Denomination Updates

We are living through tumultuous times as United Methodists. The past five years have brought significant conflict and change to our denomination, and we expect that this process will continue for several years to come. At the heart of the debate is our denomination’s stance on the issue of same-sex marriage. We have always affirmed that every person is of sacred worth, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. However, we have not affirmed the practice of homosexuality, and therefore have not allowed the performing of same-sex marriages by our clergy or within our churches. Over the past ten years, this position has been increasingly challenged by churches and pastors within the United States, resulting in a denominational split. For a brief timeline of how we arrived at this point, you can read more here.

Within our congregation, some uphold a traditional understanding of marriage as being between a man and a woman, and some advocate for full inclusion and affirmation of same-sex marriage. We chose not to vote upon disaffiliation, but also have pledged to continue to abide by our denominational standards (contained in The Book of Discipline) until they are amended by a General Conference (next scheduled for April 23-May 3, 2024). If you would like to read our denomination’s current stance on same-sex marriage, click here.

General Conference Updates

Leading up to and during the 2024 General Conference in Charlotte, NC, April 23-May 3, we will share updates and ways you can pray for the conference delegates. For a more in-depth look at all things General Conference, you may also follow along at The United Methodist Church’s website.

April 23 Wrap Up - Learn More

What is a General Conference Delegate?

Sermons

Pastor Dave has addressed this topic with our congregation multiple times over the past few years. Below are links to two particular sermons—one delivered in March 2019 following the “St. Louis Conference” in which the current Traditionalist plan passed; the second delivered in February 2023 when he shared our decision not to seek disaffiliation. In both sermons, Pastor Dave outlined four “agreements” that will hold us together as we navigate this season:

  1. We agree that there is room for Christians to faithfully disagree on the issue of same-sex marriage.

  2. We agree that we will not allow our disagreement on this issue to turn us into enemies of one another.

  3. We agree that we will love and accept all who come in our doors, regardless of whose hand they are holding.

  4. We agree that we will keep Christ at the center of all we do, striving to live out the Great Commandment to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Two Viewpoints

Over the past four years, our pastors have offered multiple classes helping our church members to better understand how traditionalists and progressives interpret the Bible. A current class is being offered on Tuesday nights, starting January 30, 2024, from 6:30-8:00pm, led by Pastor Dave and our lay leader, Kyle Wietholter. Contact Pastor Dave at dwilliamson@zumc.org if interested in joining the class. While it is highly encouraged to attend a class to get a deeper understanding of all the issues involved, Pastor Dave (in consultation with pastors who hold differing viewpoints) has developed this summary of how each side approaches the issue of same-sex marriage.

Two Views on Same-Sex Marriage

Articles

Since the launch of the Global Methodist Church in April 2022, our denomination has undergone radical shifts. To better understand how disaffiliation has reshaped our denomination, here are two article.

There have been numerous videos and articles circulating on social media, alleging that United Methodists no longer believe in the authority of Scripture or the divinity of Christ. While there may be differences in how traditionalists and progressives interpret Scripture, we all affirm the central role that Scripture plays in helping us to understand who God is and how God desires us to live as His people. Here is an article that summarizes the core beliefs that will continue to shape United Methodism. A vision of new United Methodism (umnews.org)

Legislation

One of the most significant pieces of legislation that will come before the 2024 General Conference is the question of “regionalization.” This plan would reorganize the global United Methodist Church into various “regions,” each of which would have its own Book of Discipline, while the General Conference into which all regional conferences connect would likewise maintain its own Book of Discipline for doctrinal standards which would be shared across the global connection. Many feel that this legislation is an important precursor to any vote on LGBTQ+ issues so that each region can self-determine its stance according to its cultural context. (It is possible that the 2024 General Conference would focus entirely on this issue of regionalization, and then the 2026 General Conference would focus on those portions of the Book of Discipline that directly address the question of same-sex marriage.)

In general, Progressives and Centrists support the idea of regionalization, as it would allow each region to adapt the Book of Discipline independently of one another. Traditionalists in general oppose the idea of regionalization, arguing that our Book of Discipline must maintain a global standard around key doctrinal issues (like marriage). 

To better understand the debate around this important piece of legislation, here are two articles (one in favor of regionalization, the other opposed).