The United Methodist Church voted to lift the ban on clergy that are “self-avowed gays” on Wednesday.
Peter Smith, of the Associated Press, reports that the delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference – the first legislative meeting in five years. “This overwhelming margin contrasts sharply with the decades-long controversy around the issue. ”
Christina Grube reports the proposal has been approved by 93 percent of international delegates. The proposal will be implemented after the World Conference concludes on Friday.
The UMC had its first general assembly in five years. This was the first time in five years that the UMC held its general meeting.
This vote does not affirm or require that churches take into account LGBTQ clergy. However, it does allow churches to donate to LGBTQ charities.
Grube reports “Delegates passed a measure that prohibits district church leaders from penalizing clergy who refuse to perform same-sex marriages. The new law protects clergy that refuse to perform gay weddings.”
It’s not surprising to see gay Methodists celebrating this decision.
According to the AP, “It was a seemingly small vote that had a lot of power.” “It lifted 50 years’ worth of restrictions on the Holy Spirit’s call in people’s lives,” said Bishop Karen Oliveto. Oliveto is the UMC’s first openly homosexual bishop. She doesn’t appear to have felt the Holy Ghost calling her to repent.
The Methodists are divided over the wait for a decision on the homosexual clergy question. About a quarter have left UMC since 2019, choosing to adhere to worldly culture instead of biblical doctrine. As many as half of congregations in some parts of the Southeast have left UMC. An astounding 81% of churches left UMC in Northwest Texas.
Dr. Albert Mohler, in his podcast on Thursday, hailed UMC’s vote as a victory for the Rainbow Cult.
Remember what was written in the Book of Discipline (UMC) at the beginning of this week. “The practice of homophobia is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The Book of Discipline [UMC] said at the beginning of this week: “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian Teaching.”
Mohler also pointed out that conservative churches within the UMC are only conservative to a point.
Conservatives within the United Methodist Church are conservative. However, they will not refuse to join any church which allows this. This church is a rainbow flag church in North America almost immediately. Yesterday, it became so.
Leftist Methodists claim that the UMC is more “inclusive”, as demonstrated in this post on Facebook by a friend, who is also a leftist Methodist.
A church that’s worth its salt will welcome everyone. One that is faithful in God’s Word, however, will encourage sinners who are ready to change their ways to do so. They won’t put them in charge.
John, the apostle said:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
The lines have never been more clear. Churches must either stay true to God’s timeless truth or compromise with other churches. UMC has done the latter.
