The United Methodist Church made history on Wednesday by removing its longstanding ban on ordaining gay clergy, marking a significant shift in policy that had already been taking place in practice. The decision, which had prompted the departure of a quarter of its U.S. congregations in recent years, was formalized during a meeting of Methodist leaders in Charlotte, N.C.
Delegates overwhelmingly voted to overturn the 40-year-old ban on “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” without debate, as part of a package of measures that had strong support at the committee level. The meeting also saw a vote to prevent local leaders from penalizing clergy or churches for holding or declining to hold same-sex weddings. Further votes on affirming LGBTQ inclusion in the church are expected before the meeting adjourns on Friday.
The move to end the ban on gay clergy applies to the global church, but regionalization means that it may primarily affect churches in the United States. The United Methodist Church, the second-largest Protestant denomination in the nation, has seen a decline in membership in recent years, with 5.4 million Methodists in the U.S. in 2022.
The decision to lift the ban on ordaining gay clergy follows years of turmoil within the denomination over sexuality. In 2019, Methodists had voted to tighten restrictions on same-sex marriages and gay and lesbian clergy, leading to conservative congregations departing in anticipation of the loosening of strictures around homosexuality.
The mood at the meeting after the vote was described as jubilant, with many celebrating the historic moment of inclusivity in the church. The Rev. Laceye Warner, a professor at Duke Divinity School and ordained minister in the denomination, expressed joy at the decision, calling it a significant step towards being a truly inclusive church.
The vote to end the ban on gay clergy and same-sex weddings is seen as a renewal movement within the United Methodist Church, with many members and leaders expressing relief and gratitude for the historic moment. The decision is expected to have a lasting impact on the denomination and its approach to LGBTQ inclusion.
