United Methodist delegates have overwhelmingly endorsed a constitutional amendment seen by advocates as a way of defusing debates over the role of LGBTQ people in the church
by giving rule-making autonomy to each region of the international church. Delegates voted 586-164 on Thursday for the “regionalization” proposal on the third day of their 11-day General Conference, the legislative body of the United Methodist Church, meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. The plan would create multiple regional conferences — one for the United States and others covering areas ranging from the Philippines to Europe to Africa.
people and for same-sex marriage — to authorize such rites, even as international churches with more conservative positions on sexuality would not.
ordination. Advocates hailed the proposal as a way of decolonizing a church some say is too focused on U.S. issues, though one opponent, a Zimbabwean pastor, said the details of the plan are reminiscent of colonial-era divide-and-conquer strategies. issues weren't central to the debate on Thursday, but they are expected to arise in the coming days at the General Conference. Some proposals would lift the current bans on ordaining
people and on same-sex marriage. “I believe that the values upon which worldwide regionalization is rooted will give renewed strength, life and vitality to the church,” said the Rev. Jonathan Ulanday of the Philippines. He said it gives autonomy while maintaining connection to the worldwide denomination, which he noted has been helpful in areas ranging from disaster relief to aiding Filipinos working abroad. But the Rev.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
United Methodists endorse change that could give regions more say on LGBTQ and other issuesUnited Methodist delegates have overwhelmingly endorsed a constitutional amendment seen by advocates as a way of defusing debates over the role of LGBTQ people in the church. It seeks to do that by giving rule-making autonomy to each region of the international church.
Read more »
United Methodists to hold first worldwide conference since LGBTQ inclusion spurred schismThe United Methodists are holding the first General Conference, a meeting attended by church representatives from around the world, since thousands of congregations disaffiliated.
Read more »
United Methodists open first high-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusionThis will be the first General Conference since more than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations left the United Methodist Church between 2019 and 2023.
Read more »
United Methodists open first top-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusionThousands of United Methodists are gathering Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, to begin an 11-day denominational General Conference.
Read more »
United Methodists open first top-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusionThousands of United Methodists are gathering Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, to begin an 11-day denominational General Conference.
Read more »
United Methodists open first top-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusionThousands of United Methodists are gathering Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, to begin an 11-day denominational General Conference.
Read more »