United Methodists open door wider for LGBTQ+ members

Charles Christian anchors the evening news for News-Press NOW and also serves as an ordained minister at United Methodist Churches in Union Star and Helena, Missouri. Charles, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
·2 min read

May 5—In its General Conference in North Carolina this week, the United Methodist Church did away with language that would limit involvement of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The removal of exclusionary language in its official Book of Discipline opened the door for the possible ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and for the future possibility of licensed and ordained United Methodist clergy officiating at same-sex wedding ceremonies.

Local leaders like The Rev. Doug Walter, pastor of Ashland United Methodist Church in St. Joseph, said the changes will provide new ministry opportunities without forcing anything upon clergy or churches.

"In essence, it means that the power lies within the local congregation," Walter said. "The process of ordination begins with the local church and then proceeds to district and conference committees. This process will remain but will be more inclusive."

Walter said this accountability process does not guarantee anyone a "right" to ordination. So, the removal of restrictions based on sexual orientation will not alter the process of asking what he called the big question: "Is this person called by God to serve as clergy?"

The Rev. David Gilmore, district superintendent of the Northwest Missouri District of the Missouri Conference, said the decisions regarding inclusivity reflect the church catching up with what is going on in and around it.

"The church has not always been attentive to all of our sisters and brothers in the faith," Gilmore said. "I am happy with the outcome of the vote, hoping that we're able to begin the process of healing some decadeslong hurts."

Both Walter and Gilmore acknowledged that the subject of sexual orientation has been a key factor in the decision of many churches in the UMC to leave the denomination in the past five years. However, this year's vote removing exclusions saw an overwhelming majority voting in favor: 692 delegates voted to remove the exclusionary language, with only 51 delegates voting "no."

"I'm actually not surprised by the big number of positive votes," Gilmore said. "The decision to marry anyone has always been in the hands of the clergyperson. Decisions about ordination start with the local church. Language changes will not alter that. It simply includes all people in the process."

Ultimately, Walter said, the decisions regarding clergy and the implications about marriage are the UMC's way of saying, "Let's stop fighting and move forward in our mission to spread the Gospel of Christ."

For more details about all UMC General Conference decisions, go to https://www.resourceumc.org/en.

Charles Christian anchors the evening news for News-Press NOW and also serves as an ordained minister at United Methodist Churches in Union Star and Helena, Missouri. Charles can be reached at charles.christian@newspressnow.com. Follow him on twitter: @NPNowChristian.