United Methodist Church lifts ban on LGTBQ Clergy, officiating same sex weddings
ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The United Methodist Church is dropping decades-long ban that impacts the LGBTQ community.
Same-sex couples will now be able to get married in the church and LGBTQ community will be able to serve as clergy or bishops.
“I am ecstatic. It’s a change that ever since I started heading towards ordained ministry, I’ve been hoping and praying and working towards,” Rev. James Kjorlaug, lead pastor at First United Methodist Church in Rogers, said.
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Kjorlaug says this ban has been in place since 1972.
He says he wished this happened decades ago but he’s thankful that it is finally happening now.
“We can really lean into that full sense of welcome,” Kjorlaug said.
The lift of this ban will allow the clergy to officiate same-sex weddings.
However, they still have the option to refuse to marry them.
Kjorlaug says he is thrilled to start officiating same-sex weddings but wants to hear the opinion of his congregation first to see how they will change their wedding policies.
“I know for myself and my associate pastor Brenda Wideman, we’re thrilled that on Saturday, when the General Conference is over, we could be officiating same-sex weddings. And both of us would love the opportunity to finally get to live into that part of our calling,” Kjorlaug said.
He says before the lift of the ban, he has to turn away same-sex couples.
“As somebody who has had to tell couples over the years, ‘I’m sorry I can’t officiate your wedding,’ I grieve for those couples who are never able to celebrate their relationship, their commitment to one another in the United Methodist Church in that time,” Kjorlaug said.
The lift of the ban also means bishops can now ordain those in the LGBTQ community as clergy or anointing them as bishops.
Kjorlauj says the ban forced a lot of these members away from the church.
There’s so much talent that was lost, so much care and compassion and so many people who embody the love of Jesus. And just by virtue of one aspect of their life, they were told that they shouldn’t be a part or that they weren’t fully welcome. you know, to see that shift is very welcome.”
Kjorlauj says all people are welcome at the First United Methodist Church.
The Central United Methodist Church in Rogers did not wish to comment on this situation at this time.
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