United Methodist Church Holds Pivotal Conference Amid LGBTQ Schism

The United Methodist Church is holding its first General Conference since a major split over LGBTQ rights in Charlotte, North Carolina, from April 23 to May 3, 2024. This much-anticipated gathering, typically held every four years but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the only entity that can speak for the entire denomination, where delegates set policy, pass budgets, and address church-wide matters.

The conference is expected to vote on whether to eliminate the denomination's bans on same-sex marriage and having "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" serving as clergy and bishops. This comes after more than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations left the church between 2019 and 2023 due to the denomination's stance on these issues.

Why this matters: The United Methodist Church, with over 6 million members in the U.S. alone, is addressing a significant moment as it confronts the aftermath of the largest denominational schism in U.S. history over LGBTQ rights. The conference's decisions will shape the future of the global church and its approach to inclusivity amid changing cultural landscapes.

Other key issues on the agenda include the rules for international churches to leave the denomination, a proposal to restructure the church into regional conferences, and a reduced budget due to the disaffiliations. The conference is attended by 862 voting delegates, with about a quarter of international delegates unable to attend due to visa and other issues.

Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the denomination's Council of Bishops, addressed the recent schism in the opening worship service, calling on delegates to focus on the revitalization of the church rather than continuing the controversy. "God's people are hurting on all sides of the theological divide," Bickerton said. "It's time to turn the page."

The conference is taking place against the backdrop of a significant decline in the denomination's membership, with 5.4 million members in the United States as of 2022 and 4.6 million in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The mental health of clergy has also been affected by the divisions, with high levels of stress, exhaustion, depression, and anxiety reported.

As the United Methodist Church grapples with the fallout of the schism and seeks to chart a new path forward, the decisions made at this General Conference will have <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2024/04/23/united-methodists-schism-lgbtq-samesex-marriage/d1

Key Takeaways

• United Methodist Church holds first General Conference since 2019 split over LGBTQ rights.
• Conference to vote on eliminating bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy/bishops.
• Largest denominational schism in U.S. history, with over 7,600 congregations leaving.
• Conference to address rules for international churches to leave, church restructuring, and budget cuts.
• Declining membership and mental health issues among clergy due to divisions in the church.