“In February… the delegates voted to uphold the denomination’s stance labeling homosexuality “’ncompatible with Christian teaching’ …. Another measure passed at the special session was Petition 90066, which allowed for a more gracious dismissal for congregations opposed to the UMC’s official position.” - Christian Post
“In fact, this withholding is primarily expressed in Caucasian congregations whose perception is that their entitlement to control others with money is an expression of white privilege,” the California-Nevada Annual Conference said. - Christian Post
“The UMC Great Plains Annual Conference, which is centered on Kansas and Nebraska, passed a resolution on Saturday by a vote of 586-396 rejecting the Traditional Plan….
“Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, the largest UMC congregation in the United States, hosted a gathering of about 600 pro-LGBT United Methodists called ‘UMC Next’ this week.” - Christian Post
“Traditional Plan survives legal review, but could still set the UMC on path to division over gay marriage and clergy as Judicial Council also approves exit plan for dissenting churches.” - Christianity Today
The title says it all. This article is publicly and freely available at the United Methodist Church’s official website:
Amid growing concerns for the denomination’s future, the 2016 General Conference authorized the formation of a commission to deal with church teachings on homosexuality and find ways to help the church stay together. The Commission on a Way Forward submitted proposals that were considered by the delegates at the 2019 special called General Conference.
“The review was prompted by an inquiry from The New York Times, which reported that at least four ballots were cast by individuals who were not authorized to do so, pointing primarily to irregularities among a handful of delegates from Africa from the pool of more than 800 delegates at the conference.” - RNS
“Ritter wrote on his People Need Jesus blog: ‘First World temper tantrums about the sexual expression of financially kept clergy ran into the patient ferment of God-fearing servants [in Africa] who know what it means to suffer for Christ.’” - The Great Divide
“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. Whatever division happens will unfold at multiple levels over at least a decade.” - RNS
“The UMC’s increasingly global delegation outweighs US push to shift LGBT positions, leading some progressive congregations to leave.” - Christianity Today
