A Moment of Hope

The hurtful words are gone.

Yesterday and this afternoon, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church (the legislative body that decides the beliefs and rules of our denomination) voted to remove language that demeaned and invalidated LGBTQ+ persons, that prohibited LGBTQ+ clergy, and that made officiating a same-sex wedding a chargeable offense, from the Book of Discipline (our book of polity). These statements and rules are no more- and the vote tally was incredible, with more than 93% voting to make the changes.

Some of these statements and rules have been part of our denomination since 1972. Generations of faithful United Methodists, clergy and lay, have tried to correct this with only heartbreak to show for it— until today.

I am grateful our congregation didn’t wait for today— by choosing to be a reconciling congregation. So while this doesn’t change how our congregation lives and serves, it is a blessing to see the denomination follow suit. This movement of the Spirit in our denomination is the result of God working through incredible people across six decades.

I am grateful to the members of our congregation in the LGBTQIA+ community for staying United Methodist, even when we failed you. I know our work is not done, as we seek to tend to the harm done to so many in and outside the Church.

These votes do not mean every United Methodist is of the same mind. It does, however, invite us to be of one heart in celebrating God’s love for all people.

This is a moment of hope and possibility for the “people called Methodist.” Thanks be to God.

Serving alongside you,

Rev Brad