United Methodist Church
What to do about ordination? A gay divinity school student ponders her future
By Yonat Shimron — April 23, 2019
DURHAM (RNS) — Dozens of LGBTQ United Methodist seminary students will graduate next month from the 13 schools affiliated with the denomination. Like Spencer Cullom, who is a lesbian, they face an uncertain future.
US Methodists plot ways to resist new LGBT rules
By Yonat Shimron — April 3, 2019
(RNS) — On Thursday (April 4), a group of 30 clergy, bishops and activists led by megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton will gather in Decatur, Ga., to strategize a future for those churches that cannot remain in a denomination that denies LGBT rights.
Evidence of improper voting raises questions about Methodist gay clergy vote
By Jack Jenkins — March 15, 2019
(RNS) — Church officials say they are concerned about the possibility that improper votes were cast.
The ’Splainer: What happened at the United Methodist General Conference?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 7, 2019
(RNS) — What does the Traditional Plan actually do, and what happens now? Let us ’Splain …
How denominations split: Lessons for Methodists from Baptist battles of the ’80s
By Nancy T. Ammerman — March 5, 2019
(RNS) — Now that the Methodists have reached the precipice, the very complicated organizational work of division has to get underway, and one thing is sure: Nothing will happen quickly.
Grieving, but not leaving, the United Methodist Church
By James C. Howell — March 1, 2019
(RNS) — A general conference isn’t the church, the way a restaurant chain’s board of directors meeting isn’t a family enjoying dinner.
Why a Southern Baptist is watching the United Methodists
By Alex Ward — March 1, 2019
(RNS) — Evangelical churches, the Southern Baptist Church included, should be mindful of the growing support among their younger members on questions of human sexuality.
‘In this to the end’: LGBT United Methodists express hurt, hope after vote
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 28, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — After a wrenching three days of deliberations and spending $3.7 million to organize a special conference of its global church, the UMC has only marginally more more clarity on its future than when the meeting began.
United Methodists pass Traditional Plan, keep ban on LGBTQ clergy, same-sex marriage
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 26, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — Delegates to a special session of the United Methodist Church decided Tuesday to strengthen the denomination’s ban on the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ people.
Bishop Will Willimon on why no plan can unite United Methodists
By Yonat Shimron — February 26, 2019
(RNS) — "There are people, left and right, who just say, ‘This is it. We’ve waited. We’ve watched. We’ve tried. And now we can’t stay,'" said the retired bishop. "To me, that’s the story, more than which plan passes."
United Methodist committee rejects One Church Plan, which would allow LGBT clergy
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 25, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — The plan recommended by the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops will 'almost certainly still come up' as a minority report during Tuesday's plenary session, according to one LGBTQ advocacy group.
United Methodists vote pensions, ‘Traditional Plan’ as top priorities
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 25, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — The so-called Traditional Plan ranked just below pensions in a vote ranking plans and petitions as high or low priority taken at the start of the special session of the United Methodist Church General Conference.
The ‘Splainer: What’s the United Methodist special session all about?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — You’ve probably heard that the United Methodist Church meeting this weekend in St. Louis has something to do with sexuality and a possible schism. Let us ’Splain …
United Methodists should acknowledge reality that they are no longer united
By Jacob Lupfer — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — The divide between liberals and conservatives has been baked into the UMC from its inception in 1968. It's time to let go.
What will happen at the special session? Here’s what United Methodists predict
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — We asked pastors, bishops, delegates, activists and other United Methodists in the United States to share what they expect — and hope — to happen at the denomination's upcoming special session on sexuality. Here’s what they suggest we keep an eye out for.
