Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

AverageOldGuy

(2,169 posts)
16. The United Methodist Church went through this over the past few years.
Thu Oct 31, 2024, 08:44 PM
Oct 31

The UMC Book of Discipline says homosexuality is not compatible with our beliefs. For years the UMC has wrestled with this.

It’s a long story but eventually those who wanted to retain the prohibition could “disassociate” and go their way. Churches had to decide by Dec 31, 2023. My little rural UMC did not even discuss it, we stayed with the UNITED Methodist Church. Of the eight little Methodist churches in my rural VA county, five disassociated, thanks mainly to the efforts of one MAGAt in one church.

It’s not one year later and already we have gained 15 members from churches that disassociated while one of the disassociated churches has closed, could not afford to stay open, and two others are shaky.

Meanwhile, the UMC is changing the Book of Discipline.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Good, I'm glad to hear the "Big Clean Out" has begun. Think. Again. Oct 31 #1
our church diocese( episcopa)l went through a split in 2007 AllaN01Bear Oct 31 #2
Sounds like your church SomedayKindaLove Oct 31 #3
Love thy neighbor wasn't conditional, like only if they're white. surfered Oct 31 #4
The Methodist church split over LGBT. surfered Oct 31 #5
do you even realize how ridiuclous that sounds Skittles Oct 31 #18
30% is about right across the board. live love laugh Oct 31 #6
yeah ok Skittles Oct 31 #7
Maybe there's other reasons people go to church Hieronymus Phact Oct 31 #8
nope Skittles Oct 31 #11
wow Hieronymus Phact Nov 2 #21
Chances are some people just didn't feel it needed any sort of discussion Warpy Oct 31 #9
We live in the middle of nowhere in a small town in the south. no megachurch there. drray23 Oct 31 #10
There will always be some sourpusses who only went there because it was closest Warpy Nov 1 #19
"Most likely the Klanners had departed .. Wednesdays Oct 31 #13
Your church wasn't rocked. People were rocked when confronted with the wickedness of their beliefs. usonian Oct 31 #12
Offending immorality is righteous! BaronChocula Oct 31 #14
Sounds like the 70% that aren't offended by condemning white supremacy will make a much nicer congregation. MLAA Oct 31 #15
The United Methodist Church went through this over the past few years. AverageOldGuy Oct 31 #16
I am pretty sure that many of you will look around and find that their leaving was a blessing. summer_in_TX Oct 31 #17
I'm so sorry wryter2000 Nov 1 #20
I know I'm a bit late in responding to this. Different Drummer Nov 23 #22
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»Our little episcopal chur...»Reply #16