Third-Largest Christian Denomination Formally Allows LGBTQ+ Clergy
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Third-Largest Christian Denomination Formally Allows LGBTQ+ Clergy
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The United Methodist Church, third-largest Christian denomination in America, recently made an astonishing decision. Its delegates voted overwhelmingly (692-51) to repeal a ban that had been in place since 1984, which prohibited members of the LGBTQ community from serving as clergy.
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This decision is being celebrated by many within the denomination who do not hold to traditional views on the interpretation of Scripture and the definition of marriage. The decision not only lifts the ban but also prevents regional administrators from punishing clergy for either conducting or refusing to conduct same-sex weddings.
Furthermore, the delegates are considering a revision to the church’s “Social Principles” document. The proposed changes include redefining marriage from being between a man and a woman to a union between “two people of faith.” The delegates also suggest removing a line that considers homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
The impact of this decision is expected to be most significant in the U.S., as Methodist churches in other countries can set their own rules for congregations. The United Methodist Church, with 5.9 million members in the U.S. and over 4 million members internationally, has made a decision to turn its back on God’s Word.
The changes go into effect today.
What do you think of this decision? Share your thoughts, prayers, and scriptures below.
(Photo Credit: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
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I am so sorry to see this. How could they go so far away from God and allow this to happen? It is true deception. I pray for them to see the light in Yeshua’s Name.
Oh Father God, give your people eyes to see and ears to hear your words of truth. May we seek you with all our hearts and obey your teachings. These dear ones should be prayed for, not ordained.
I pray that UMC congregants will be convicted of the truth and find a way to worship in Spirit and in Truth!
Help, LORD. Bring Godly conviction on all who need it.
And, Make us all one in You, in Jesus name.
Oh Lord God. have mercy on these very deceived delegates who brought this ungodly ruling! My heart is grieved at this decision. I was raised in the Methodist Church and my grandfather was a spirit-filled Methodist minister and my father was Southeastern NC conference lay leader when he brought Oral Roberts to Lake Junaluska conference center! We pray, Father, that you would convict those in authority here and reveal your truth to them and that they would acknowledge your truth and their sin. Oh how we have fallen so far from your Word and your teachings, Lord! We come against this deception in the mighty name of Jesus! Send forth your warring angels, Lord, to defeat these lying spirits in the Methodist Church. We ask that all of these would be saved but that those who will not bow their knees to you and your truth will be held accountable for these atrocities. We know, God, that judgment begins in the house of the Lord. So we ask that your justice will be done in Jesus precious name. And please forgive us, Lord, for any part we have had in “being tolerant” of sin in the church. Amen
Hebrews 12: 25 Make sure that you do not reject the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. 26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven. 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are God Almighty, the Maker of Heaven, earth and everyone who has life and breath. Your Word is clear. It is indisputable but it appears Your Word has been rejected by the Methodist Church. I am appealing to You on their behalf Lord and I do so in reverence and awe. Your kingdom cannot be shaken but You will shake up all those things NOT of You. I pray this shaking will now begin with each delegate who voted to reject You as well as the deceived who are trying to sanctify sin. May each one become fully aware as Your consuming fire devours and removes. I ask this in Name of Jesus Christ. He said, “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” I am Lord. Amen
These people are not Christians. They are contradicting God himself who left us his Words in the scriptures. They have the choice of serving Satan or God. The choice they have made is to serve the Devil. They ignore the fact that after this life they will appear before the Judge of all and will be sent to hell instead of heaven. Why do people refuse to do what God has commanded? They want to be the God of their life. Unfortunately, they will reap the whirlwind.
Oh Lord, Holy and Majestic in every way, We exalt You above all others, God of our fathers. You’re the same, never changing. Before time began @ creation, through till now, Your Word is Perfect and Life giving.in every way. With Agape Love You’ve miraculously delivered it fully in Christ Jesus, Your Only Son, our Savior & Lord. The Holy Scriptures plainly teach of this immorality now plauging society. Holy Spirit we implore Thee come, bring conviction & godly sorrow, true repentance and restoration we plead in Jesus’ Name.
Your beloved servants George Whitefield, John & Charles Wesley, and others faithfully brought Your Truth in Love to our Colonies, You graciously allowed to flourish. May these erring modern Methodists repent now, and stop leading others astray, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Amen brother, amen!
