United Methodist delegates repeal their church’s ban on its clergy celebrating same-sex marriages
Charlotte, North Carolina, US AP United Methodist delegates on Friday repealed their church’s longstanding ban on the celebrations of same-sex marriages or unions by its clergy and in its churches. The action marked the final major reversal of a collection of LGBTQ bans and disapprovals that have been embedded throughout the laws and social teachings […]
In the US, United Methodists vote to remove anti-gay language from their official teachings on societal issues
Charlotte, North Carolina, US AP United Methodist delegates on Thursday removed a 52-year-old declaration from their official social teachings that deemed “the practice of homosexuality…incompatible with Christian teaching” – part of a wider series of historic reversals of the denomination’s longstanding disapproval of LGBTQ activity. The historic vote came as delegates also approved a new […]
Explainer – United Methodists open first top-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusion
United States AP Thousands of United Methodists are gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina, for their big denominational meeting, known as General Conference. It’s a much-anticipated gathering. Typically it is held every four years, but church leaders delayed the 2020 gathering until now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev K Karen, left, of St Paul & St […]
United Methodists: As a landmark gathering approaches, African churches weigh their future.
PETER SMITH, of Associated Press, reports on how African Methodists are responding to the UMC’s dispute over sexuality and theology…
A new Billy Graham archive opens on the late evangelist’s birthday
United States RNS In the twilight of his 99 years, Rev Billy Graham met with Duke Divinity School historian Grant Wacker, who was writing a biography of the famous evangelist. Graham leaned over at one point and, according to Wacker, asked the him, “’Do you think the archives at Wheaton are well run?’” I said, ‘Yeah. They […]
In the US, United Methodist Church announces date, location for thrice-postponed General Conference
United States RNS Perhaps the third time will be the charm for United Methodists awaiting a vote to officially split the denomination. The United Methodist Church has announced the dates for the next meeting of its global decision-making body after postponing its 2020 General Conference meeting three times for pandemic-related reasons. The downtown skyline of […]
In US, North Carolina Pentecostal church ordered to close after coronavirus outbreak
RNS A Charlotte, North Carolina, church was declared an “imminent hazard” and ordered closed until 6th November after an outbreak of COVID-19 led to more than 121 cases and at least three deaths. The closure took effect Saturday. The abatement order from the state’s health director, Gibbie Harris, was issued for the United House of Prayer for […]
Private funeral and weeklong events planned for Billy Graham
RNS Photographed in Pittsburgh in 1968. PICTURE: Courtesy of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Billy Graham will be buried on 2nd March at the library he established in Charlotte, North Carolina, after a funeral service under a tent similar to the one where the evangelist held his first major revival nearly 70 years ago. The 99-year-old […]