As United Methodists talk of splitting over gay equality, top bishop pleads for unity

[left-of-center2012]

Source: Washington Post

Amid reports that United Methodist leaders are considering dividing over LGBT equality disputes, the denomination’s top bishop on Tuesday asked members to recommit to remaining together, even though he described their community as having a “broken heart” and in the views of many being “out of time.”

United Methodists, the third-largest faith group in the United States, have been talking for years about splitting as conservative wings from Africa and Asia become far more numerous than the relatively liberal American church. Pressure has grown since same-sex marriage started to become legal, meaning more pastors are performing such weddings for congregants — or coming out themselves — and traditional members are pushing for more accountability to United Methodist law and even for trials of pastors who violate it.

The group of leaders who had been meeting privately reportedly discussed breaking into conservative, moderate and progressive communities.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/05/17/united-methodist-church-to-respond-to-rumors-that-is-about-to-split/

[LS_Editor]

1. It's time for them to break up.

Very different societies.

[closeupready]

2. Unite ... in hatred? Don't think so.

[jtuck004]

3. How the hell are you gonna teach kid's hate if you cooperate? I mean, look at

your own country. United...

[dembotoz]

4. as a former evangelical united brethern a shift to the right would be a deal breaker

my mom a much better church member than i ever was or will be.....
was always most proud of the local church being openly inclusive.

the eub church which became united methodist made me as lefty as i am

and that ain't gonna change

[left-of-center2012]

5. "the eub church which became united methodist"

"On April 23, 1968, the United Methodist Church was created when the Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church joined hands at the constituting General Conference in Dallas, Texas."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Methodist_Church

At the time, my uncle was a Methodist Bishop.

[dembotoz]

7. as an eub we felt more swallowed than hands joined

[gopiscrap]

6. I was a Certified Lay Minister in the UMC

and I presided over the second same sex marriage in Pierce County once the state of Washington voted in Marriage Equality. I don't what the denomination says, my heart said DO IT!!!