In 2005 a United Methodist pastor refused membership in the church to a person on the basis that the man was a homosexual. His decision was ultimately upheld by the church's highest court.
The United Methodist Church's stands on ordination of homosexuals and unions of gay couples have become a focus of disagreement across the denomination. While the denomination's Book of Discipline describes homosexuals as people of sacred worth, it also says that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. "Self-avowed practicing homosexuals" are barred from ordination, and clergy are prohibited from performing liturgical blessings of homosexuals.
Disagreement about these stands has become so polarized that it has led some to question whether the church can accommodate opposing views--and even to suggest formal division.
At the 2004 General Conference, an informal, unsigned paper circulated that proposed an approach to dividing the church. Conference delegates followed up by passing a resolution affirming the unity of the church.
The goal of this session is to engage participants in a controversial and yet important question in the life of the church. It is hoped that a conversation will emerge that acknowledges a number of our usual assumptions about the issue of homosexuality. This conversation will benefit from a close reading of relevant Scripture passages and statements from the United Methodist Book of Discipline. Finally, the conversation will be framed by a reflection on our call to welcome gay and lesbian persons into the church, as an extension of God's grace, available to all.