The United Methodist Church (UMC) had a momentous global meeting last year (2024), with the major outcome of allowing—or at least not preventing or taking action against—performing same-sex marriages and ordaining non-celibate gay leaders in the church. Methodists around the world have WIDE disagreements on how they even interpret this outcome, much less what they should do about it.

This conflict is as much about church unity and governance as it is about LGBTQ rights and people—but of course they’re wrapped up together. You might recognize yourself and your own Christian denomination in the UMC’s 40+ years of conversations on these topics. Church unity is hard, folks.

Last year, we talked to two members of the UMC to hear their perspectives: a U.S.-based seminary student pursuing ordination with the UMC, and a bishop in UMC leadership in Liberia.

This is Part 1 of 2. Part 2 can be found here: https://newkinship.substack.com/p/59-the-united-methodist-church-lifts

It’s so important to take the time to listen to each other as we examine our own convictions. Please join us in listening with care for our Christian siblings around the world.

About Our Guest:

Joe Meinholz is currently a seminarian at Duke Divinity School pursuing ordination in the United Methodist Church. He grew up farming in Ho Chunk land (Southern Wisconsin) and is an aspiring community organizer, pastor, water protector, and lover of Jesus.

—

Note: This episode uses the terms “Side A” and “Side B” (and X, Y) as shorthand quite a bit. If you’re new to the conversation, you might find it helpful to check out episode #3, where we talk through the four “sides”: ⁠#3 - A-B-Y-X | 4 Sides on SSA/Gay Sexuality⁠

—

★ Timestamps

00:00 #58 - The United Methodist Church Lifts Ban on Gay Marriage: Polity and Progress with Joe Meinholz (Part 1 of 2 on the UMC)

01:32 Polity: How the United Methodist Church denomination governs itself

08:38 1972-today: UMC's history of LGBT marriage and theology

12:51 2019-today: Making paths for "disaffiliation"

20:32 Rulings from the 2024 UMC general conference: A more neutral position?

27:17 The Global Methodist Church": A new denomination of disaffiliated churches

29:00 Moving toward regional meetings of equals

36:19 The fruit of our united front: Must we align on social principles?

40:51 If you were Methodist, would YOU have disaffiliated?

51:19 What does "church unity" mean? Can we disagree on sexuality?

57:17 Wrapping up, looking forward

—

★ Links and References

The Other Significant Others by Rhaina Cohen

A recent letter from the African Bishops: www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/africa-umc-bishops-statement-2024-18627021

Comments from the Africa Initiative: peopleneedjesus.net/2024/05/24/africa-initiative-united-methodism-in-africa-is-not-for-sale-to-western-cultural-christianity/

One author on “ubuntu”: https://um-insight.net/general-conference/a-way-forward/ubuntu/

—

★ Send us feedback, questions, comments, and support!

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @newkinship | Substack: @newkinship | Patreon: @newkinship

—

★ Credits

Creators and Hosts: David Frank, TJ Espinoza | Audio Engineer: Carl Swenson, carlswensonmusic.com | Podcast Manager: Elena F. | Graphic Designer: Gavin Popken, gavinpopkenart.com ★

Get full access to New Kinship at newkinship.substack.com/subscribe