“United Methodist Church Votes to Lift Ban on LGBTQ Clergy”

During a national conference this LGBTQ  week, the church made a historic decision, voting 692-51 to overturn the ban on ordaining or appointing “self-avowed homosexuals” as clergy members. The decision, made without debate, was met with jubilant hymn singing among attendees in North Carolina, according to the church.

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In addition to lifting the ban, the conference also eased restrictions on gay marriage, passing a measure to protect clergy and churches from repercussions for either performing or declining to perform same-sex weddings.

Rev. David Meredith, speaking to United Methodist News, expressed that the approvals signify progress in dismantling the discrimination and harm faced by LGBTQ individuals within the United Methodist Church.

Over the years, conservative members and congregations have departed from the denomination due to disagreements over LGBTQ clergy and gay marriage, leading to significant changes in the church’s composition and paving the way for the recent policy changes to receive overwhelming support.

This reversal contrasts with the outcome of a national meeting five years ago, where restrictions on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy were strengthened. However, conservative factions felt that these policies were not being enforced, leading to widespread departures from the church.

Between 2019 and 2023, over 7,600 congregations in the US “disaffiliated” from the United Methodist Church, according to the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Despite these departures, the church maintains approximately 10 million members worldwide, with about half located in the US.

The General Conference, held every four years to review policies and budgets, faced disruption due to the pandemic, causing a delay in its schedule.