The issue of homosexuality has long been a hot-button topic for the United Methodist Church, already leading to some churches leaving the denomination. At an international conference in St. Louis this week, leaders from the church deliberated over maintaining bans on gay clergy and same-sex weddings.
While other Protestant churches, including Presbyterian (U.S.A.) and Episcopal, have made allowances for homosexual-friendly practices, United Methodist has firmly retained its ban, despite mounting division and talk of a potential church split.
The second-largest Protestant denomination in America is now teetering on the edge of [a] breakup after the Traditional Plan gained support from 56 percent of the over 800 attendees at the 3-day conference. The Traditional Plan opts for keeping bans on the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” as well more strictly enforcing LGBT bans across all participating churches.
By contrast, the United Methodists’ main alternative option — the One Church Plan — would allow regional bodies and individual churches to decide on their own stances regarding gay clergy and same-sex marriage. It would also eliminate wording from the church’s law that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The One Church Plan was rejected in a second preliminary vote on Monday, receiving support from only 47 [percent] of delegates. The alternative plan was reportedly voted for by the majority of the Council of Bishops in an effort to avoid further division.
While the preliminary voting did not yet put an end to the One Church Plan, it is indicative of where the final vote will land. The deciding vote will not be made until the closing session on Tuesday, February 26.
Delegates ruled on Monday that discontented churches will be allowed to leave the United Methodist Church and still keep their property.
Evidence of the extreme tension within the church over the LGBT issue is surfacing widely.