Key Points
- Despite the significant departure of traditionalist congregations from the United Methodist Church (UMC), a study reveals that 24% of the remaining North Carolina clergy still oppose the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ individuals within the denomination.
- The UMC is facing ongoing debates over LGBTQ inclusion, with upcoming discussions scheduled to reconsider existing doctrines that are seen as restrictive towards LGBTQ members.
- The findings underscore a continuing ideological diversity within the UMC, contrary to the expectation that the denomination would become uniformly progressive after the departures.
A recent study from Duke University’s Religion and Social Change Lab highlights a complex picture of ideological diversity within the remaining clergy of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in North Carolina, despite a large exodus of traditionalist congregations. The research found that a significant minority, 24% of clergy, still holds traditional views opposing the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ individuals. This comes in the wake of about 7,600 U.S. churches leaving the UMC, which amounted to 25% of its American congregations. The remaining clergy and congregations display a mix of political and theological beliefs, with many still aligning more conservatively on social issues than might be expected. The study also notes the upcoming UMC General Conference, which will address human sexuality topics and potentially amend doctrinal statements on LGBTQ inclusion.
The Roys Report reports:
After a four-year COVID-19 delay, and the departure of about 7,600 U.S.-based churches — a loss accounting for 25% of all its U.S. congregations — the denomination is likely to reconsider the issue of human sexuality when it convenes its top legislative body April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Among its agenda items will be removing restrictive LGBTQ passages from the rule book, the Book of Discipline, which views homosexuality as ‘incompatible with Christian teaching’ and forbids ordaining LGBTQ clergy or allowing clergy to officiate at same-sex weddings in the church.
Overall, the Duke report finds that disaffiliating North Carolina clergy were much more politically and theologically conservative than remaining clergy. Some 85% of clergy who left the denomination disagreed with the notion that “all religious leadership positions should be open to people in same-sex relationships.”
Those leaving clergy members tended to be more homogeneous in their beliefs and to lead somewhat smaller and more rural churches. Nearly all (94%) of leaving clergy were white. More than a fourth of leaving clergy — 26% — were licensed local pastors, meaning they were not ordained and had less advanced ministerial training.
| Themes | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Ideological Diversity | Reflects a broad spectrum of beliefs within the UMC, potentially enriching the theological dialogue. | This may lead to conflicts and division within congregations and the broader church community. |
| Inclusivity Efforts | Efforts to amend restrictive doctrines could make the church more welcoming to LGBTQ individuals. | Resistance from conservative members could stall or block these initiatives, causing further polarization. |
| Church Unity | Promotes a discussion on unity and diversity within the church. | Persistent disagreements over core doctrines may challenge the overall unity and cooperation within the UMC. |
Questions to Consider
- How might the ideological diversity within the UMC affect its policies and approach toward inclusivity in the long term?
- What are the potential consequences for the UMC if the General Conference fails to amend its current doctrines regarding LGBTQ individuals?
- How can the UMC balance traditional theological perspectives with the growing calls for inclusivity and recognition of LGBTQ rights?
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