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
Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil coach Dorival Júnior has replaced injured goalkeeper Ederson with Sao P2024-05-21Columbia University extends negotiations with student protesters
NEW YORK, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Columbia University, amidst an eighth day of tense demonstrations, sa2024-05-21- A psychologist has revealed the hidden ways that an abusive partner may be manipulating you into sta2024-05-21
Packers take Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with 25th overall pick in NFL draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers addressed a position of need and departed from their us2024-05-21Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
An 'arrogant' doctor who punched a vulnerable patient for making a racist comment and spitting at hi2024-05-21DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Nationalisation is no answer to rail chaos
With train reliability at a dire low, passengers forced to pay extortionate fares and often overcrow2024-05-21
atest comment