David Gura speaks wh Rev. Kimberly Stt about last week's meetg of the Uned Methodist Church's Council of Bishops and s impedg vote on whether to orda gay pastors.
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UNED METHODIST NSERVATIV TAIL BREAKAWAY PLANS OVER GAY CLN
The Church “implor fai and church not to reject or nmn lbian and gay members and iends.
Homosexualy was first openly bated at General Conference 1972, four years after the formatn of The Uned Methodist Church, rultg the addn of first statement on homosexualy. While affirmg belief that persons of homosexual orientatn are persons of sacred worth who need the mistry and guidance of the church, the statement add that the church “do not ndone the practice of homosexualy and nsirs this practice patible wh Christian teachg. Sce that time, the church has mataed the posn that “the practice of homosexualy is patible wh Christian teachg.
Based on the posns about homosexual practice and marriage, the Church has also mataed rtrictns regardg clergy. Pastors may not be “self-avowed, practicg homosexuals” and may not nduct ceremoni that celebrate same-sex weddgs or unns. Wh a body of over 12 ln members globally, Uned Methodists are not of one md about how to be mistry wh lbian, gay, bisexual, transgenr and queer people.