How a schism can unite U.S. Methodists

[Devlyn]

How a schism can unite U.S. Methodists

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/methodist-church-anti-lgbtq-christian-schism-rcna131606

Robert Allan Hill   Dec. 31, 2023

Many of those leaving the denomination have apparently not read all of the Bible. Those of us who remain will chart a new, affirming path forward.

On Dec. 31, the United Methodist Church will officially complete its realignment, a period of several years during which congregations could vote to leave the denomination. Up to a quarter of American congregations have chosen this option. The percentage of churches and percentage of congregants is not the same — it may be a smaller percentage of actual members who split off — but this schism has changed the shape of Methodism. And yet, while the schism will bring challenges, it also has provided a way forward for the vast majority of members to affirm and love its LGBTQ members, as well as their many family members and other allies.

Like other Protestant denominations (for example the Episcopal, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches), the United Methodist Church has faced decades of conflict, largely over the full humanity of gay people. Also like other denominations, after years of national and other meetings, the denomination has at long last come to a conclusive point after deliberations by the General Conference (the church's governing body).

These divisions are by no means a surprise, and in fact have existed openly since at least 1970. Over the past 50 years, the question of how to treat LGBTQ Methodists has been debated, avoided, postponed — and dreaded — since before I entered the ministry in 1979.

[Gwendoline]

It took a long road and some seem not happy about the outcome and left aalhough it is nice 75% remained and going into a future with affirming and loving lhbti+!🤗

[Carolina]

Dear Interested People,

  I grew up Methodist in a small town in the middle of the country, a religion which I understood to be kind, loving and caring.  Then life took me away on it's magical mystery tour for several decades.  And one day I returned and found Methodism to be much the same - although I would occasionally hear about other Methodist Churches that seemed to have become "judgmental".

  So the particular church to which I returned hosted meetings of the Brazilian Catholic Church, a "gay" denomination in which I had some friends. And one of the members was a fairly young (retired? resigned?) former Methodist minister.  We talked, and he said that he had been 1 of 6 gay men that the Methodist Church had encouraged to attend seminary, but that following ordination they had been given widely separated churches to pastor.  His church was in mid-Missouri and he said that the hatred he experienced was devastating; that his congregation was not supportive (with many being openly hostile) and he would drive through nearby towns knowing that many Methodists there had said he should be castrated and suggested child molestation. It had all become too much for him so he (retired? resigned?).

  This was all around 30 years ago and it troubles me still.  What he experienced, and the current Methodist Schism, seem incomprehensible to my understanding of Methodism.  I sorrow.

  Carolina