See my post #22.
Our denomination firmly opposes the ordination of homosexuals and is on record saying that “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
For the past 3 decades at our denomination gathering, the historic position of Christianity in these matters has been upheld.
What would you think if I said that all baptists accept homosexual pastors because Jimmy Carter’s church does, and it is baptist? Should all baptists then leave their baptist churches?
We are not a hierarchy. Each geographic region (I’m in the West Ohio) region is pretty much on its own. Every 4 years we gather as a denomination to revise/extend our rules.
Any trial that takes place is within that region, with the juries from that region. After due process, an offender can be kicked out.
We have done that nearly every other year for the past decade. In this case, the “transgender” word does not appear in our rules. That will be corrected at the next denominational meeting in 2008. In the meantime, liberal bishops can say, “we don’t have a rule against it.”
Finally, to answer your question:
I will leave the UMC when the Lord releases me. He will do that, I’m sure at some point when He’s prepared to remove their candlestick.