UMC's position on homosexuality?

[Hungree]

I am not trying to start a debate. So after I get my answer this thread can be closed if the mods want it to be. I am just wondering what (if) the UMC's official stance on homosexuality is.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Linnis]

I have no idea, I attend a free Methodist church and we have several homosexual people that I know of. Nobody's trying to convert them or anything because when it comes down to it, their walk with Christ is their's alone.

my two cents.

 

[Origen]

I am just wondering what (if) the UMC's official stance on homosexuality is.

Hungree, here is some information straight from UMC.org.

Human Sexuality

Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth. All persons need the ministry and guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm that God's grace is available to all, and we will seek to live together in Christian community. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.

http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1728
Book of Disciple: Social Principles: The Nurturing Community: Human Sexuality




Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation

Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons.

We see a clear issue of simple justice in protecting their rightful claims where they have shared material resources, pensions, guardian relationships, mutual powers of attorney, and other such lawful claims typically attendant to contractual relationships that involve shared contributions, responsibilities, and liabilities, and equal protection before the law.

Moreover, we support efforts to stop violence and other forms of coercion against gays and lesbians. We also commit ourselves to social witness against the coercion and marginalization of former homosexuals.

http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1753
Book of Disciple: Social Principles: The Social Community : Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation

And:

Other related statements include:
http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1324

Regarding church membership

¶ 4. Article IV. Inclusiveness of the Church

The United Methodist Church is a part of the church universal, which is one Body in Christ. The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status,4 or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection.5 In The United Methodist Church no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member or any constituent body of the Church because of race, color, national origin, status or economic condition.6
4. Amended 1992.
5. Amended 2000.
6. See Judicial Council Decisions 242, 246, 340, 351, 362, 377, 398, 594, 601, and Decisions 4 and 5, Interim Judicial Council.


¶ 214. Eligibility

The United Methodist Church is a part of the holy catholic (universal) church, as we confess in the Apostles' Creed. In the church, Jesus Christ is proclaimed and professed as Lord and Savior. All people may attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments and become members in any local church in the connection (¶ 4). In the case of persons whose disabilities prevent them from reciting the vows, their legal guardian, themselves members in full covenant relationship with God and the Church, the community of faith, may recite the appropriate vows on their behalf.


Regarding the ministry of the ordained

¶304.3

While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals1 are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.2
1. "Self-avowed practicing homosexual" is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, board of ordained ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual. See Judicial Council Decisions 702, 708, 722, 725, 764, 844.
2. See Judicial Council Decisions 984, 985.

¶ 341.6

Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.

Regarding the General Council on Finance and Administration

¶806.9

[The General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church] shall be responsible for ensuring that no board, agency, committee, commission, or council shall give United Methodist funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality. The council shall have the right to stop such expenditures. This restriction shall not limit the Church’s ministry in response to the HIV epidemic.

 

[CowboyDan]

We are more Moderate on homosexuals than most denominations. We view that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings, however we do not discriminate because God loves everyone.

-CowboyDan

 

[HeatherJay]

** MOD NOTE **

It's going good so far, guys. Just wanted to remind everyone that this thread needs to remain confined to doctrine only. Any discussion and debate of homosexuality will need to be moved to another forum. Thanks.

 

[Ron_the_Nazarene]

The Nazarene church takes the stance that the homosexual, although loved by God, is not living in the will of God. However, Jesus is in the business of forgiving sin and changing lives.

 

[HeatherJay]

Closing thread per the request of the OP.