The United Methodist Church could face a 'seismic shift' if next week's business session approves sweeping measures to relax long-held denominational restrictions and policies on homosexuality, an outgoing leader said Wednesday.
Outgoing United Methodist leader predicts fallout if LGBTQ rules relaxed at upcoming meetingThe United Methodist Church could face a “seismic shift” if next week’s business session approves sweeping measures to relax long-held denominational restrictions and policies on homosexuality, an outgoing leader said Wednesday.
The majority of the departing congregations wanted to retain the established rules that bar gays from ordained ministry and prohibit same-sex marriage, while progressives have for years sought change. The conflict has led to lawsuits over who owns church properties and demands from some local conferences — the equivalent of a diocese — that departing congregations pay millions of dollars as an “exit fee” in order to retain church facilities they had previously built and paid for.
A total of 95 active and retired bishops attended Mr. Bickerton’s presentation, held in advance of the 10-day business session beginning Tuesday.
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