In a historic move this week, the ruling body of The United Methodist Church voted to remove a 40-year ban on gay clergy and same-sex weddings. The UMC is one of the largest protestant organizations in the US. It’s also international. General Conference delegates represent 133 regions of the world. There are 10 languages being interpreted all at once. And American delegates have fewer votes than you might expect: 56 percent. The change, voted in Wednesday, passed by 93 percent of delegates worldwide.
While other denominations have embraced full inclusion in the United States, this week’s move by The UMC is important both because the decision is international, and because the denomination has such a large presence in American Christianity.
It’s also crucial for all those within the denomination who have worked for this, for those raised in The UMC who have left feeling excluded, and for those who long to be fully embraced by our Christian faith: you are a beloved child of God and most welcome here.
This is a radical departure from the last time General Conference met in 2019. Frankly, that had been a disaster. National headlines reported that the denomination would not affirm same-gender couples seeking marriage, nor would it affirm LGBTQ+ clergy. The decision, and the debate itself, were both incredibly wounding, as were the headlines.
But none of that told the whole story.
It certainly didn’t tell the story of what would happen next, especially here in the US. Instead:
In Michigan, LGBTQ+ clergy have been called, commissioned, ordained and sent to local churches. The statewide Board of Ordained Ministry released almost immediately a statement of nondiscrimination.
That same year, Central Traverse City, one of the denomination’s largest Michigan churches, affirmed its commitment to full inclusion and reconciliation. And today, couples who seek to marry in the church will not be discriminated against based on gender or sexual identity.
There have been churches that have left the denomination, but the vast majority exit because they neither support inclusion nor are willing to associate with churches and people who do. Those that remain are willing to be in community with people and churches that disagree. Central Church itself is a microcosm of this. Not all our members are in full agreement, but we remain one church. This kind of community challenges us to listen and invites transformation.
Now General Conference has affirmed fully our local mission and ministries. What does this mean for Central Church? It means we are now fully aligned with our denomination. We will continue to embody God’s love and hope in Traverse City – working among those without housing, assisting with immigration legal aid, and celebrating all of God’s beloved children.
We are the church – a United Methodist Church. Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open doors. Thanks be to God.
About the Authors: Pastors Linda Stephan and Joan VanDessel lead Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City. Pastor Joan was the first openly LGBTQ pastor ordained in the Michigan Conference in 2022. Pastor Linda was ordained in 2021.
I am a UMC member in another city. Sadly, I feel the UMC has lost its way with this radical departure from God’s word which says he created male and female to be partners in life. It puzzles me that UMC leadership feels this “new way” is ok with God. It is not His way and certainly not Jesus’ way. Scripture says in Leviticus that homosexuality is a sin. Some versions of the Bible say it’s a horrible sin or an abomination to God. As far as I know, God hasn’t changed His mind about this. Was the Holy Spirit involved in these decisions and what was His message? I think those who support these changes will have to face God on judgement day. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.