The Methodist Church & Homosexuality

[kyleforu]

According to my understanding the United Methodist organization has stated that they do NOT allow homosexuals to become ministers in their churches. But they allow homosexuals to become members of their churches and so participate in communion and receive baptism. I want to know if this new ruling is true? If it is how do you square this with the Bible that teaches homosexuality is a perversion and a sin?

 

[volzcpa]

Here is info from their site dated a few years ago. It seems that all the Prostestant churches are slowly giving in on this issue, as they did on contraception. Since thay have no authoritative leadership, all Protestant churches will eventually give in to modernistic philosophy.

archives.umc.org/umns/backgrounders.asp?mid=905&story=FA58780B-1C10-491A-938E-E242A5D47186

 

[Celeste88]

kyleforu:

According to my understanding the United Methodist organization has stated that they do NOT allow homosexuals to become ministers in their churches. But they allow homosexuals to become members of their churches and so participate in communion and receive baptism. I want to know if this new ruling is true? If it is how do you square this with the Bible that teaches homosexuality is a perversion and a sin?

Yes, that is true. I was a Methodist for 15 years. Please understand that the “communion” you mention does not have the Real Presence. It is just bread and grape juice. Anyone can partake of bread and grape juice. I don’t know about Baptism rules but I do know most Methodists get baptized as infants and would not be engaging in homosexual activity at the time! Most Methodist churches do operate an open door policy to people of all races, color and sexual persuasion. Doesn’t the Catholic church allow homosexuals to come to mass?

 

[Guar_Fan]

kyleforu:

According to my understanding the United Methodist organization has stated that they do NOT allow homosexuals to become ministers in their churches. But they allow homosexuals to become members of their churches and so participate in communion and receive baptism.

The UMC seems to still be deciding on their policy. I am going to quote from a gay news source, but it squares what I read in the mainstream media a couple months ago.

The denomination’s Judicial Council in October overturned a lower church court ruling and ordered the defrocking of a lesbian pastor who is in a committed relationship with another woman. (story)

The United Methodist Church accepts gay and lesbian ministers as long as they are celibate.

In a second LGBT case, the Judicial Council ordered the reinstatement of a rural Virginia minister placed on leave for denying a gay man membership in his church last winter. (story)

365gay.com/Newscon05/12/120805methodist.htm