3/23/2023 0 Comments Catherine full body vita“One of the concerns that some folks expressed is that we don’t have leadership in the church that reflects the diversity of the church. “It is a big tent church,” Lawrence said. Jurisdictions elected the church's first Native American and Filipino American bishops, with other landmark votes within specific regions, according to United Methodist News Service. She cited their LGBTQ-affirming votes and their expansion of the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of bishops. Related video: United Methodists are breaking up in a slow-motion schismīut Jan Lawrence, executive director of Reconciling Ministries Network, which works toward inclusion of Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities, applauded the regional jurisdictions. The denomination still officially bans same-sex marriage and the ordination of any “self-avowed, practicing homosexual,” and only a legislative gathering called the General Conference can change that.īut this month's votes show growing momentum - at least in the American half of the global church - to defy these policies and seek to reverse them at the next legislative gathering in 2024. They also passed non-binding measures asking anyone to withdraw from leadership roles if they're planning to leave the denomination soon - a category that almost entirely includes conservatives moving toward the exits. jurisdictions - meeting separately in early November - approved similarly worded measures aspiring to a future of church where “LGBTQIA+ people will be protected, affirmed, and empowered.” Conservatives say the developments will only accelerate their exit from one of the nation’s largest Protestant denominations.Įach of the UMC's five U.S. regional meetings this month that included the election of its second openly gay bishop. The United Methodist Church moved toward becoming more progressive and LGBTQ-affirming during U.S.
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