The main governing body of the United Methodist Church, the General Conference, met in Charlotte, North Carolina, from April 23-May 3, 2024. The meaning of the phrase “the devil is in the details” is nowhere more apparent than in the outcomes of the conference.
Of course, members of the UMC–now branding themselves as the New UMC–won’t see it that way, but from the perspective of traditional Wesleyan Methodists, evil ran amok at the General Conference. Here’s a summary of some of notable actions that run counter to traditional Methodist values:
Married or partnered gays and lesbians may now be ordained as clergy, appointed as pastors, and consecrated as bishops.
Pastors may perform same-sex weddings and churches may host such services.
Pastors may not be penalized for performing same-sex weddings, nor may they be penalized for refusing to perform them.
But wait–there’s more (summarized from the People Need Jesus answer sheet).
The overall position of the UMC on abortion is now pro-choice. The General Conference approved a petition affirming a right to abortion and pledging “solidarity with those who seek reproductive health care.”
Church funds can now be used to promote homosexuality. “The General Commission on Archives and History has already announced the formation of a new ‘Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage’ using apportionment dollars.”
“In the first such action by a major Christian denomination, the General Conference voted divestment from Israel bonds. Approved Petition 20554-CC-R6111-G calls on the UMC to lobby the U.S. government to end military aid to Israel.”
When the UMC was created in 1968, the idea was to eliminate racial segregation in the church, and, according to its own website, to form “a body united in the goal to make disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Contrary to what the UMC asserts, there is no longer a United Methodist Church–the General Conference approved regionalization. In other words, while there will still be a single Book of Discipline, each of the seven regions of the worldwide UMC will be able to adapt or amend parts of the Discipline to reflect regional customization.
What will the United Methodist Church look like in the future? Frankly, my dear, I don’t…think that the UMC in the United States will exist much longer. As of January, 2024, 7500+ congregations–over 25%–officially disaffiliated from the UMC. That figure does not include congregations (like mine) which were unable to disaffiliate, but left the UMC anyway.
I don’t wish harm upon the United Methodist Church. My prayer is that their eyes will be opened. The New UMC’s progressive views–on issues such as the interpretation of Scripture, human sexuality, abortion, and the definition of sin–have harmed the universal Christian church. The United Methodist Church has hammered one more nail into its coffin. And John Wesley is rolling over in his.
“He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with His winnowing fork. Then He will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into His barn, but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” (Matthew 3:12)
“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” (Matthew 25:31-33)
“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
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Divesting from our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel, huh? Good luck with that, UMC! Genesis 12:2-4 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Apparently, for the General Conference, God had simply been wrong when he prohibited homosexual activity (Leviticus 18:22), or changed his mind, despite Malachi 3:6, “For I am the Lord; I change not.” The General Conference must have missed the words of Jesus, who said, in Matthew, Chapter 5:
Perhaps the General Conference believe that they are now smarter or wiser than God?