CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their first legislative gathering in five years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.
After a day off on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church resumed their work Monday and will be meeting all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday
They’ve already begun making historic changes: On Thursday, delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the first time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to fit local situations.
That measure — subject to local ratification votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
Xiplomacy: Xi's APEC Visit Signifies Hope for ChinaChina, Singapore to implement 30All missing found in boat accident that kills 12China, Singapore to implement 30China's homeXiplomacy: Xi's APEC Visit Signifies Hope for ChinaHi, ConfuciusVietnam mulls own territorial line in Tonkin Gulf — Radio Free AsiaChina endeavors to keep ancient city of Pingyao aliveGiant rice in north China to enter harvest season in October
3.1835s , 6501.0703125 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by United Methodists prepare for votes on lifting LGBTQ bans and other issues at General Conference ,Earthly Exploits news portal