Posted on 11/02/2023 8:15:32 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Nearly 100 congregations in Ohio have left the United Methodist Church amid the denomination's ongoing debate over homosexuality, joining thousands of other churches in the United States that have done the same.
At a special session of the UMC West Ohio Conference held last weekend, 96 churches were granted their request to disaffiliate from the mainline Protestant denomination.
The session was held at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, with around 800 clergy and laity in attendance. Bishop Gregory V. Palmer presided over the gathering.
In addition to the 96 disaffiliations, the session also dealt with budgetary issues, recommending the sale of two camping properties and electing additional delegates to the UMC General Conference.
"We were empowered to make some challenging decisions," said Palmer in a statement. "We brought glory to God by the patient, honest, and respectful way we engaged one another. In spite of the challenges, we have come through, our future is open because God is able."
In June, the West Ohio Conference voted to allow 172 congregations to disaffiliate from the UMC, having allowed 80 churches to leave the denomination last year. It is estimated that, at present, the regional body covering over 50 counties has a little over 600 member congregations remaining.
"Our calling is to serve this present age, even if there's a storm … in the midst of passing over. One of our storms is disaffiliation," Palmer said in a June statement.
"That's not a blame thing; it's just the way it is. It's in the book. We've given a lot of attention to it. Let me be clear. It is not our mission. We gave attention to it. We'll finish up what there is to be finished up."
Over the last couple of years, more than 6,600 congregations have voted to leave the UMC amid the debate over whether to change the denomination's rules to allow for the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of clergy in same-sex relationships.
Although efforts to change the UMC Book of Discipline to allow these things have failed, many progressive leaders within the denomination have refused to follow or enforce the rules, prompting large numbers of theologically conservative churches to leave.
A little under half of the 6,600-plus departures in recent years have gone on to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church, a conservative alternative to the UMC that was launched last year.
In September, the GMC announced that it has member congregations in all 50 states, with approximately 3,200 churches belonging to the nascent denomination.
“It’s hard to have a religion based on a book when you don’t believe the book.”
It’s hard to have church rules if you have to cherry pick which rules to enforce. I know people who are clergy and took part in a same-sex marriage and were not punished. I also know people who were punished. I guess it depends on whether you have a large congregation or a college ministry. College ministries aren’t money makers.
I found it really odd that our pastor will not do weddings when he can just say it is not allowed.
Organized religion anything but Godly.
Worship God, pray to Jesus, read His book. No need for organized religion.
One UMC near me is in competition with the Church of Christ to see who can get the most queers, based on their signs and fag flag type outdoor displays.
Dontcha just love wishy-washy, say-nothing "statements" like that?
It would be so much clearer if he just said, "The people who are nauseated by the thought of men sticking their genitals into each other's rectums, and who refuse to allow that to be 'sanctified' as a Holy Sacrament, are leaving us. They claim that it's an 'abomination before the Lord.' Wonder where they came up with that expression?"
Regards,
Very astute observation!
Regards,
“Marriage between one man and one woman is the foundation of Western Civilization.” - Dennis Prager. - From his seminal article: “Why Judaism (And Then Christianity) Rejected Homosexuality.” Worth a read.
United Methodist Fag Church
If it says “United” (to fags) RUN!
Not the case with the UMC church I go to in Texas, but sure...
As a result of so many churches leaving and paying the fees the core church has amassed a great deal of money as I understand it. Money which can not be spent lavishly on the old-church's homosexual and pro-homosexual pastors and administration.
What a scam.
"Lancaster Seminary is open and affirming, supporting full inclusion and safety of all LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. We are a proud member of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ."
Eeewww. Sounds almost heretical.
I grew up in the church and have a long family history with the denomination. This is splitting my family, well one sister is still working for an “affirming” congregation - they call it Reconciling Ministry. My other sister and me had previously left.
Anyway, I share my thoughts here if you are interested.
https://harrisonshome.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-united-methodist-church-under.html
In response to comment # 31 posted on 11/2/2023, 6:23:08 PM by Rocco DiPippo ---
United Methodists Lose 1800 Churches in Split Over LGBT StanceOne observes of the "open and affirming" that it specifically attests to a revulsion at Romans 1, meaning that some in the UMC and many in the UCC reject the bible in part. Thus is their theology a matter of "shopping around."Why thousands of U.S. congregations are leaving the United Methodist Church
United Methodists lose one-fifth of U.S. churches in schism over LGBTQ rights
List of South Carolina churches leaving United Methodist Church
Why You Should Be Worried About the Split in the Methodist Church
22 Southern California churches plan to break off from United Methodist amid LGBTQ+ dispute
As Methodist Exits Hit 5800, Some Churches Find Paths Blocked
264 United Methodist churches leave Holston Conference
Wiki summarizes nicely, and notes the opposition as well.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_and_affirming
Kudos for your article and sharing of your thoughts, which I took time to read. "Under assault" is a fine phrase, as one contemplates from who and whither comes this assault.
Thank you. It was not a “fun” article to write.
Would someone who attends a pro-LGBTQWERT divinity school be against the LGBTQWERT agenda? Has anyone tried to stop UMC-related divinity schools from proclaiming their allegiance to homosexuality and the gay and tranny agendas? I wonder. . .
All the time in the world to shill for Youcrayne. No time to publicly oppose the ruination of her church. Why is that?
Now, let's take a vote: How many think this comment will be removed in 5-4-3-2-1-? Lolololol!
Nothing Christian about Sodomy and Sodomite worshippers. Very Satanic.
Not a big fan of UMC. When my Aunt passed, she left everything she had including her house to UMC. I asked for family pictures. They were boxed up and sent to a landfill.
I agree. The UMC has been in the news quite a bit lately over the LGBTQLMNOP+# support causing divisions within the church.
As I don’t currently know any Methodists, I too would be interested to hear a Methodist minister’s take on this schism.
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