The United Methodist Church, with over 10 million members, condemns homosexual persons by calling all sexual activity between people of the same gender as "incompatible with Christian teachings." The denomination also forbids its ministers from performing both marriages and commitmitment ceremonies for same-gender couples. Additionally, United Methodist Church doctrine bans "self-avowed practing homosexuals" from the clergy.
Recent Off-Site Articles:
United Methodist News Service article:
United Methodist bishops affirm church membership open to all
United Methodist Judicial Council’s decision:
Review of Bishop’s Decisions of law in the Virginia Annual Conference Related to the Authority of a Pastor under Paragraphs 214 and 225 of the 2004 Discipline to Exercise Judgment in Determining Who May Be Received into Membership in the Local Church
A Pastoral Letter to the People of The United Methodist Church from the Council of Bishops
Action Alert from Methodist Federation for Social Action
Resources:
Gil Caldwell: The United Methodist Church, it’s deja vu all over again [pdf]
History of Policies on Homosexuality in the United Methodist Church
Soulforce Actions:
2008 Ft. Worth – United Methodist General Conference
The Trial of United Methodist Minister Rev. Beth Stroud
2004 Pittsburgh – United Methodist General Conference
The Trial of United Methodist Minister Rev. Karen Dammann
2000 Cleveland – United Methodist General Conference
The Trial of United Methodist Minister Rev. Jimmy Creech
Related Sites:
Reconciling Ministries Network
www.rmnetwork.org
Welcome One Another – Petition to Oppose Church Court Ruling Closing United Methodist Doors to LGBT members
www.welcomeoneanother.org