United Methodists prepare for votes on lifting LGBTQ bans and other issues at General Conference
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their first legislative gathering in five years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.
After a day off on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church resumed their work Monday and will be meeting all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday
They’ve already begun making historic changes: On Thursday, delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the first time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to fit local situations.
That measure — subject to local ratification votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.
Related articles
China's NEVs powering up to lead global sustainability charge
People visit the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Shunyi District, Beijing, capit2024-04-30Free lunch scheme has made 'huge difference' for Wainuiomata school
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver2024-04-30Majority of young New Zealanders want to 'live in a smoke free nation'
Photo: 123rf2024-04-30'We can sue him': Chumbawamba on Winston Peters use of their song
Chumbawamba backstage during the BRIT Awards at the Britannia Music Club at the London Arena on 9 Fe2024-04-30British and Irish officials meet as tensions rise over what to do with asylum seekers
LONDON (AP) — British and Irish officials met Monday as tensions rise over the movement of asylum se2024-04-30Weather watches and warnings: What they mean and when they're triggered
MetService's weather watches and warnings on the morning of 10 April. Weather watches are denoted by2024-04-30
atest comment