gay and lesbian clergy, the Washington Post reported that “the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church narrowly approved a groundbreaking same-sex marriage resolution.”

The resolution, passed at the church’s annual local conference, would amend the church’s Book of Discipline to allow pastors to perform same-sex marriages and ceremonies in member churches in jurisdictions where legislatures already have approved gay marriage laws, such as the District.

The measure was not expected to pass by its sponsor, Washington’s Foundry United Methodist. The pastor there, Rev. Dean Synder, said the resolution was presented “as an occasion to have a conversation. This is very exciting, very moving.”

The resolution must pass muster at the denomination’s General Conference next April in Tampa. Back in 2008, the General Conference rejected an attempt to remove a line from the Book of Discipline that calls homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

The move in Washington was followed closely by 70 Methodist ministers in Minnesota vowing to marry same-sex couples seeking the church’s blessing. At present, the denomination forbids its clergy to preside over same-sex weddings, even in states where it is legal, or for its buildings to be used for such ceremonies. Ministers in violation could be de-frocked.

[JackBeck]

1. Many Christians are moving toward full inclusion.

Coalition building is one of the many ways we will win our fight for equality.

[closeupready]

2. When were Southern Baptists not a "mainstream denomination"? Or Catholics?

Saying that Methodists are "the last mainstream denomination holding out on full acceptance" is nonsense, I'm sorry. MOST Christians and their denominations are still deeply homophobic.

[dsc]

3. they should have used the words mainline protestant

not mainstream. Mainline protestant has a very specific meaning (denominations belonging to the world council of churches which are protestant). In that sense, I think the OP would be correct about Methodists being the last hold out.

[closeupready]

4. Oh, I see, thanks.

nt