Church in flux: In the US, Protestant denominations try new ideas as they face declines in members and money
PETER SMITH, of Associated Press, reports on how mainline Protestant churches are grappling with the changing religious landscape in the US…
After United Methodist Church approves same-sex marriage, unrest breaks out in Liberian church
Nairobi, Kenya RNS The United Methodist Church in Liberia has been roiled in recent days over its position on marriage for same-sex couples after the global denomination, based in the United States, voted to strike a 40-year-old condemnation of homosexuality from its governing document. Clergy and lay members of the 150,000-member Liberian church have been […]
United Methodist Church regrets Ivory Coast’s split from the union as lifting of LGBTQ ban roils Africa
Harare, Zimbabwe AP Leaders of the United Methodist Church expressed regret over last week’s decision by the branch in Ivory Coast to leave the union following the church’s decision to repeal a long-standing ban on LGBTQ+ clergy but pledged to accept it. The developments were the latest in a series of ripple effects in conservative Africa, […]
Essay: Why the UMC took a historic stand and condemned Hindu nationalism
NEAL CHRISTIE, executive director of the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America, says – in an article first published on Religion News Service – that the United Methodist Church will not stand by silently while people are persecuted because of their faith and their conscience…
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Charlotte, North Carolina, US AP United Methodist delegates on Friday repealed their church’s longstanding ban on the celebrations of same-sex marriages or unions by its clergy and in its churches.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 […]
United Methodists begin to reverse longstanding anti-LGBTQ policies
Charlotte, North Carolina, US AP United Methodist delegates began making historic changes in their policies on sexuality on Tuesday – voting without debate to reverse a series of anti-LGBTQ policies. The delegates voted to delete mandatory penalties for conducting same-sex marriages and to remove their denomination’s bans on considering LGBTQ candidates for ministry and on […]
United Methodists endorse change that could give regions more say on LGBTQ and other issues
United States AP United Methodist delegates have overwhelmingly endorsed a constitutional amendment seen by advocates as a way of defusing debates over the role of LGBTQ people in the church by giving rule-making autonomy to each region of the international church. Delegates voted 586-164 on Thursday for the “regionalisation” proposal on the third day of their 11-day General […]
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 […]
Hiking, disc golf, flower arranging: United Methodist Church initiative connects people around non-church interests
YONAT SHIMRON, of Religion News Service, reports that ‘Fresh Expressions’ is a denominational initiative intended to connect people who may not be interested in church but are interested in learning a new skill or making new friends…