As the special General Conference of the United Methodist Church was held in St. Louis in February, many waited for a definite decision about the denomination’s governing policies about the ordination of LGBT individuals as well as same-sex unions in UM Churches. A narrow margin vote reinforcing aspects of what would be considered discrimination around sexual identity in other settings was concerning, but not the end of the story. For many Methodists it as the spark for more advocacy, action, and open resistance around the 51-year-old branch of the two century-old Methodist movement.
This winter, many UMC congregations were perhaps confused or disappointed. However, the vote did not change many churches in any way overnight. Many United Methodists who already practice welcoming and participation by LGBTQIA+ members and visitors are recharged to enhance not only welcoming by full inclusion for all despite the official policy of the denomination.
In the Pittsburgh area, for example, two congregations are leading the example of inclusion as the city’s only members of the national Reconciling Ministries Network.
In Shadyside, First United Methodist Church has been a leader in inclusion and as the first regional member of the RMN. In addition, the church has been connect to critical HIV and AIDS related support via hosting of Shepherd Wellness Community events.
Across town in Allegheny West, Calvary United Methodist Church become the first new RMN member nationally in 2019, joining its historically sister church as a role model for congregations finding their way toward appropriate welcoming and inclusion for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The two churches happen to be celebrating a joint 125 anniversary this year, so their journey as Methodists takes on new significance given the confusion over the UMC’s identity.
Tracy Merrick leads the Western Pennsylvania Reconciling Ministries group of any UMC congregations that declare all individuals are indeed welcome and should be included. He explains, “The expectation is that affirming churches will be advocates for the equality of LGBTQIA+ people in the world around them and will fully include them in the life of the church. In affirming settings, LGBTQIA+ and straight people will have equal opportunities – with no exceptions!”
He admits there is much confusion as indeed no decisions in the winter UMC special conference are in any way final. Indeed, a late April UMC convening examined the “constitutionality” of the February vote which, by a narrow margin, maintained both the ordination and wedding policies. As the structure of the UMC is mirrored about the U.S. government, procedures follow a political style, hence the “constitution”–The Book of Discipline which states: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching” (para 161G).
Merrick says, “The presence of this sentence in the United Methodist Book of Discipline makes it impossible for The United Methodist Church to say that it truly affirms LGBTQIA+ people.”
So Merrick and other Methodists who wish to see this language removed consistently explore the words of the other book on which the denomination’s social justice and faith tenets are based, the Bible. Claiming the Promise, featured in the RNM website, is a recommended study and resource tool for both individuals and churches seeking answers to the questions some say the Bible raises about full inclusion.
Merrick stresses that the experience of LGBT visitors and members varies from church to church. For travelers and residents of a particular region, he recommends those seeking a welcoming and affirming UMC setting use the directory on the national RMN.
Merrick stresses that the experience of LGBT visitors and members varies from church to church. For travelers and residents of a particular region, he recommends those seeking a welcoming and affirming UMC setting use the directory on the national RMN.
In many regional churches that are affirming settings, LGBTQIA+ and straight people participate in broad aspects of worship and leadership in roles including music directors, singers, communion servers, and volunteers in administrative roles.
Merrick, who works closely with regional UMC clergy and laity sorting the denominations official policies from congregational practice. His group of clergy and laity–which includes some LGBT congregants–is now active on ways to empower Methodists for reacting and resisting.
“Churches which affirm LGBTQIA+ people love them and embrace them, just as they love and embrace straight members of the community of faith,” Merrick says. He considers affirming settings as ones that provide an environment where both LGBTQIA+ and straight folks should feel comfortable being open and authentic about their own families and roles in their congregations.
“They can sit together, hold hands, serve together, talk openly about their life together, have their children baptized,” Merrick says, confirming that those attending RMN member churches. “The expectation is that affirming churches will be advocates for the equality of LGBTQIA+ people in the world around them and will fully include them in the life of the church.”
Ordination in the UMC does remain a sticking point as some LGBT pastors who have stepped out or been outed have suffered varied consequences. That doesn’t mean that non-straight clergy
will not be heard from some UMC pulpits in churches committed to full inclusion.
Merrick contends what many in committed affirming settings believe that “LGBTQIA+ and straight people will have equal opportunities – with no exceptions. It is not enough to simply welcome LGBTQIA+ people to worship services! The expectation is that LGBTQIA+ people will be affirmed and fully integrated as equal participants in the life of the church. Thankfully, some United Methodist congregations are very affirming, welcoming, and safe communities of faith for LGBTQIA+ and straight people!”
On March 22, members and clergy of many Pittsburgh area congregations gathered for a special service at Calvary UMC and streamed on the Calvary Facebook page. There were personal stories from LGBTQIA+ Methodists from throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area indeed affirmed that the journey may not be easy but that faith directs on many pathways. Joint choirs and speakers from more than a half dozen UMC churches witnessed to the power of faith, resilience, and resistance.
Merrick confirms what participating and long-term Methodists know–there is much discussion, prayer and strategy informing the path for UMC congregations. There are indeed too many options to details on these pages, but there are many resources for the curious, the confused, and those who simply want to know what churches will be a good fit for visiting around travel, the holidays, or at any time. In addition, questions directed via online messages, email or phone will be readily answered.