These decisions by the United Methodist Church are breaking many hearts and I fear breaking God’s heart as well. As a lifelong Methodist, I have watched with sadness as have thousands of others while these decisions were formalized after having been brewing for years. There is much resentment within the church as many like mine have had to go through the agony of “disaffiliation,” tearing apart congregations, changing the lives of pastors and congregants alike, and paying significant amounts of money to become a separate entity which still holds tightly to its Biblical foundation while others seemed to have “hijacked” the name and Book of Discipline we have followed for so long.
I have yet to understand why those who do not believe the Word of God literally as espoused by the Methodist Book of Discipline were not the ones required to leave the denomination but instead, took the name, the document and, in fact, whole organizational infrastructure- from pastors and their benefits to physical church ownership to conference infrastructure and left the rest of us to choose another denominational affiliation. They have rejected the denomination’s very foundation and sent the rest of us packing. Why did they not leave our traditional, Bible-based denomination to start one of their own that amplified their beliefs rather than totally upending an existing one? It has been a nightmare for many pastors and congregations as they seek to choose another affiliation that represents what they believe is God’s direction for them. Many, like mine, have chosen to align with the “Global” Methodist Church which espouses the beliefs of the original Methodist Church and yet carries a name which seems more aligned with what I think are the negative implications of all things “global” today. In my mind, the “new and improved” United Methodist Church is more what I would consider “global.” These are the crazy and very sad times in which we live.
Many churches have faced physical hardships in raising the money required to “disaffiliate” from their lifelong denomination. The split is physically evident as those churches leaving the denomination quietly take the “United” off their church signage, social media pages and even stationery. Many of the ones that chose to stay with what I consider the rogue denomination now proudly display signs saying “ALL are Welcome” as if everyone is NOT welcome at churches which chose to leave. It is emotionally evident as congregants look around and see the vacancies left by members of the church which can, in their own conscience, no longer attend a church they consider “old-fashioned” and “narrow-minded.” It has caused splits within not only church congregations but families and friends as people search their conscience and pray for wisdom and discernment. These heavy, gut-wrenching decisions have not been made without much prayer and soul-searching.
Most of us hoped this time would never come and yet here it is, My prayer is that God will continue healing the divisions caused by this split- within families and within congregations so that we can get on with the important work God has for us to do in sharing His Word and loving others as He has loved us. May God be with us all and help us get beyond this moment.
Linda: Thank you for giving me a picture of the impact this matter had, has and will continue to have on many people. My heart was/is saddened by this “decision”.
In November I was alerted that the “heart “ of the Church was going to come under more attacks during 2024 – and here it is. More will come.
This, and many other matters, are way beyond our sphere of control, but not beyond the oversight of our Maker, The Creator of the Universe, The God of Miracles. This, along with concerns of this age, is a “But God” situation.
EL Kanna -You who are jealous for Your children, Yahweh Yireh- The LORD will provide— I come humbly and boldly in the name of Jesus The Christ, on behalf of Miss Linda and those who are affected by this decision – and in thanks that You have the answer to this mess. Wrap Your Holy Spirit around those who are hurting and confused over this matter, place Your Mighty Hand of Protection around them as they travel through this struggle. Let their eyes be on You; only You. Give them Your boldness, Your Words, Your Insight and Wisdom so that they may bring Your Light to others. I trust in You and have faith that Your promises are just that, promises. Stretch out Your Hand and heal families, hearts, friends and communities.
Thank You Father, LORD Jesus and Holy Spirit for Your Presence in our lives.
In Jesus Name. Amen
Thank you, DC, for that beautiful prayer. I hesitated to post anything in response to the article on the UMC announcement but felt led by the Spirit to share the sadness and deviseness I have seen in my church and the churches of friends. I will continue to pray for Him to convict those who are misinterpreting or manipulating His Word to any other end than glorifying Him, that their hearts will be changed and renewed. An article in today’s IFA prayers about intercessors praying for protestors at Wisconsin rally reminded me of the importance of praying and reaching out IN LOVE. With God’s help, I will put aside the animosity I feel and endeavor to do that. Thank you again for your response. Blessings to you.